Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) PRN Days

OCEANS HEALTHCARE; Alexandria (LA); On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Oceans Behavioral Hospital Alexandria in Louisiana is seeking a qualified Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) to support nursing staff and maintain a therapeutic milieu for adults and seniors dealing with anxiety, depression and other mental health challenges.

The BHT will perform routine patient care tasks, monitor patient conditions, assist with daily living activities and help ensure safety and compliance under licensed nursing supervision.

Responsibilities

• Adhere to professional standards and policies, comply with federal, state and Joint Commission standards.
• Assist in de-escalation and therapeutic interventions for patients exhibiting challenging behavior.
• Inventory patient belongings, perform unit safety checks, and secure contraband as needed.
• Follow infection control policies and participate in required in-services to stay informed.
• Under supervision of licensed nursing staff, perform vital signs, ADL support, intake/output documentation, nutrition monitoring and communicate findings to the nurse.
• Assist patients with meals, laundry, mobility, and daily living activities.
• Document patient observations and movements accurately in the patient record and ensure timely communication with nursing staff.
• Communicate patient care responsibilities and follow-up tasks to ensure continuity of care.
• Perform other duties and projects as assigned.

Job description

At Oceans Behavioral Hospital Alexandria, healing is our focus. We are passionate about helping adults and seniors manage the challenges associated with anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. Utilizing proven, innovative and progressive therapies, our qualified professionals strive to promote long‑term wellness through a range of inpatient and outpatient psychiatric counseling and treatment options.

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:

1. Adhere to professional standards, follow policies and procedures and abide by federal, state and local requirements, as well as Joint Commission standards.
2. 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.
3. Inventories patient belongings accurately and secures contraband as needed; completes unit safety checks.
4. Complies with standard/universal precautions and infection control policies and attends required in‑services to keep self‑informed.
5. 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.
6. Assists patients with laundry, meals, bathroom functions and maintaining of belongings; assists at risk and/or physically challenged patients with mobility needs as needed.
7. Individualizes all patient care activities to the age specific, disability, cultural sensitivity needs of the patient.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. Performs other duties and projects as assigned.