Behavioral Health Technician (Float)

Valleywise Health; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

Valleywise Health is seeking a Behavioral Health Technician Float to provide dedicated care to patients in a fast-paced environment. The role includes personal care for patients with psychiatric conditions, documenting behaviors, and assisting in daily activities. Candidates should have relevant educational qualifications and experience in behavioral health, with crisis intervention training preferred.

Qualifications

• Must have at least one year of behavioral health experience.
• Requires BLS card from approved AHA training center within 3 months.
• Knowledge of providing services to individuals with mental disorders.

Responsibilities

• Provide personal care to patients under evaluation or treatment.
• Observe patient behavior, assist with daily activities, and document interactions.
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings to improve patient care.

Skills

Behavioral health services

Crisis Prevention and Intervention

Basic computer skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Health or equivalent

Associate degree with two years of experience

Job description

Facility: Maryvale Campus

Department: BH Float Pool

Schedule: Per Diem 12 Hours Per Week

Shifts: Varied

Valleywise Health is highly respected as Arizona’s only public teaching hospital and healthcare system. Inpatient mental health treatment services are provided at one of our three inpatient facilities (Maryvale, Phoenix, and Mesa). As a behavioral health technician (BHT) Float, you will be part of a multidisciplinary team that provides exceptional care for patients under court-ordered evaluation or treatment due to mental illness.Our team includes nurses, behavioral health technicians (BHT), mental health workers, health unit coordinators (HUC), psychiatric and medical providers, social workers, chaplains, and recreational therapists. Working collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team fosters a healthy, cooperative environment for patients and coworkers, which is rewarding and fulfilling.

As a BHT, your responsibilities include providing personal care to patients with complex psychiatric and physical conditions. This role is fast-paced, and the tasks change rapidly throughout the shift. It is also safety-sensitive, requiring a calm demeanor when psychiatric or medical emergencies occur.

You will assist patients in planning their day, beginning with orienting them to the schedule, assisting with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) as needed, taking vital signs, and facilitating groups, which helps create a safe therapeutic environment. The BHT role is key to patient safety, which includes observing patient behavior, frequent rounding, and documenting the Electronic Medical Record. At times, documented behaviors may be utilized in the court-ordered petition process, requiring you to serve as a witness in the court hearing.

The successful candidate will receive a comprehensive formal didactic and practical orientation. Further education consists of, but is not limited to, computer-based training in the safe use of equipment and hospital-based procedures, including safety, fire safety, proper handling of hazardous materials, and natural disasters.

Hourly Pay Rate: $24.00

Education or equivalency:

• Must meet one of the following combinations of Education and Experience:
  A bachelor’s degree in a field related to Behavioral Health or
  Any other bachelor’s degree and one (1) year of full-time behavioral health work experience or
  Any associate degree and two (2) years of full-time behavioral health work experience or
  Eighteen (18) credit hours of post-high school education in a field related to behavioral health and two (2) years of full-time behavioral health work experience or
  Four (4) years of full-time behavioral health work experience.

Experience:

Must have atleast one (1) year of behavioral health experience and be able to float to various psychiatric or medical center departments. Acceptable behavioral health work experience includes providing direct services (counseling, monitoring, conducting recreational activities, transporting, etc.) to individuals with a mental disorder, personality disorder, or substance use problem gained in a behavioral health, medical, educational, or correctional work environment.
For positions based out of the Behavioral Health Staffing Office, employees must be able to float to both facilities (Desert Vista-Mesa and Psych Annex-Phoenix) for which approved competencies must be demonstrated.

Specialized Training:

Must have Crisis Prevention and Intervention Training.

Certification/Licensure:

Requires a BLS card obtained through an approved American Heart Association (AHA) training center within 3 months.
Pursuant to Arizona Administrative Code R9-10-306 CHAPTER 10 of the Dept. of Health Services, personnel must be at least 21 years of age, or at least 18 years of age and licensed or certified under A.R.S. Title 32 and providing services within the personnel member’s scope of practice.
• In addition, the following additional certification(s) will be required based on thedepartment assigned:
  Desert Vista - Unit 2 Adolescent: Must have a valid fingerprint clearance card issued by the Arizona Department of Public Safety or submit a completed application to the Arizona Department of Public Safety within seven days of thehire date. Fingerprint clearance cards must remain valid for the entire period of issuance and must be renewed before expiration.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must be able to meet the conditions as stated in the employment agreement.
Must demonstrate the skills and knowledge to provide behavioral health services to adults over the age of 65, individuals with substance abuse, individuals who are seriously mentally ill, individuals who have co-occurring disorders, and/or individuals who may be victims or perpetrators of domestic violence.
Requires basic computer word processing skills (e.g., formatting, editing, printing, composing email, internet searches, etc.) to navigate through an electronic medical record using a computer successfully.
Requires the ability to read, write, and speak effectively in English.