Behavioral Health Technician | Bayou Vista

Behavioral Health Technician | Bayou Vista

Odyssey House Louisiana, Inc. is seeking a full-time Behavioral Health Technician for its Adult treatment (Fairview) and Women's and Children Shelter (Claire House). The schedule for this position is 7pm-7am for Fairview and 7am-7pm for Claire House with every other weekend. The Behavioral Health Technician provides direct supervision of clients in treatment. Behavioral Health Technicians work directly with the clients supervising all daily activities. Behavioral Health Technicians are needed for direct client supervision 24 hours and 7 days per week. All Behavioral Health Technicians are expected to work closely with all clinical, medical, and other staff to ensure clients receive comprehensive substance abuse treatment services.

Responsibilities and Duties

It is the duty and responsibility of the Behavioral Health Technician to:

• ensure a safe environment for clients;
• be empathetic and utilize therapeutic communication skill when possible;
• be observant and take steps to redirect a volatile client or situation to include de-escalation of a distressed client;
• observe and document all client behaviors that are unusual or noteworthy;
• assist with therapeutic and recreational activities;
• monitor clients' physical and mental well-being;
• provide input regarding client progress to the interdisciplinary team;
• oversee the activities of the facility when there is no professional staff on duty;
• possess adequate observational skill to assess volatile situations that may result in losing a client or clients;
• function as client advocate at all times;
• monitor clients to ensure their compliance with daily schedules and to ensure their safety at all times;
• manage client resources such as community cigarettes or toiletries, or other items that clients may need while in residence;
• monitor client phone time and make certain all clients have access to the phones in accordance with the schedule;
• assist with any and all emergencies, and work to increase proficiency by familiarizing oneself with all policy and procedures for medical emergencies, weather emergencies, fire exit procedures, and know how to respond to emergency codes when called;
• receive and pass verbal and written feedback to clinical, medical, and other Fairview staff as requested about client activity and behaviors;
• monitor visits with family members, including video conferencing, and report mal-adaptive behaviors to the counselor and other program staff, including the BHT Supervisor and/or Program Manager;
• complete all Incident Reports prior to the end of scheduled shift as required by Incident Policy and Procedure;
• engage and participate in client activities both on and off the main campus as assigned;
• conduct urine drug screens, breathalyzer tests, pregnancy tests, covid tests and vital signs as requested and complete all required documentation once you have passed the competency test for these procedures;
• monitor in-house 12 step meetings whether such meetings are self-led or facilitated by a 3rd party BHT must be present;
• conduct client bed checks every 30 minutes or at alternate intervals as requested by the nurse on duty, including the nurse manager in accordance with client needs;
• document client status on the flow sheet provided in accordance with organizational policy and procedure;
• conduct client transportation in a safe manner, that includes maintaining a sound driving record, maintaining chauffeur's license and following agency policy and procedure as it pertains to client transportation;
• submit shift reports to the BHT Supervisor and/or the Program Manager throughout shift via email as requested;
• contact BHT Supervisor and/or Program Manager in the event of a fire or evacuation of the treatment facility as required;
• demonstrate proficiency in conducting client search of belongings, client security searches including strip and property searches on all new clients as requested and perform strip searches on clients returning to the program from outside activities (NO CAVITY SEARCH);
• assist with other program functions as requested by BHT Supervisor and/or Program Manager including but not limited to transportation and monitoring of the front desk;
• assist with providing clients cigarettes as scheduled per shift requiring staff to be in a smoking area with approximately 50-75 people smoking at one time;
• collect, wash and dry all client bed linen as assigned
• perform all other duties as assigned and required.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum qualifications include the following:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Valid Divers License
• CPI de-escalation training knowledge
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Must be able to work overtime, weekends, holidays, and flexible hours.
• Candidates in recovery must have 2 plus years of sobriety.
• 2 years of Behavioral Health Tech in Acute Psych and substance use disorder treatment experience

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred qualifications include the following:

• Bachelor's Degree in related field (social work, psychology, education)
• 3 plus years of Behavioral Health Tech experience in Acute Psych
• Knowledge of Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholic Anonymous principles

Competitive Compensation and Benefits package includes insurance (health, dental, vision, life, long-term and short-term disability), leave benefits and 401k match.