Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) - PRN

Oceans Healthcare; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 30,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Haven Behavioral Hospital of Philadelphia is seeking a PRN Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) to support nursing staff and maintain a therapeutic milieu. The role requires caring for patients, applying de-escalation techniques, and documenting observations in the chart.

You will work under supervision, complete CPR and de-escalation training, and adhere to Joint Commission and hospital policies. Shifts include day and night hours, with flexible scheduling to meet patient needs.

Qualifications

• High school graduate or equivalent with CNA certification or at least 6 months of direct patient care experience in a healthcare setting.
• Must be able to read, write and follow verbal and written instruction; excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Must work well with diverse populations and apply age/culture specific knowledge in communications.
• Must be in good physical and mental health with a warm empathetic attitude and integrity.
• Must be able to work under close supervision and complete CPR certification plus Oceans approved de-escalation program.

Responsibilities

• Adhere to professional standards and Joint Commission/federal/state requirements.
• Apply supportive behavior to de-escalate and manage challenging patients.
• Inventory patient belongings and secure contraband; perform unit safety checks.
• Follow infection control policies and attend required trainings.
• Perform patient care tasks under supervision; monitor vitals, ADL, intake/output and document findings.
• Assist with activities of daily living and mobility, noting patient needs.
• Document observations and patient departures accurately in the chart.

Skills

Reading and writing

Verbal communication

Diversity & cultural sensitivity

CPR certification

Behavioral de-escalation training

Ability to work under supervision

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

CNA certification

Job description

• Day (7a-7p) and Night (7p-7a) Shifts Available!

PRN Behavioral Health Technician (BHT)

About Haven Behavioral Hospital Of Philadelphia

Haven Behavioral Hospital of Philadelphia is a 42 bed acute-care Joint Commission Accredited psychiatric hospital that offers a full continuum of care for older adults dealing with mental health issues. We are dedicated to partnering with individuals, families, and communities to improve the lives of patients through the delivery of high-quality, specialty behavioral health services.

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.