Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) PRN Days

Oceans Healthcare; Alexandria (LA); On-site; USD 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Oceans Behavioral Hospital Alexandria is seeking a dedicated Behavioral Health Technician to support nursing staff on a psychiatric unit, assisting with vital signs, ADLs, meals and mobility while ensuring patient safety and dignity.

Requires a high school diploma or equivalent with CNA certification or 6 months bedside experience, plus excellent communication and CPR with de-escalation training as approved by Oceans. This is an on-site role within our hospital.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent with CNA certification or 6 months bedside care.
• Must read, write and follow verbal and written instructions.
• CPR certification and Oceans-approved behavioral de-escalation program required.

Responsibilities

• Adhere to professional standards and safety requirements.
• Provide patient care under supervision and document observations.
• Assist with activities of daily living and meal support.
• Communicate patient needs to nursing staff promptly.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

CPR certification

De-escalation training

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

CNA certification

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

• 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.