Behavioral Health Technician Full Time Days

Oceans Healthcare; Lafayette (LA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision Coverage

401(k) Retirement Savings Plan

Tuition Reimbursement

Daily Pay

Paid Time Off

Competitive Market Compensation

Short Term Disability

Long Term Disability

Life Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Ochsner Behavioral Health Acadiana is seeking a Behavioral Health Technician to aid nursing staff in providing compassionate care to children, adults, and seniors in Lafayette, Louisiana. The BHT assists with routine patient care activities under licensed supervision and helps maintain a therapeutic milieu.

You will monitor patients, perform vital signs, assist with daily living activities, and document observations, while participating in de-escalation and safety procedures per Joint Commission

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred, unless state requirements apply.
• Current CNA certification or 6+ months direct patient care experience preferred.
• Able to read, write and follow verbal and written instructions.
• Strong verbal and written communication; works well with diverse populations.

Responsibilities

• Continuously monitors and enforces unit rules and safety.
• Applies de-escalation and therapeutic interventions as needed.
• Inventories patient belongings and secures contraband; conducts safety checks.
• Follows infection control policies and required in-services.
• Performs vital signs, ADL, nutrition monitoring under supervision.
• Assists with laundry, meals, bathroom tasks and mobility as needed.
• Adapts care to age, disability, and cultural needs of patients.
• Documents patient observations accurately and communicates with nursing staff.
• Relays outcomes and follows up on patient care tasks; supports continuity of care.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Communication

Empathy

Diversity sensitivity

BLS trained

Education

High school diploma

CNA certification

Job description

At Ochsner Behavioral Health Acadiana, healing is our focus. We are passionate about helping children, 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.

Benefits We Offer:

• Medical, Dental, Vision Coverage (Multiple Plan Options) - Eligible first of the month after 30 days.
• 401 (k) Retirement Savings Plan with Discretionary Company Match
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Daily Pay
• Paid Time Off
• Competitive Market Compensation
• Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program

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:

• Continually monitors and supports compliance within unit rules.
• 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, nutritional monitoring and communicates findings to the nurse.
• 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 related to behavior and location and date effectively. Includes accurate documentation of nutritional intake, weights, liquid intake, vital signs, and output appropriately on the observation form.
• 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 diploma or equivalent (e.g., GED) preferred, but not required, unless hired in the following states after January 1, 2026: Arizona, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania or as required by the state regulations.
• Current CNA certification or at least 6 months of prior bedside, direct patient care experience in a healthcare setting preferred.

Skills / Qualifications:

• Must be able to read, write and follow verbal and written instruction.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Must work well with diverse populations.
• Must be able to 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 Basic Life Savings (BLS) course and an Oceans approved behavioral de-escalation program

Work Environment:

Subject to many interruptions. Occasional pressure due to multiple calls and inquiries. This position can be high paced and stressful; must be able to cope mentally and physically to atmosphere. This person might sometimes experience disagreeable odors, sights and/or unpredictable patient behavior. Work requires spending approximately 90% or more of the time inside a building that offers protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes.