Behavioral Health Associate

New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation; New York (NY); On-site; USD 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An established health care organization is seeking compassionate individuals to join their team as behavioral health aides. In this role, you will provide essential support to patients through crisis intervention and supervision, ensuring their safety and well-being. You will engage in therapeutic activities, assist with vital signs, and collaborate with a dedicated interdisciplinary team. This position offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of patients in a dynamic environment. If you are passionate about helping others and thrive in a challenging yet rewarding setting, this role is perfect for you.

Benefits

Comprehensive Health Benefits

Retirement Savings and Pension Plans

Loan Forgiveness Programs

Paid Holidays and Vacation

College Tuition Discounts

Professional Development Opportunities

Qualifications

• Requires an Associate’s degree or a High School diploma with relevant experience.
• Completion of training in restraints and vital signs is mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Perform crisis interventions and monitor patient safety and behavior.
• Assist in therapeutic groups and document activities appropriately.
• Communicate clinical matters to nursing staff and participate in meetings.

Skills

Crisis Intervention

De-escalation Techniques

Patient Observation

Communication Skills

Education

Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice or Social Services

High School Diploma or G.E.D. with relevant experience

Tools

Electronic Medical Record (EMR)

Job description

Elmhurst Hospital Center (EHC) is the major tertiary care provider in the borough of Queens. The hospital is comprised of 545 beds and is a Level I Trauma Center, an Emergency Heart Care Station and a 911 Receiving Hospital. It is the premiere health care organization for key areas such as Surgery, Cardiology, Women's Health, Pediatrics, Rehabilitation Medicine, Renal and Mental Health Services.

At NYC Health + Hospitals, our mission is to deliver high quality care health services, without exception. Every employee takes a person-centered approach that exemplifies the ICARE values (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence) through empathic communication and partnerships between all persons.

Job Description

Under the direction of a Registered Nurse (RN), physician, and/or clinical designee and in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, performs crisis and/or de-escalation interventions, therapeutic observations of patients and milieu, patient supervision and other behavioral health related duties, including assisting in the implementation of seclusion/restraints. Acts in compliance with health care system and all relevant regulatory policies.

Duties & Responsibilities

1. Utilizes crisis and/or de-escalation intervention practices, when necessary and appropriate, with patients whose behavior cannot be otherwise supported without such interventions.
2. Assists in the application and removal of restraints and the implementation of seclusion, when deemed necessary by appropriate personnel; ensures the physical and emotional health and safety of the patient when using such methods.
3. Identifies patient characteristics and environmental variables that may trigger agitated behavior(s) and communicates such information to the treatment team.
4. Escorts patient to required location(s), within and outside of the health care setting.
5. Monitors and controls patient, family, visitors and staff traffic flow through behavioral health services.
6. Ensures the safety of patients and staff through electronic scanning and safety checks prior to entry to clinical areas.
7. Responds appropriately to patient emergencies, including those requiring the Behavioral Response Team, and other emergencies, as necessary.
8. Inspects and categorizes patients’ belongings at time of admission and ensures that property is safely maintained and returned at the time of transfer or discharge; notifies appropriate personnel of illegal items for proper handling.
9. May lead or co-lead discussion groups in areas such as anger management techniques and practices; appropriately documents group activity.
10. Assists in the facilitation of therapeutic groups and related activities.
11. Assists with patient grooming needs, including shaving when deemed appropriate by clinical staff and the patient is not able to shave themselves.
12. Takes patient vital signs when directed to do so by clinical staff, and enters patient vital sign data into the electronic medical record (EMR).
13. Performs observation and monitoring of assigned patients on a one-to-one basis.
14. Performs patient checks/rounds and video surveillance, as required, and reports observations, interactions and patient activity to assigned nursing staff.
15. Communicates clinical matters to assigned RN or other professional staff as required.
16. Participates in staff, departmental and team/committee meetings.
17. Participates in departmental quality assurance/performance improvement (QA/PI) activities.
18. Participates in departmental and/or health care setting-wide training, as required.
19. Performs related work, as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

1. An Associate’s degree in criminal justice, social services or a health-related area; or
2. A High School diploma or a G.E.D. and one (1) year of full-time experience in law enforcement, nursing or psychiatric/behavioral health in a high volume, intensive care environment.
3. *Successful completion of an appropriate training program in the application and use of restraints and seclusion must be completed prior to an individual performing such work.
4. Successful completion of an appropriate training in the performance of vital signs and grooming within ninety (90) calendar days of appointment to the title.

*Special Note: As required by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Hospital Conditions of Participation - Patients’ Rights (42 CFR Part 482), before applying restraints, implementing seclusion, performing associated monitoring of the restrained or secluded individual, or providing care for such individual, staff must be trained and able to demonstrate competency in the performance of these actions.

How To Apply

If you wish to apply for this position, please apply online by clicking the "Apply for Job" button.

NYC Health and Hospitals offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• Comprehensive Health Benefits for employees hired to work 20+ hrs. per week
• Retirement Savings and Pension Plans
• Loan Forgiveness Programs for eligible employees
• Paid Holidays and Vacation in accordance with employees' Collectively bargained contracts
• College tuition discounts and professional development opportunities