Behavioral Health Assoc I (FT Days) - Acute

Summit BHC; Harlingen (TX); On-site; USD 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Palms Behavioral Health in Texas is seeking a dedicated Behavioral Health Associate I to work on-site under a licensed nurse. You will monitor patients, assist with daily care, and participate in activity-based treatment within a multidisciplinary team.

Key duties include supervision, vital signs, de-escalation, documentation, and collaboration with clinical staff to ensure patient safety and progress. CPR certification is required.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Takes care of patient wellbeing in a safe, structured environment under supervision.
• Assists with activities of daily living and daily patient care tasks.
• Conducts safety checks and follows individualized supervision guidelines.
• Checks patients for contraband and manages belongings.
• Interacts with patients and communicates observations to the supervisor.
• Engages patients in activities to support treatment goals.
• Facilitates educational-rehabilitative groups on social and independent living skills.
• Takes and records vital signs and reports changes to the clinical team.
• Documents in patient records promptly and accurately.
• Applies de-escalation techniques and assists with restraints when necessary.
• Assists with unit cleaning, admits/discharge paperwork, and filing.
• Transports patients as required and coordinates with staff for transfers.
• Receives shift reports and provides thorough handoff to oncoming staff.

Skills

De-escalation techniques

CPR certification

Vital signs monitoring

Documentation

Patient supervision

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Six months or more experience with behavioral health population (preferred)

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.