Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) - PRN Days

Oceans Healthcare; Broussard (LA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Oceans Behavioral Hospital Broussard is seeking a dedicated Behavioral Health Technician to support nursing staff in delivering compassionate patient care for adults and seniors with mental health needs.

You will assist with daily activities, vital signs, nutrition, and safety checks while applying de-escalation techniques and maintaining clear documentation for continuous care.

Qualifications

• Required: High school diploma or equivalent and CNA certification or at least 6 months of bedside patient care experience.
• Must read, write and follow verbal and written instructions. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work with diverse populations; apply age, disability and cultural sensitivity in patient care.

Responsibilities

• Adhere to professional standards and facility policies; follow Joint Commission standards and regulations.
• Demonstrate de-escalation and therapeutic interventions as needed.
• Inventory patient belongings and secure contraband; perform unit safety checks.
• Follow infection control policies and attend required trainings.
• Assist with patient care under supervision of licensed nurses; record vital signs, intake/output, nutrition and mobility notes.
• Assist patients with activities of daily living, mobility, meals and personal belongings; tailor care to age and cultural needs.
• Document patient observations accurately in the medical record and communicate findings to the nurse.
• Provide timely handoffs and updates to nursing staff about patient care and needs.

Skills

Communication skills

Reading

Writing

Diversity awareness

Empathy

CPR certification

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

CNA certification

Job description

At Oceans Behavioral Hospital Broussard, 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.