Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) - PRN

Oceans Healthcare; Norman (OK); On-site; USD 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Oceans Healthcare seeks a PRN Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) to support nursing staff in a new behavioral health hospital in Norman, OK. Shifts include day (7a–7p) and night (7p–7a) with a focus on maintaining a therapeutic milieu and patient safety.

The BHT will perform routine care tasks, assist with vital signs, documentation, and patient mobility, while following universal precautions and de-escalation techniques. CNA or equivalent experience preferred.

Qualifications

• High school graduate or equivalent with CNA certification or at least 6 months of bedside patient care experience.
• Must read, write and follow verbal and written instruction.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Must work well with diverse populations.
• Must utilize age, disability and cultural knowledge in communication.
• Must be in good physical and mental health with empathetic attitude and integrity.
• Must work under close supervision.
• Must complete CPR certification and Oceans de-escalation program.

Responsibilities

• Support nursing staff by maintaining a therapeutic milieu and performing patient care tasks.
• Assist in vital signs, weights, ADL, intake/output and dietary monitoring.
• Document patient observations accurately in the chart and chart departures with accuracy.
• Follow infection control policies and participate in required in-services.
• Communicate patient care findings to the nurse in a timely manner.
• Assist with mobility, meals, hygiene, and belongings; support at-risk patients.

Skills

Reading & writing

Verbal communication

Diversity awareness

Cultural sensitivity

Empathy

Teamwork/ Collaboration

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

CNA certification

Tools

CPR certification

De-escalation training

Job description

PRN Behavioral Health Technician (BHT)

• Day (7a-7p) & Night (7p-7a) Shift Available

Norman Regional Health System and Oceans Healthcare have partnered to expand access to behavioral health services in south central Oklahoma through construction of a new, state-of-the-art behavioral hospital.

Behavioral Health Center at Porter Health Village, a 48-bed facility, will more that double Norman Regional Health System’s inpatient capacity for adult and senior behavioral health patients and add new services, including an intensive outpatient program and a dedicated geriatric behavioral health unit. The freestanding hospital will be located on the Norman Regional Porter campus and replace the existing 20-bed behavioral health unit.

The Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) supports the nursing staff in maintaining a therapeutic milieu by performing routinely assigned tasks and carrying out patient care activities within the scope of the BHT's training and experience. The BHT will maintain a safe and professional standard for patient care in accordance with Joint Commission, Federal and State regulations, Oceans' Mission, policies and procedures and performance improvement standards.

Essential Functions:

• Adhere to professional standards, follow policies and procedures and abide by federal, state and local requirements, as well as Joint Commission standards.
• Effectively applies supportive behavior when assisting in the control of patients who exhibit unacceptable behavior. Demonstrates the ability to employ de-escalation and therapeutic interventions as needed.
• Inventories patient belongings accurately and secures contraband as needed; completes unit safety checks.
• Complies with standard/universal precautions and infection control policies and attends required in-services to keep self-informed.
• Implements patient care activities under the direction and supervision of licensed nursing personnel; performs vital signs, weights, ADL, intake and output documentation, nutritional monitoring and communicates findings to the nurse. Ensuring patients or residents receive appropriate diet by reviewing their dietary restrictions, food allergies, and preferences.
• Assists patients with laundry, meals, bathroom functions and maintaining of belongings; assists at risk and/or physically challenged patients with mobility needs as needed.
• Individualizes all patient care activities to the age specific, disability, cultural sensitivity needs of the patient.
• Communicates and documents patient observation and date effectively in the patient record.; documents patient’s departure from unit (i.e. for passes, transport to doctor’s appointment, community meetings) with 100% accuracy and within defined time lines; documents significant occurrences, observed behavior, vital signs, nutrition intake, and patient observation findings on assigned patients as requested by the registered nurse, with 100% accuracy and within defined time lines.
• Communicates outcome of assigned tasks to nursing staff in a timely manner; Communicates follow-up on patient care responsibilities; incomplete assignments, ongoing activities and current patient needs to relevant staff to assure continuality of care.
• Performs other duties and projects as assigned.

Requirements

Education / Experience:

High school graduate or equivalent with CNA certification or at least 6 months of prior bedside, direct patient care experience in a healthcare setting is required.

Skills / Qualifications:

• Must be able to read, write and follow verbal and written instruction.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Must work well with diverse populations.
• Must utilize Age, Disability and Cultural Specific knowledge in working with specialized populations to best communicate with those clients.
• Must be in good physical and mental health as evidenced by a warm empathetic attitude, respect for dignity, worth and potentiality of clients and hold a high sense of personal integrity.
• Must be able to work under close supervision.
• Must successfully complete CPR certification and an Oceans approved behavioral de-escalation program.