Associate Behavioral Health Technician - Psychiatric Emergency Department

Associate Behavioral Health Technician - Psychiatric Emergency Department

Raeford, NC $34,499 - $46,099 a year

Job Type: Full Time

Overview

Join a compassionate team dedicated to providing exceptional care in a psychiatric emergency setting within the Southeastern United States region. This full-time day position involves supporting patients through observation, monitoring, and assisting with daily living activities under nursing supervision.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver routine patient care that ensures safety, dignity, and comfort while fostering a therapeutic environment.
• Assist with new patient admissions, including conducting contraband searches, orienting patients, obtaining vital signs, and securing belongings.
• Support patient transfers and discharges by monitoring vital signs and managing personal items.
• Perform regular vital sign checks, weight measurements, and promptly report any abnormalities to nursing staff.
• Help patients with personal hygiene and toileting as needed.
• Participate in therapeutic holds, restraints, and seclusion procedures following specialized training.
• Engage patients through play and group activities, reporting any unusual observations.
• Conduct frequent rounding and constant observation as directed, documenting findings accurately.
• Facilitate therapeutic community meetings and assist with wrap-up sessions.
• Contribute to educational programs and quality improvement initiatives.
• Support cost containment efforts and perform other duties as assigned.

Education and Training

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate or Bachelor's degree in Psychology or Social Work preferred.
• Nursing Assistant certification accepted.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association required.
• Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NCI) training and certification must be completed within 30 days of employment.

Experience

• Preferred: Minimum of 2 years psychiatric experience.

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong customer service orientation.
• Competency in working with children, adolescents, and adults with mental health conditions.
• Basic understanding of age-specific considerations for the patient population.
• Unrestricted NCI certification upon training completion.
• General computer proficiency for documentation purposes.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work variable shifts including prolonged standing, walking, and bending.
• Capability to assist with patient movement and lifting.
• Visual and auditory acuity necessary for patient observation and documentation.
• Potential exposure to blood or other infectious materials.