Behavioral Health Associate

NYC Health + Hospitals; New York (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

Harlem Hospital Center, part of NYC Health + Hospitals, seeks an operating room support professional to assist in surgical procedures under supervision.

You will prepare the OR, assist with sterile technique, verify patient identity and procedure, and help transfer patients post-operation while completing required trainings.

Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree in health-related field or High School diploma with 1 year of relevant experience in a high-volume setting.
• Successful completion of NYC Health + Hospitals training in restraints and seclusion prior to performing such work.
• Successful completion of NYC Health + Hospitals training in vital signs and grooming within 90 days of appointment.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification within 60 days of appointment.

Responsibilities

• Prepare operating room and sterile field for procedures using sterile technique.
• Assist in receiving, labeling and verifying sterile solutions and medications for surgery.
• Verify patient identity, correct surgical site and procedure.
• Assist in positioning patient and gowning/gloving; hand instruments to surgeon.

Skills

Attention to detail

Sterile technique

Team collaboration

Education

Associate’s degree in health-related field

High school diploma or equivalent

BLS certification

Job description

Marketing Statement

Harlem Hospital Center has been a bedrock of the Harlem community since 1887. The hospital provides a wide range of medical, surgical, diagnostic, therapeutic and family support services to the residents of Central Harlem, West Harlem, Washington Heights and Inwood. Harlem is the largest hospital in the area, capable of treating the most seriously ill. Harlem provides over 90 specialized ambulatory care services, dentistry and oral surgery, behavioral health services, and community substance abuse treatment.

Marketing Statement

Harlem Hospital Center has been a bedrock of the Harlem community since 1887. The hospital provides a wide range of medical, surgical, diagnostic, therapeutic and family support services to the residents of Central Harlem, West Harlem, Washington Heights and Inwood. Harlem is the largest hospital in the area, capable of treating the most seriously ill. Harlem provides over 90 specialized ambulatory care services, dentistry and oral surgery, behavioral health services, and community substance abuse treatment.

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.

Duties & Responsibilities

Purpose of Position

Under direct supervision by a Registered Professional Nurse, surgeon, or other healthcare professional, serves as part of a medical team providing surgical care to patients; facilitates the safe and effective conduct of invasive surgical procedures. All personnel perform related work.

Examples Of Typical Tasks

• Prepares the operating room and sterile field for surgical procedures, including setting up surgical supplies, instruments and equipment using sterile technique and ensuring that surgical equipment is functioning properly and safely.
• Assists healthcare professionals in receiving, labelling and verifying sterile solutions and medications to be administered during surgery according to established protocol; may assist anesthesia personnel.
• Verifies patient’s identity, correct surgical site, and correct surgical procedure.
• Assists in moving and positioning patient for surgery; adheres to established safety guidelines.
• Engages in appropriate gowning and gloving procedures in perioperative setting.
• Assists healthcare professionals to perform non-invasive preparation of the skin’s surface; drapes patients for surgery.
• Assists surgeon throughout the operative procedure, including anticipating instrument needs. Responsible for handing instruments and other sterile supplies to surgeon; maintains accurate count of sponges, needles and instruments in perioperative setting.
• Assists in the surgeon’s provision of hemostasis during surgery.
• Holds retractor after placement by a healthcare professional during procedure.
• Maintains and monitors surgical asepsis during all surgical procedures according to established guidelines.
• Prepares and applies bandages and sterile and non-sterile dressings to incision site; may prepare suture material as directed by surgeon.
• May assist with transfer of patient to recovery room following surgery; provides nursing care as necessary and appropriate.
• Properly cares for, and handles specimens taken for laboratory analysis.
• May assist with the cleaning of the operating room and replenishment of supplies once procedure is complete.
• May operate sterilizers, lights, suction machines and electrosurgical units; may assist with diagnostic equipment.
• Participates in staff development activities as appropriate and required.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or directed by surgeon and/or other appropriate personnel.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Criminal Justice, Social Services or a health related discipline; or
• High School diploma or its educational equivalent, approved by a State’s Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization; and one (1) year of full-time experience in law enforcement, nursing or psychiatric/behavioral health in a high volume, intensive care environment.
• *Successful completion of NYC Health + Hospitals training program in the application and use of restraints and seclusion must be completed prior to an individual performing such work.
• Successful completion of NYC Health + Hospitals training in the performance of vital signs and grooming within ninety (90) calendar days of appointment to the title.
• Holds or obtains a valid and current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) through the American Heart Association (AHA) within sixty (60) 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.