Behavioral Health Associate

Behavioral Health Adult Clinic Position

NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan is the community hospital of choice for residents of East Harlem, northern Manhattan, and neighboring communities. The hospital provides culturally-sensitive care in a welcoming and hospitable setting, emphasizing primary care medicine and utilizing the latest advances in medical science. Metropolitan delivers high quality health services with compassion, dignity, and respect to all, without exception. Since its founding in 1875, the hospital has been affiliated with New York Medical College, representing the oldest partnership between a hospital and a private medical school in the United States. Metropolitan is a part of the NYC Health + Hospitals, the largest municipal hospital and health care system in the country. At NYC Health + Hospitals, our mission is to deliver high quality care health services, without exception. Every employee takes a person-centered approach that exemplifies the ICARE values (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence) through empathic communication and partnerships between all persons.

Standard work hours are 37.5 hours from 8:00 A.M to 4:30 P.M.

Purpose of Position: Under direct supervision of a licensed Nurse or other professional medical staff in a health care setting, performs a variety of clerical and health-related essential duties and responsibilities associated with patient care; performs related work.

Examples of Typical Tasks:

• Checks vital signs, weighs, and measures patients, obtains specimens and records findings on patient's chart.
• Instructs patients on how to obtain specimens for laboratory testing and performs basic specimen screening testing through dipstick and hemoccult.
• Prepares collected specimens for pick-up by labeling and preparing required form(s).
• Performs vision and hearing testing and simple urinalysis.
• Administers emergency first aid, including basic life support procedures.
• Performs simple first aid such as dressing changes, bandaging and cleansing of wounds, irrigation and cleansing of ears.
• Prepares patient for examination and assists medical provider during examination by providing necessary supplies/equipment.
• Prepares examination room including cleaning and disinfecting of instruments and equipment.
• Informs patients on proper preparation for various medical testing.
• Interviews patient to obtain routine personal and medical information and appropriate health history.
• Maintains, completes, processes and files patients' charts, appropriate forms and documents.
• Reports observations of patient to clinical staff caring for patient to ensure professional assessment.
• Answers routine inquiries of patients in person or via telephone and makes appropriate referrals.
• Provides information to patients and their families regarding health care services and the achievement of healthy, safe living.
• Maintains inventory of the unit's equipment stock and supplies.
• Works effectively as a team member in the delivery of care and assists in the orientation of new employees.
• Directs and escorts patients to other departments and/or health care settings, as needed.
• Coordinates efforts of various clinic and health care setting departments in scheduling and re-booking appointments through manual and/or automated systems and enters pertinent patient information into the Electronic Medical Record systems.
• Obtains blood specimens for laboratory testing by performing venipuncture and/or fingerstick testing.
• Operates electrocardiograph equipment to record electrical wave tracing of the electrical currents of the heart muscle.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Associate's Degree from an accredited college or university in Criminal Justice, Social Services or a health related discipline; or 2. High School diploma or its educational equivalent, approved by a State's Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization; and one (1) year of full-time experience in law enforcement, nursing or psychiatric/behavioral health in a high volume, intensive care environment. 3. Successful completion of NYC Health + Hospitals training program in the application and use of restraints and seclusion must be completed prior to an individual performing such work. 4. Successful completion of NYC Health + Hospitals training in the performance of vital signs and grooming within ninety (90) calendar days of appointment to the title. 5. Holds or obtains a valid and current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) through the American Heart Association (AHA) within sixty (60) calendar days of appointment to the title.

Department Preferences:

Interpersonal skills: need to be able to collaborate effectively with team. Effective verbal and written communication skills Critical thinking, problem-solving skill: must be able to analyze situations, identify potential problems, and develop appropriate solutions. Strong customer service skills

Benefits:

NYC Health and Hospitals offers a competitive benefits package that includes: Comprehensive Health Benefits for employees hired to work 20+ hrs. per week Retirement Savings and Pension Plans Paid Holidays and Vacation in accordance with employees' Collectively bargained contracts Loan Forgiveness Programs for eligible employees College tuition discounts and professional development opportunities College Savings Program Union Benefits for eligible titles Multiple employee discounts programs Commuter Benefits Programs