Behavioral Health Assoc I (FT Days) - Acute

Palms Behavioral Health; Harlingen (TX); On-site; USD 32,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Palms Behavioral Health is seeking a Behavioral Health Associate I in Harlingen, TX. This onsite role provides direct patient care under supervision, monitoring patient behaviors and assisting with daily living activities while maintaining a structured therapeutic environment.

You will participate in safety checks, observe and document patient status, and support the treatment team with data collection, crisis response, and group activities. CPR and de-escalation training are required.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Ensure wellbeing and supervision of patients in a safe environment.
• Assist patients with activities of daily living (ADLs).
• Conduct safety checks and follow individualized supervision guidelines.
• Record vital signs and report changes to the clinical team.
• Chart patient records timely and accurately.
• Apply de-escalation techniques and assist with restraints when necessary.
• Assist with admissions, discharges, and transportation as needed.
• Receive shift reports and provide thorough handoffs to oncoming staff.
• Facilitate patient educational groups on social and coping skills.

Skills

CPR

De-escalation

Restraint training

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

**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. Qualified candidates should apply by submitting a resume. Palms Behavioral Health is an EOE.