Behavioral Health Assoc I - BACKFILL

Palms Behavioral Health; Harlingen (TX); On-site; USD 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Palms Behavioral Health in Harlingen, Texas seeks an entry-level Behavioral Health Associate I to support licensed nurses, monitor patient safety, and participate in a multidisciplinary treatment team.

You will assist with daily living activities, observe patient behavior, document in charts, and participate in crisis response and group activities, with on-site responsibilities and opportunities for certification training.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Ensure patient wellbeing and safety under supervision.
• Assist with activities of daily living (toileting, bathing, dressing, grooming, meals).
• Conduct safety checks and supervise patients as directed.
• Check patients for contraband and manage belongings.
• Observe patients and report significant observations to supervisor.
• Engage patients in activities to support treatment goals.
• Facilitate educational-rehabilitative groups on social and living skills.
• Take and record vital signs and report changes.
• Chart patient records accurately and timely.
• Apply de-escalation techniques and assist with restraints when necessary.
• Assist with unit cleaning, chart organization, discharge processes, and filing.
• Provide transfer or transportation for patients as needed.
• Receive shift reports and give thorough handoffs.

Skills

Patient care

Crisis management

De-escalation

Observation & reporting

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Behavioral Health Assoc I - BACKFILL | 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.

Veterans and military spouses are highly encouraged to apply. 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.