Behavioral Health Tech

Behavioral Health Technician

Join Vaughan Regional Medical Center in Selma, AL, a 175-bed, Joint Commission–accredited community hospital that serves as a critical healthcare hub in the region. Vaughan delivers a full complement of hospital services, including emergency care, to the Black Belt area of southern Alabama. As part of ScionHealth, Vaughan combines system strength with strong local impact so that you can make your mark where your work truly matters.

The Behavioral Health Technician is responsible for conducting functional analyses of patient behavior, participating as a member of the treatment team, contributing to the master treatment plan, and implementing appropriate interventions from the plan. The Behavioral Health Technician conducts individual and group psychoeducation, leisure activities, and life-skill training and coaching for all patients. The Behavioral Health Technician is responsible for safety monitoring of patients and of the unit.

Essential Functions

• Assumes personal responsibility for maintaining professional development such as BLS and de-escalation training and certification.
• Observes and monitors patient's status according to patient monitoring standards, policies, and procedures. This may include completion of vital signs, weight log, intake and output, dietary intake, Q15 minute behavioral round sheets, admission checklists, or other progress or milieu notes. Reports patient complaints or other concerns in a timely manner.
• Provides verbal and written input to nursing staff via ongoing reporting and end of shift report so patients' needs, and care can be prioritized.
• Demonstrates proficiency and skill in providing care to patients, orienting to the unit, transport, de-escalation, teaching of coping skills, conflict resolution, problem solving skills, assistance with activities of daily living, admission & discharge procedures, response to codes, use of de-escalation techniques and life coaching skills.
• Demonstrates effective on-going observations and evaluation of patient/family response to the interventions, reports changes in condition to the nurse assigned.
• Demonstrates the ability to co-lead patient psycho-educational groups on the unit as well as provide care in a manner that is consistent with the master treatment plan. Takes initiative to ensure that active treatment is occurring on the unit as scheduled and encourages all patients to participate in unit groups and programming.
• Provide timely and accurate information on patients' behaviors and progress to the interdisciplinary team.
• Serves in a Supervisory or Lead role, as requested.
• Conduct individual life coaching, psycho-educational and supportive counseling to assigned patients and in accordance with master treatment plan goals.
• Provide leadership and/or co-leadership of group therapy sessions related to leisure skills, life skills, and psychoeducation.
• Lead and/or actively participate in the management of acute behavioral episodes using approved de-escalation techniques.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities/Expectations

• Ability to adjust to changes in a professional manner.
• Flexibility around working hours to meet patient and unit needs.
• Ability to intervene quickly in an emergency to move patients away from the situation and maintain patient, staff, and personal safety.
• Ability to be involved in a physical escort, hold or restraint to minimize the risk of injury to patients or staff.
• Must adhere to regularly scheduled hours and plan absences in advance to assure the unit staffing and safety.
• Approximate percent of time required to travel: 0%
• Must read, write and speak fluent English.
• Must have good and regular attendance.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• High School Diploma or Equivalent including education equivalent to completion of secondary school or demonstrated ability to perform the essential functions of the role. (Preferred)

Licenses/Certifications

• BCLS - Basic Life Support Upon Hire (Required) And • NCI -Non-violent Crisis Intervention or current program Within Facility-Specified time frame (Required)

Experience

• 1 year of experience working in a psychiatric inpatient setting.