Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) - PRN

Oceans Healthcare; West Chester (Chester County); On-site; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Shift options

Competitive pay

Job summary

Haven Behavioral Hospital Of West Chester is seeking a PRN Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) to support nursing staff and maintain a therapeutic milieu. You will monitor patients, assist with daily activities, and document observations to inform care plans.

The role requires empathy, professionalism, and adherence to safety and infection control policies. Shifts include day and night coverage with competitive pay and shift differentials.

Qualifications

• Must read, write and follow verbal and written instructions.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work with diverse populations.
• Use age, disability and cultural knowledge in care delivery.
• Good physical and mental health with empathetic attitude.
• Able to work under close supervision.
• Complete BLS and Oceans-approved de-escalation program.

Responsibilities

• Mentor and support nursing staff to maintain therapeutic milieu.
• Perform vital signs, ADL, meals, and nutritional monitoring.
• Assist with mobility, bathing, meals, and belongings for patients.
• Document observations, nutrition, weights, and intake for nurses.
• Communicate patient needs and follow-up tasks to staff.
• Secure contraband, inventory belongings, and conduct safety checks.
• Adhere to universal precautions and infection control policies.
• Carry out additional duties as assigned.

Skills

Reading/Writing instructions

Verbal communication

Written communication

Diversity awareness

Mental/physical health awareness

Supervision compliance

BLS and de-escalation training

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

CNA certification or 6 months bedside care

Job description

• Day (7a-7p) and Night (7p-7a) Shifts Available!
• Competitive Pay & Shift Differentials

PRN Behavioral Health Technician (BHT)

About Haven Behavioral Hospital Of West Chester

Haven Behavioral Hospital of West Chester is a 72-bed facility providing high-quality, specialty behavioral health services for individuals with mental health and substance abuse issues. Our success is a reflection of the excellence and dedication of our employees at every level of our facility. The culture of our hospital is built around service. All jobs performed on our team are worthwhile and every employee makes a difference. If you are looking for an opportunity to grow personally and professionally while delivering compassionate, quality care we encourage you to explore career opportunities with Haven of West Chester

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:

• Continually monitors and supports compliance within unit rules.
• 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, nutritional monitoring and communicates findings to the nurse.
• 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 related to behavior and location and date effectively. Includes accurate documentation of nutritional intake, weights, liquid intake, vital signs, and output appropriately on the observation form.
• 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 diploma or equivalent (e.g., GED) preferred, but not required, unless hired in the following states after January 1, 2026: Arizona, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania or as required by the state regulations.
• Current CNA certification or at least 6 months of prior bedside, direct patient care experience in a healthcare setting preferred.

Skills / Qualifications:

• Must be able to read, write and follow verbal and written instruction.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Must work well with diverse populations.
• Must be able to 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 Basic Life Savings (BLS) course and an Oceans approved behavioral de-escalation program

Work Environment:

Subject to many interruptions. Occasional pressure due to multiple calls and inquiries. This position can be high paced and stressful; must be able to cope mentally and physically to atmosphere. This person might sometimes experience disagreeable odors, sights and/or unpredictable patient behavior. Work requires spending approximately 90% or more of the time inside a building that offers protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes.