Behavioral Health Tech

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary:

Responsible for the supervision of all behavioral health technician job functions in the environment and for providing sufficient work crews, off facility trips, and coordination of all activities and functions in the Point Office. Responsible for all interactions with consumers.

Essential Job Functions:

• Assist medical staff with supervising observed, self-medication procedure and obtaining consumers prescriptions.
• Assist medical staff with coordinating consumer trips to hospital, doctor’s appointments, etc.
• Communicate with Medical Consumer sick call.
• Facilitate groups i.e. orientation group, house meetings, step group, etc.
• Assist therapists with consumer interventions and redirect consumers when behavior is inappropriate.
• Provide input in clinical team meetings.
• Communicate with other clinical staff via the staff communication log.
• Communicate directly with the Program Directors/Coordinators, via voice mail if necessary, regarding consumers leaving treatment, injuries, or major infractions of rules, including acts of violence and drug use.
• Distribute paperwork to Program Directors/Coordinators and clinical staff.
• Handling and coordinating special requests by consumers when Therapist or Program Directors/Coordinators are unavailable, i.e., clothing needs, medical trips, etc.
• Maintain safety in and security of the facility.
• Assign, train and supervise consumers in job functions. Community chores.
• Responsible for all trips off the facility and entering Therapist approved trip slips into the log.
• Assign consumer strength.
• Transport consumers as necessary.
• Pick up new consumers from Intake at the Clinical Building. 
• Orient new consumers to policies and procedures and take care of their immediate needs and requests.
• Ensure that all consumers are adhering to established group and activity schedules.
• Search consumers for drugs, illegal items, contraband, etc. at admission and as necessary
• Give consumers preventative lice cleansing agents.
• Assign dorm.
• Perform thorough searches of dorms and common areas periodically for paraphernalia illegal items, and other contraband.
• Collect urine specimens and conduct urinalysis from all consumers as needed.
• Facilitate the process of grievance and incident reporting with consumers.
• Complete online incident reports as required by WestCare policy and procedure.
• Provide role modeling in the areas of appropriate communication and interaction with consumers and peers.
• Completes all orientation and mandated training activities, including E-Learning Courses, within required timeframes, and in accordance with the criteria established for this position.
• Embrace and embody the mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision and goals of WestCare Foundation
• Perform any other duties as assigned.

Essential Qualifications:

Certifications/Licensures:

• Behavioral Health Technician certification, or actively pursuing certification, in good standing by through the Florida Certification Board, is required within 6 months of hire date. Preference will be given to those candidates who are currently Certified;

Education:

• High School Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (G.E.D.) is required
• Bachelor Degree preferred

Experience and Competencies:

• One (1) year of experience in providing services in the field of substance abuse treatment is required.
• Bilingual is preferred.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to obtain and maintain WestCare’s vehicle insurance is required.
• CPR Certification, First Aid Certification and an annual Tuberculosis test.
• Ability to provide an Affidavit of Good Moral Character.
• Clearance in Pre-Employment Drug Testing and Criminal Records Checks, as required.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion.
• Ability to work well in a team environment.
• Adherence to the highest standard of ethical conduct, especially to standards governing confidentiality.
• Ability to converse with consumers about addiction and 12 Step Recovery.
• Ability to constructively confront as well as support consumers in recognizing destructive behavior.
• Ability to describe to the consumer the general nature and goals of the program, the rules and regulations of the facility, appropriate consumer behavior, and consumer’s rights.
• Ability to understand the process of de-escalating crises that may surface in acting out behaviors or emotional displays by consumers.
• Ability to educate consumers to Alcoholics/Narcotics Anonymous 12 Step Programs, in appropriate social behaviors, and work performance behaviors
• Ability to document consumer data including: urine specimens, incident reports, grievances, and communication logs
• Ability to manage and monitor the consumer work program, as evidenced through training
• Ability to read complex two and three syllable words and to recognize similarities and differences between words and between series of numbers
• Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and with all levels of employees and office visitors.
• Ability to apply basic mathematical concepts.
• Ability to collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. 
• Understands, communicates (both verbally and in writing), and collaborates effectively and with precision, given the time constraints of each task.
• Ability utilize Microsoft Office Software Suite (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc)
• Possesses sufficient means of independent mobility.
• Understanding and application of federal, state, local and agency confidentiality rules and professional standards of conduct
• Understanding of professional ethics, consumer rights, and professional responsibilities
• Knowledge of WestCare Mission, goals and values
• Knowledge of Incident Reporting
• Knowledge of HIPAA, Professional Ethics, Consumer Rights and Confidentiality
• Familiarity with WestCare services and programs
• Understanding of issues related to cultural identity, ethnic background, age, developmental level, gender and sexual orientation in prevention, intervention and treatment.
• Demonstrates ability to work effectively with culturally diverse staff and consumers.
• Demonstrates respect for an individual’s cultural and ethnic values when interacting with them.
• Articulates a working definition of trauma.
• Understands the impact of trauma.
• Understands re-traumatization.

• Demonstrates a high degree of. dependability.

  • Maintains a good attendance record.
  • Observes working hours
  • Shows flexibility and is responsive to requests from supervisor
  • Works independently with minimal supervision
  • Exhibits characteristics of good workmanship, and integrity on the job
  • Work time is always productive
• Demonstrates ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with consumers, co-workers, external partners, and regulatory agencies.
• Is courteous to consumers, staff, and all others.
• Demonstrates tact at the appropriate time.
• Cooperates with others both within and outside WestCare.
• Works well with supervisor; accepts direction and supervision
• Maintains a positive attitude toward work

• Ensures and maintains a safe working environment.

  • Work area is clean and orderly.
  • Verbalizes, understands and adheres to agency safety procedures.
  • Demonstrates appropriate use of Unusual Incident Reports, in accordance with the Center’s reporting procedures
• Presents a positive personal image
• Dresses and maintains a professional demeanor

Working Conditions:

• Work is primarily performed in a residential treatment setting
• Some outdoor activities may be required.

Essential Physical and Mental Demands of the Job:

The employee must be able to perform the following essential duties and activities with or without accommodation:

Physical Demands:

• Requires mobility and physical activity: Having an adequate range of body motion and mobility to work in an office, residential, or outdoor environment including standing and walking (even and uneven surfaces), sitting for extended periods of time, bending, twisting, reaching, balancing, occasional lifting and carrying of up to 50 pounds.  Use of computer and telephone systems is required which includes coordination of eye and hand, and fine manipulation by the hands (typing, writing, and working with files).  Requires the ability to defend oneself and clients in physically abusive situations through the use of approved physical de-escalation techniques.
• Requires talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.  Talking is required to impart oral information to employees, clients, patients, and the public, and in those activities in which the employee is required to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Requires hearing: Hearing is required to receive and communicate detailed information through oral communication.
• Requires seeing: Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less and at distance. This factor is required to complete paperwork for many of the employee’s essential job functions and to observe client behavior and activities in and out of the facility.
• The normal work routine involves no exposure to human blood, body fluids or tissues.  However, exposure or potential exposure may be required as a condition of employment. Appropriate personal protective equipment will be readily available to every employee.

Mental Demands:

• Requires the ability to collect and analyze complex numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions. 
• Requires the ability to work and cooperate with clients, co-workers, managers, the public and employees at all levels in order to exchange ideas, information, instructions and opinions. 
• Requires the ability to work under stress and in emotionally charged settings.
• The ability to defend oneself and clients in mentally/verbally abusive situations through the use of approved mental/verbal de-escalation techniques.