Behavioral Health Technician

Behavioral Health Technician

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Summary: Under close supervision, responsible for providing a safe, supportive and therapeutic environment for psychiatric patients. Provides direct patient care and may conduct therapeutic group sessions under the direction and supervision of the RN. Provides input to the RN to help develop the plan of care and assists in carrying out the plan of care for assigned patients. Assists with the admission of new patients and orients new patients and families to the unit.

UNC Health Johnston offers a continuum of behavioral health services to support individuals in crisis. The Behavioral Health Holding area in the Emergency Department provides a safe space for immediate psychiatric evaluation, medication management, and stabilization. The Behavioral Health Triage process ensures patients receive immediate care through timely assessments, medical clearance, and coordination with inpatient psychiatric services. The Behavioral Health Inpatient Unit delivers comprehensive treatment through therapy, education, and personalized care planning, helping patients stabilize, build coping skills, and prepare for safe discharge with ongoing support.

Responsibilities: Aids patients in reality orientation, participates in behavior modification plans/therapy, provides informal support therapy to patients/families, provides verbal de-escalation of potentially aggressive patients, aids in the physical management of aggressive/out-of-control patients, facilitates age appropriate play for children, and monitors the therapeutic milieu activities on assigned unit to ensure that emotional and safety needs of patients are met. Assists in interviewing patients and their families for routine admission data. Orients patients and families to the facility. Provides data input during team discussions and meetings to assist in developing therapeutic plans and objectives. Interacts with patients on a one to one as well as small group basis. Facilitates assigned groups in ways which encourage and require maximum patient participation and interaction, appropriate to functional level of group members. Observes, collects, and documents patient information obtained while providing care and promptly report significant changes in the patient's condition to a registered nurse or physician. Provides direct personal care to patients as outlined in plan of care for routine activities of daily living including bathing, personal hygiene, feeding and dressing. Assists patients with position changes, range of motion exercises, transfers and walking. Obtains and records vital signs, intake and output amounts or other measures as delegated. Observes patients and assesses progress on daily basis and reports significant changes in patients' condition and/or behavior to supervising RN. Provides protection and control for patients as required to ensure patient safety in the facility. Participates in restraining combative patients as necessary. Provides care and monitoring of patients in seclusion and/or restraint. Reinforce routine teaching given to patients by the registered nurse or physician and document patient understanding of instructions. Distributes patient education materials at the request of patients and/or health care providers.

Education Requirements: High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED) Licensure/Certification Requirements: Listed as a Nursing Assistant I by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) certification within 60 days from date of hire Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification Professional Experience Requirements: Requires one (1) year of relevant experience in a behavioral health environment. Knowledge/Skills/and Abilities Requirements: Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients and hospital staff. Ability to work with, express sensitivity and understanding, and secure the cooperation of patients, including maintaining empathetic attitude towards patients. Ability to work with groups of patients or individuals in didactic or recreational groups. Ability to keep calm in stressful situations. Must be fluent in verbal and written English language. Capability to develop computer skills if not competent.