BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TECHNICIAN

Behavioral Health Technician

These are the functions for the Partial Hospitalization Program

Essential Job Functions

• Delivers direct and indirect patient care in accordance with hospital policies, procedures, protocols, and standards of care.
• Performs and/or assists with patient care needs as directed.
• Assists patients with activities of daily living if needed.
• Conducts vitals on patients.
• Conducts timed observation rounding of patients on the unit, based upon the patient's identified level of risk.
• Collects, documents, and reports ongoing patient care data as directed.
• Interacts with assigned patients, makes pertinent observations of patients' behaviors, reports and records same.
• Remains with and observes assigned patients in a one-to-one situation if necessary.
• Demonstrates good interview techniques with phone contacts/patient/family/significant others and documents accordingly.
• Accompany patients off the unit for testing as needed.

Assists in developing an educational process for the provision and coordination of patient care activities that promote and maintain health, foster self-care, and improve outcomes.

• Reports to R.N. information regarding the patient's readiness to learn.
• Plans and initiates patients' activities.
• Facilitates groups as requested.
• Documents observations in group/activity sessions.

Demonstrates leadership by utilizing the behaviors inherent to the role of Behavioral Health Technician.

• Demonstrates an ability to solve problems utilizing critical thinking skills and seeks assistance from immediate supervisor when appropriate.
• Demonstrates knowledge of chain of command; refers patient questions/requests information to appropriate supervisor.
• Effectively functions as a resource person.
• Acts as patient advocate.

Assists in the department's compliance with state, JCAHO, OSHA, and other regulatory agencies.

• Assists in preparation for inspection and surveys.
• Conducts audits to ensure compliance and quality care as directed
• Adheres to the infection control process, including standard precautions, to reduce the risk of acquiring or transmitting infections.
• Participates in preparation for inspections, surveys and audits.
• Participates in ongoing unit performance improvement activities.
• Completes and documents follow up phone calls to patients and/or their families who have been discharged from the Emergency Department.

Provides and participates in educational activities.

• Provides and documents patient/family education.
• Participates in staff education, both as participant and presenter.
• Makes recommendations for staff development.
• Serves on hospital committees and participates in other related projects as directed.
• Precept new Behavioral Health technician staff on the unit and in the Emergency Department.

Process psychiatric emergencies.

• Assesses the severity of guest's presenting condition.
• Completes Evidence Based Tools to screen and assess for patient's risk of Suicide.
• Utilizes clinical expertise in collaboration with Emergency Department and Psychiatric team members to assign patient's levels of risk.
• Works collaboratively with Nursing Staff to an effective comprehensive crisis resolution.
• Works collaboratively with all Emergency Departments of Independence Health System to facilitate effective resolution of behavioral health issues.
• Obtains authorization/reauthorization/certifications as appropriate for ongoing treatment

Demonstrates a working knowledge of the Mental Health Procedures Act.

Works collaboratively with the Emergency Department and Behavioral Health treatment team to affect an effective comprehensive crisis solution.

• Communicates pertinent information of actual/potential problems to the professional staff.
• Communicates pertinent information at shift reports and during internal and external transfers.
• Consults with the Psychiatrist all clinical screening and assessment information after completion of the clinical interview of the patient and/or family in the Emergency Department.
• Consults with the Psychiatrist and Charge Nurse about incoming bed search requests.
• Conducts bed searches to facilitate patient transfers to other Behavioral Health Inpatient facilities.
• Consults with Psychiatrist and Emergency Department Physician on the need for admission to a higher level of care.
• Assists in development of the treatment plans and caring plans for patients being discharged from the Emergency Department.
• Conducts groups on the unit when available.
• Completes Positive Coping Plans for patients who are being discharged to home on the Acute Medical floors following Psychiatric consultations for suicide risk.

Provides for patient safety in compliance with hospital and nursing department policies.

• Utilizes two forms of patient identification before implementing any form of patient care.
• Assumes appropriate code team role during code situations or mock codes.
• Responds effectively during emergency situations, including internal and external disasters.
• Assists in maintaining a safe and clean environment for patients, visitors and staff.
• Supports limited use of restraints in accordance with established standards and documents according to policies.
• Oversees that sufficient and proper supplies are maintained on an assigned unit.
• Monitors sterile supplies for expiration date and replaces as needed.
• Distributes and maintains a sufficient supply of linens in assigned patient care areas.
• Replenishes daily/weekly unit stock from appropriate departments, i.e., CSR, storeroom.
• Cleans supplies and unit-maintained equipment.
• Checks patient belongings for contraband and logs in on Patient/Valuable/Belongings sheet.
• Performs patient observations per unit policy. Performs unit safety checks, including room checks, per unit policy.

Understands and utilizes principles of non-violent crisis intervention.

• Observes patients for increase in agitation and reports to RN for early intervention.
• Assists as needed in handling, restraining and secluding agitated patients using the least restrictive means.
• Assists in establishing control of the patient who is awaiting disposition from the Emergency Department.
• Knows how to use panic button and how to call security for assistance as needed.

Utilizes Crisis Intervention skills.

• Provides crisis intervention utilization prescribed departmental procedure and recognized best practice techniques.
• Documents services provided according to department and regulatory agencies.
• Obtains authorizations/reauthorizations for treatment.
• Completes activity logs as requested.

Completes patient assessments and facilitates legal processes.

• Interviews patients/families/significant others at time of initial presentation to complete psychosocial history and assessment.
• Documents clinical activities within established time frames according to department, hospital and regulatory agency standards.
• In collaboration with guest and the service team, establishes appropriate recovery-based goals.
• Assists with educating patients and families on all issues related to crisis intervention and resolution.
• Consults with Independence Health System staff, when requested, on all issues and concerns related to the Mental Health Procedures Act
• Facilitates involuntary and voluntary commitments in the Emergency Room and on Acute Medical floors, with assistance from the County delegate as needed.
• Attends involuntary commitment hearings.
• May work under the direction of the Crisis Response Center Therapist or RN to communicate and coordinate patient care.

Communicates effectively with patients/peers/families/treatment team/agencies.

• Attends at least 75% of staff meetings.
• Reads and signs off minutes of those not attended. Returns patient/family phone calls and documents.
• Provides peer/treatment team consultation when asked.
• Uses computer as required for email, scheduling, authorizations, insurance tracking. Etc.
• Collaborate with outside agencies to gather patient related clinical information to present to the Physicians and Nursing staff to formulate a plan