Behavioral Health Assoc- FT (Days)

Summit BHC; Harlingen (TX); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Palms Behavioral Health in Harlingen, TX is hiring a Behavioral Health Associate I. This on-site, full-time role supports licensed nursing staff, monitors patient behaviors, and participates in data collection and crisis response.

The position emphasizes safety, patient care, ADL assistance, and de-escalation techniques as part of a multidisciplinary team. The ideal candidate has a high school diploma and ideally some six months of experience with the facility's population; CPR and

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Six months or more experience with the population preferred.
• Knowledge of psychiatric disorders and treatment modalities preferred.

Responsibilities

• Monitors patient behaviors and reports to the clinical team.
• Assists patients with activities of daily living.
• Performs safety checks and supervision according to guidelines.
• Records vital signs and updates patient data.
• Engages patients in therapeutic activities and education.
• Uses de-escalation techniques to manage emotions and behavior.
• Assists with shifts, admissions, and discharge tasks.
• Receives and conveys shift reports to oncoming staff.

Skills

Patient supervision

ADL assistance

Crisis response

Observation documentation

Education

High school graduate

Job description

Behavioral Health Assoc- FT (Days) | Palms Behavioral Health | Harlingen, Texas

About the Job:

PURPOSE STATEMENT:

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.

Roles and Responsibilities:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• 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 clients 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 supervisor.
• 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 and independent living skills.
• Takes and records vital signs properly and communicates significant changes in patient’s condition to the clinical team.
• 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 patients or coordinates transportation with appropriate staff members as required.
• Receives report from previous shift to utilize information in planning shifts; give accurate and thorough report to oncoming shift.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

• High school graduate or equivalent required.
• Six months or more experience working with the specific population of the facility preferred.
• Knowledge of common psychiatric disorders and/or dual diagnosis and various treatment modalities of the population served preferred.

LICENSES/DESIGNATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS:

• CPR and de-escalation and restraint certification required (training available upon hire and offered by facility).
• First aid may be required based on state or facility requirements.

WORK LOCATION:

This position is onsite and is not a remote position.

SUPERVISORY REQUIREMENTS:

This position is an Individual Contributor.

Why Palms Behavioral Health?Palms Behavioral Health offers a comprehensive benefit plan and a competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. Palms Behavioral Health is an EOE.

Summit BHC is dedicated to serving Veterans with specialized programming at our treatment centers across the country. We recognize and value the unique strengths of the military community in supporting our mission to serve those who have served.