Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) - Duke Regional Hospital - Durham, NC - Day Shift

Duke; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

An established healthcare provider is seeking a compassionate Behavioral Health Technician to join their dedicated team at a leading hospital. This role offers the opportunity to provide vital support to patients with psychiatric disorders, ensuring their comfort and safety. As part of a dynamic emergency department, you will engage directly with patients, assist in daily activities, and participate in therapeutic interventions. If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of others and thrive in a fast-paced environment, this position is perfect for you. Join a community that values collaboration and diversity, and be part of a team that is committed to excellence in patient care.

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or GED required.
• 1 year of experience with mental health or substance abuse patients preferred.

Responsibilities

• Observe and assess patients' conditions, reporting changes to RNs.
• Assist patients with daily living activities and ensure safety.

Skills

Patient Care

Communication Skills

Crisis Intervention

Basic Health and Safety

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

BCLS Certification

CPI Certification

Job description

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Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) - Duke Regional Hospital - Durham, NC - Day Shift

Work Arrangement:

Requisition Number: 257296

Regular or Temporary: Regular

Location:

Durham, NC, US, 27710

Date: May 7, 2025

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.

About Duke Regional Hospital

Pursue your passion for caring with Duke Regional Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which ranks as the number four hospital in the Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina area, accordingto U.S. News and World Report for 2023-2024. Duke Regional Hospital is the second largest of Duke Health's three hospitals and offers a comprehensive range of medical, surgical, and diagnostic services, including orthopedics, weight-loss surgery, women's services, and heart and vascular services.

Behavioral Health Technician - Duke Regional Hospital – Emergency Department

Schedule: 3 Day shifts per week with rotating weekends

Department Summary

The Emergency Department at Duke Regional Hospital is a newly renovated Emergency Department comprised of 79 total beds, which includes: 49 beds for the Emergency Medicine unit, 12 beds Clinical Decision Unit, and an 18 bed Behavioral Health Unit. Our team is active in delivering exemplary care for each patient to ensure an excellent patient experience, every time.

Job Summary

Perform a variety of routine activities to provide physical and psychological care to patients with psychiatric disorders.

What you will do:

• Observe patients and assesses progress on daily basis; report significant changes in patients' condition and/or behavior to supervising RN.
• Interact with patients on a one to one basis providing recreational or social activities and reinforce patient teaching.
• Assist patients in activities of daily living including making beds, bathing, personal hygiene, feeding and dressing.
• Assist patients with position changes, range of motion exercises, transfers and walking.
• Provide care and monitoring of patients in seclusion and/or restraint.
• Provide protection and control for patients as required to ensure patient safety in the facility.
• Participate in restraining combative patients as necessary.
• Ensure compliance with safety and infection control guidelines including universal precautions for self and patients.
• Participate in staff discussions to assess, coordinate and execute patient care.
• Maintain a clean, neat and safe work environment; activities may include but not be limited to tidying room, cleaning equipment, changing bed linens, restocking work areas, keeping rooms and hallways clear of debris, etc.
• Practice proper safety techniques in accordance with hospital and departmental policies and procedures: immediately reports any mechanical or electrical equipment malfunctions, unsafe conditions, or employee/patient/visitor injuries to manager.
• Participate in review of activities and processes for work area; assist in implementing changes to effect continual improvement in services provided; comply with regulatory and legal requirements.
• Assist in organizing and conducting recreational activities.
• Interact with patients on a one to one as well as small group basis; assist patients in planning how the treatment plan can be optimally utilized for their benefit.
• Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

What you will need:

Education

• Graduation from high school or GED.

Experience

• 1 year of experience working with patients with substance abuse, mental health, dementia diagnosis, intellectually or disabled preferred.

Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification

• Listing on the Nurse Aid Registry of North Carolina

or

• Certification as a Substance Abuse Counselor in North Carolina

or

• Certification as an Emergency Medical Technician in North Carolina

or

• Certification as a Behavioral Health Technician by The Academy of Addiction Professionals or American Medical Certification Association

or

• If a hire does not meet 1 of the 4 requirements, the BHT must start the process to complete one of the requiremenst within 1 year of employment and complete within 2 years.
• BCLS certification must be maintained/completed by the end of new hire orientation, which typically takes place during the first week of employment.
• CPI certification strongly preferred
• Meet DUHS credential to perform analysis of blood glucose from finger sticks and report findings to nurse. Complete quality control measures for this equipment. Participate in specimen collection according to test requested. Is responsible for patient identification, specimen labeling, and collection verification. Instruct patients in collection and preservation of urine, sputum and stool samples for analysis. Obtain and record vital signs, intake and output amounts or other measures as delegated within 90 days of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of special procedures that are applicable to work performed.
• Knowledge of procedures and techniques involved in administering routine treatments to patients.
• Knowledge of sanitation, personal hygiene, infection control, and basic health and safety precautions applicable to work in a health care environment.
• Knowledge of specimen collection, storage and transport.
• Knowledge of behavioral principles and individual responses to stressors.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients and hospital staff.
• Ability to work with, express sensitivity and understanding, and secure the cooperation of patients, including maintaining sympathetic attitude towards patients.
• Ability to keep calm in stressful situations.
• Ability to maintain routine records and prepare reports.
• Ability to recognize patients in emergency states and seek appropriate assistance.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and other patient rights.
• Ability to understand, follow and communicate/relate oral and written instructions and pertinent information accurately.
• Ability to apply proper body mechanics and safety. individuals in didactic or recreational groups.

Distinguishing Characteristics of this Level

• N/A

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends onthe robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

Nearest Major Market: Durham
Nearest Secondary Market: Raleigh

Duke is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual’s age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Read more about Duke’s commitment to affirmative action and nondiscrimination at hr.duke.edu/eeo.