Behavioral Health Associate

Harboroaks; Ocklawaha (FL); On-site; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

The Refuge in Ocala National Forest seeks a Behavioral Health Associate to ensure patient safety and provide a structured, supportive environment for clients in care.

This full-time role includes safety checks at 15-minute intervals, timely documentation in patient records, and assistance with activities of daily living, groups, and patient transport coordination. Starting pay is $15.50 per hour with shift differentials for evenings and weekends.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Six months or more experience working with the specific population of the facility preferred.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate urgency related to patient safety and provide excellent customer services.
• Ensure well-being of patients and provide a supportive environment.
• Perform safety checks and ensure 15-minute supervision as required.
• Document timely, accurate clinical information in patient records.
• Assist in maintaining a safe, secure and comfortable environment for patients, significant others and staff.
• Interact with patients, observe behaviors and inform nursing staff of significant observations.
• Assist with activities of daily living as needed.
• Record vital signs, height and weight as assigned and document.
• Facilitate educational and rehabilitative groups addressing social skills, coping, anger management, and independent living.
• Engage patients to achieve treatment goals.
• Complete and maintain required documentation; assist with follow-up and incident paperwork.
• Provide transportation for patients or coordinate transport as needed.
• Maintain positive, empathetic, and professional attitude toward customers; address complaints and safeguard patient safety.

Skills

Patient safety

Observation

Documentation

De-escalation

Communication

Empathy

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Six months experience with facility population

Job description

Overview

The Refuge is located in the Ocala National Forest on 96 acres! The Behavioral Health Associate is vital to the care our clients receive and provides safety and observation of clients during the time in our care.

Full-time benefit eligible positions available working the day shift (7:00 am - 3:30 pm) and evening shift, 3:00 pm - 11:30 pm. Pay for the BHA position starts at $15.50 and increases based on experience. Shift differential available for working the evening and weekend shifts.

Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Demonstrate a sense of urgency related to the importance of patient safety and provide excellent customer services.
• Ensure the well-being of patients and provide a positive, supportive and structured environment.
• Responsible for conducting safety checks and ensuring that supervision is conducted at 15 minute intervals, as noted in special precautions, or in accordance with individualized supervision guidelines as needed.
• Document timely, accurate and appropriate clinical information in patient's medical record.
• Assist in providing a safe, secure and comfortable environment for patients, significant others and staff.

• Interact routinely with patients, observe behaviors and communicate significant observations to nursing staff.
• May oversee or assist patients with activities of daily living, including toileting, bathing, dressing, grooming, oral hygiene, meals, snacks, hydration and changing bed linens.
• May obtain patient's vital signs, height and weight as assigned and document in patient record.
• Facilitate patient educational-rehabilitative groups which cover a variety of topics including social skills, coping skills, anger management and independent living skills.
• Engage patients in activities and interactions designed to encourage achievement of treatment goals.

• Complete and maintain required documentation. Assist with follow-up and paperwork as required on incidents and events that may take place in the facility.
• May provide transportation for patient or coordinate transportation with appropriate staff member.
• Demonstrate a positive, empathetic and professional attitude towards customers always. When patient needs are not met, acknowledge and work to resolve complaints. Recognize that patient safety is a top priority.

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

• Perform other functions and tasks as assigned.

Qualifications

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

High school diploma or equivalent required.

Six months or more experience working with the specific population of the facility 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.

While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the requirements of the job, management reserves the right to add or remove duties from particular jobs when circumstances (e.g. emergencies, changes in workload, rush jobs or technological developments) dictate.

We are committed toprovidingequalemploymentopportunitiestoall applicantsforemploymentregardlessofanindividual’scharacteristicsprotected byapplicable state,federalandlocallaws.

This position requires a Level 2 Background Screening through the Florida Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse. In accordance with Florida law, employers must provide applicants with direct access to information about the state’s background screening requirements.

To learn more about disqualifying offenses, exemption procedures, and screening timelines, please visit the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) Background Screening Education & Awareness webpage:

https://info.flclearinghouse.com/

Applicants are encouraged to review these requirements before applying.

REFHP