Behavioral Health Associate (3p - 11p)

Behavioral Health Associate

The Behavioral Health Associate I works under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse as an integral part of the multidisciplinary treatment team and is responsible for monitoring and reporting of patient behaviors; providing continuous patient care, supervision, interaction, and role modeling; assisting in patient data collection, recording, and maintenance; and responding in crisis situations and medical emergencies as needed. This is a full-time position. $1,500 sign on bonus eligible.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Ensures the wellbeing of patients and provides a safe, positive, supportive, and structured environment, under direction of charge nurse or supervisor. Maintains a constant awareness and supervision of patients.
• Assists patients with activities of daily living, such as toileting, bathing, dressing, grooming, oral hygiene, meals, snacks, hydration and changing bed linens.
• Conducts safety checks, ensuring that supervision is conducted at intervals in accordance with individualized supervision guidelines.
• Checks patients for contraband and manages the patient's valuables and belongings.
• Interacts routinely with patients, observes behaviors and communicates significant observations to nursing staff.
• Engages with patient in activities and interactions designed to encourage achievement of treatment goals.
• Facilitates patient educational-rehabilitative groups which cover a variety of topics including social skills, coping skills, anger management and independent living skills.
• Takes and records vital signs properly and communicates significant changes in patient's condition to the charge nurse.
• Charts in patient records timely, accurately, and appropriately.
• Applies de-escalation techniques to help manage patient's emotions, behavior and participation in treatment and assists with seclusion and restraints when necessary.
• Assists with unit cleaning, organization of new admits charts, discharge process, filing, etc. Initiates patient/employee incident reports.
• Provides transfer or transportation for patient or coordinate transportation with appropriate staff member, as required.
• Provides verbal report/briefing to the oncoming shift.

Education/Experience/Skill Requirements:

• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Six months or more experience working with the specific population of the facility preferred.