Nursing Assistant (Non-Certified) / Behavioral Health Assistant (Harris Hospital)

Behavioral Health Assistant

Are you passionate about making a real difference in people's lives? Join our team at the Office of Mental Health where we are dedicated to providing compassionate and accessible care to our community. We are seeking a Nursing Assistant Non-Certified who is motivated to help individuals and families navigate life's challenges and achieve long-term wellness. If you want to use your skills to build a healthier, more resilient community, we encourage you to apply.

This position is located at the SC Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (BHDD) - Office of Mental Health, Patrick B. Harris Psychiatric Hospital, 130 SC-252, Anderson, SC 29621.

As the Behavioral Health Assistant (BHA), working under direct supervision of licensed nursing personnel, you will perform routine and specialized patient care duties to psychiatric patients on any assigned unit. You will apply knowledge in age-specific criteria and advanced therapeutic interventions with psychiatric patients including those who have diverse backgrounds, disabilities and co-occurring disorders.

Responsibilities for the Nursing Assistant (Non-Certified):

• Observe, monitor and report patients' physical and behavioral conditions, including those who have diverse backgrounds, disabilities and co-occurring disorders, with consideration to age-specific interventions. Document pertinent information in the clinical record. Relay patient's therapeutic activities to treatment team.
• Assist patients with their personal needs, including bathing, dressing, ambulating and oral hygiene. Care for patients with, disabilities and co-occurring disorders. Use appropriate body mechanics when stooping, bending, and lifting.
• Engage with patients in conversation and activities to encourage community participation. Plan and implement patient care activities and groups based on individual treatment plans. Utilize age-specific interventions.
• Take and record patient's vital signs, including temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and oxygen saturation. Collect specimens.
• Precept new Behavioral Health Assistants to a designated lodge. May be chosen to model outstanding patient care practices and policy and procedure adherence throughout. Responsible for the orientation and care management instructions for new BHAs assigned to the unit.
• Maintain clinical competency by mastering/qualifying required mandatory and non-mandatory in-services/training during this rating period (e.g. MANDT/MAPS, CPR, SCEIS courses, cross training, and age-specific criteria).

Minimum and Additional Requirements:

• A high school diploma or GED.
Additional Requirements:
• Ability to lift up to fifty (50) pounds; ability to see, hear at normal volumes, stand, walk, reach, pull, stoop, bend and climb at least two (2) flights of stairs. Ability to tolerate noise level and circulate in patient areas for long periods. Must be able to work with repetitive patient behaviors. Possible exposure to blood/body fluids.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Health care or related experience.
• Knowledge of nursing procedures, personal hygiene, basic health and safety practices, basic human anatomy.
• Bilingual abilities in English and Spanish (or another language) are a plus.

Post hire, employees must:

• Successfully complete the Basic Fundamentals course with a minimum grade of 75.
• Be able to pass CPR and have the ability to perform MANDT and emergency care during emergencies.
• Have knowledge of nursing procedures, personal hygiene, basic health and safety practices, basic human anatomy.

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.

Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities offers an exceptional benefits package for full time (FTE) employees:

• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouse, and children.
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available (S.C. Deferred Compensation)
• Retirement benefit choices
  • State Retirement Plan ( SCRS )
  • State Optional Retirement Program ( State ORP )

*Enrollment in one of the listed plans is required for all FTE employees; please refer to the contribution section of hyperlinked retirement sites for the current contribution rate of gross pay.