Behavioral Health Associate Day Shift (6a -6p) FT

Palms Behavioral Health; Harlingen (TX); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Palms Behavioral Health in Harlingen, TX is seeking a Behavioral Health Associate I for day shift. The role supports patient care under a licensed nurse, monitors patient behaviors, records data, and responds in crisis situations as needed.

The associate will assist with ADLs, participate in safety checks, and contribute to a structured, therapeutic environment as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Six months or more experience with the facility's patient population preferred.

Responsibilities

• Ensures patient wellbeing by providing a safe, supportive environment under supervision.
• Assists patients with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, grooming, meals, and hygiene.
• Conducts safety checks and adheres to supervision guidelines.
• Checks patients for contraband and manages belongings.
• Interacts with patients and communicates observations to nursing staff.
• Engages patients in activities aimed at achieving treatment goals.
• Facilitates patient educational and rehabilitative groups on topics like social and coping skills.
• Records vital signs accurately and reports significant changes to the charge nurse.
• Performs timely and accurate charting in patient records.
• Applies de-escalation techniques to manage emotions and assists with restraints when necessary.
• Assists with unit cleaning, admissions/discharge processes, and filing.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Behavioral Health Associate Day Shift (6a -6p) FT | Palms Behavioral Health | Harlingen, Texas

About the Job

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

• 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 patients 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 nursing staff.
• 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, anger management and independent living skills.
• Takes and records vital signs properly and communicates significant changes in patient’s condition to the charge nurse.
• 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 patient or coordinate transportation with appropriate staff member, as required.
• Provides verbal report/briefing to the oncoming shift.

Education / Experience / Skill Requirements

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

Why Palms Behavioral Health?

Palms Behavioral Health offers a comprehensive benefit plan and a competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Palms Behavioral Health is an EOE.

Summit BHC is dedicated to serving Veterans with specialized programming at our treatment centers across the country.

We recognize and value the unique strengths of the military community in supporting our mission to serve those who have served.

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