Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) PRN Days

Oceans Healthcare; Alexandria (LA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Oceans Behavioral Hospital Alexandria seeks a compassionate Certified Nursing Assistant to assist in inpatient and outpatient care for adults and seniors. Under supervision, you will monitor vital signs, help with daily living activities, and support safe, therapeutic patient environments.

You will also perform documentation, follow procedures, and participate in safety and de-escalation training to promote high-quality care.

Qualifications

• Must read, write and follow verbal and written instructions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work with diverse populations.
• Cultural and age-specific communication skills.
• Good physical and mental health with empathetic attitude.

Responsibilities

• Assist in patient care activities under supervision of licensed nursing personnel.
• Take vital signs, monitor intake/output and document findings.
• Support dietary needs and monitor restrictions and allergies.
• Assist patients with activities of daily living and mobility as needed.
• Maintain patient safety, conduct unit safety checks and de-escalation as required.
• Document observations accurately in patient records and communicate with nursing staff.
• Follow infection control policies and required in-services.

Skills

Reading/Writing

Verbal/Written communication

Diversity sensitivity

Cultural sensitivity

Empathy

Teamwork

CPR certification

De-escalation

Instruction following

Education

High school diploma or equivalent with CNA certification

6 months bedside care experience

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.

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.