Behavioral Health Technician

DC Department of Human Resources; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

DC Department of Human Resources seeks a Behavioral Health Technician to work within the Office of the Chief Nursing Executive at Saint Elizabeths Hospital. The role requires collaborative care on an interdisciplinary team, providing psychiatric nursing support to patients with varying needs and participating in recovery plan development.

Responsibilities include recording nursing activities, enforcing security procedures, and facilitating patient groups in alignment with treatment plans.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience directly related to the position.
• Experience providing care to mentally ill patients with variable and unpredictable needs.
• High school diploma or GED required.
• Ability to work rotating shifts including weekends and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Treat patients on an interdisciplinary team and participate in psychiatric nursing care.
• Assist in development and implementation of recovery plans.
• Record nursing activities in the patient’s medical record.
• Implement security procedures appropriate to unit level of security.
• Lead patient groups under supervision per treatment plans.
• Perform duties such as yard detail, escort detail, visiting detail, and contraband searches.

Skills

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Psychiatric nursing care

Group facilitation

Security procedures

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Job Summary

Serves as a Behavioral Health Technician in the Office of the Chief Nursing Executive Department. Functions on an interdisciplinary team, treating patients who are; accused of serious crimes and who are undergoing psychiatric examination prior to trial; patients who have been found mentally incompetent to stand trial; patients who are undergoing treatment and rehabilitation after being adjudicated "not guilty by reason of insanity" and patients who have become mentally ill while serving sentence and have been transferred from a correctional institution to Saint Elizabeths Hospital for treatment. Serves on a psychiatric recovery team with an assignment of providing psychiatric nursing care to mentally ill patients whose needs are variable and at times not predictable. Assists in the development and implementation of recovery plans. Records nursing activities that are pertinent to treatment in the patient's medical record. Assumes responsibility for implementing security procedures appropriate to the level of security required on the unit. Takes accurate patient count and maintains vigilance at all times to prevent breaches in security. Conduct patient's groups under supervision and in accordance with patients' treatment plans. Performs diverse assignments associated with patient security including yard detail, escort detail on/off grounds, visiting detail, contraband search, etc.

Qualifications

Position requires one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Specialized experience is experience which is directly related to the position to the filled, and has equipped the candidate with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position to be filled.

Licensures, Certifications And Other Requirements

N/A

Minimum Education Requirement

Must possess a high school diploma or a certificate of equivalency (GED).

Work Experience

Experience providing care to mentally ill patients whose needs are variable and at times not predictable.

Work Environment

Work is performed in a controlled environment and involves some exposure to moderate risk of accidents and requires following basic safety precautions.

THIS POSITION REQUIRES A PRE EMPLOYMENT PHYSICAL AND CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK.

Area of Consideration

District of Columbia Residents who are DC High School Graduates have Preference for this Vacancy Announcement.

Duration of Appointment

Permanent

Tour of Duty

Rotating Shifts (To include weekends and holidays)

This position IS in the collective bargaining unit and you may be required to pay an agency service fee through an automatic payroll deduction

Position Designation

• Criminal background check;
• Traffic record check (as applicable);
• Pre-employment drug and alcohol test;
• Reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol test;
• Post-accident or incident drug and alcohol test;
• Random drug and alcohol test; and
• Return-to-duty or follow-up drug and alcohol test.

RESIDENCY PREFERENCE

A person applying for a position in the Career Service, Educational Service, Management Supervisory Service, a line attorney position in the Legal Service (series 905), or an attorney position in the Excepted Service (series 905) who is a bona fide District resident AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION for the position may be awarded a 10-point residency preference over non-District applicants, unless the person declines the preference points. If selected, the person shall be required to present proof of bona fide District residency and maintain such residency for 7 consecutive years from the effective date of the appointment. Failure to maintain bona fide District residency for the 7-year period will result in forfeiture of employment.

EEO Statement

The District of Columbia Government does not discriminate or retaliate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender identity and expression, national origin, family responsibilities, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, homeless status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, participation in a legally protected activity, parental status, matriculation, personal appearance, credit information, status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, or stalking, military service, or other non-merit factor.