Behavioral Health Assoc I - Acute

Peak Behavioral Health; Santa Teresa (NM); On-site; USD 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Peak Behavioral Health in Las Cruces, NM seeks a Behavioral Health Associate I to work under the supervision of a licensed nurse as part of the multidisciplinary treatment team. The role emphasizes patient care, safety, supervision, and crisis response, with responsibilities in data collection and group activities.

On-site position with a competitive benefits package. Required: high school diploma; six months of experience with the target population preferred; CPR and de-escalation

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Ensure wellbeing of patients in a safe, structured environment under supervision.
• Assist clients with activities of daily living (toileting, bathing, dressing, grooming, meals, hydration).
• Conduct safety checks and supervise per guidelines.
• Check patients for contraband and manage belongings.
• Interact with patients and report observations to supervisor.
• Engage patients in activities to support treatment goals.
• Facilitate educational-rehabilitative groups addressing social and coping skills.
• Take and record vital signs and report changes to clinical team.
• Document in patient records accurately and timely.
• Apply de-escalation techniques and assist with seclusion/restraints when necessary.

Skills

Patient care

Crisis prevention

De-escalation techniques

Monitoring & reporting

Education

High school diploma

Job description

Behavioral Health Assoc I - Acute | Peak Behavioral Health | Las Cruces, New Mexico

About the Job

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

• 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 Peak Behavioral Health

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

Veterans and Military Spouses

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.