Behavioral Health Technician I (PRN)
Job Description:
Job Summary:
The Behavioral Health Technician I position is responsible for providing direct and supportive care to clients/patients. Duties generally include, but are not limited to, providing general oversight of day-to-day activities and at times, redirecting clients/patients; health monitoring (vital signs), intervening/responding to crisis and communicating with established treatment team, facilitating group education/structured activities, and/or transporting clients/patients as needed. Behavioral Health Technicians are responsible for possessing a basic understanding of client/patient treatment plan, monitoring and documenting client/patient behavior and providing a safe, therapeutic, and supportive environment for clients/patients.
Essential Job Functions:
- Admit, supervise, monitor, transfer, and discharge clients/patients.
- Ensure monitoring of vital signs, signs and symptoms of withdrawal, and possess knowledge to determine need for escalation to medical intervention when critical symptoms present.
- Obtain and record vital signs and relevant medical symptoms per policy and/or as indicated by medical personnel when applicable.
- Oversee medication administration per policy and procedure and as permitted by appropriate training certifications/permissions.
- Adhere to all medication policies and work with trained nursing staff to ensure all medication policies are followed whether self-administered by client/patient or staff-administered when appropriate training permits.
- Maintain accurate records of client medications and document the self-administration of medications by clients or staff administration of medications.
- Monitor client self-administration of over-the-counter (OTC) medications, as well as the inventory and storage of OTC medications.
- Properly document client’s reported blood glucose level as indicated and maintain agency-approved equipment per manufacturer’s guidelines.
- Report medication errors and/or medication discrepancies per agency policy and procedures.
- Follow Medication Storage and Destruction Policy & Procedure.
- Screen and monitor clients/patients for signs and symptoms of withdrawal to ensure that safety and recovery needs are being met (when applicable).
- Facilitate client/patient supervision checks per policy and/or procedure or when indicated by a safety/precautions plan.
For all locations:
- Encourage clients/patients to adhere to program expectations and rules in a trauma-informed manner and communicate concerning behaviors to the treatment team and supervisor as soon as possible.
- Participate as an active member of the treatment team by helping to identify client’s strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences.
- Document and/or report at shift change and/or in client/patient record any exceptional behavior and/or areas of concerns related to client’s behaviors/interactions.
- Assist in admission/orientation process with regard to client rights and rules under the supervision of the assigned supervisor.
- Facilitate urine collection, testing, lab send-offs, and document in the client record following policy and procedures.
- Operate telephone system, record incoming messages accurately, place telephone calls as necessary or directed practicing good customer service skills and respond to crisis calls as necessary communicating with supervisor and/or treatment team in a timely manner.
- Assist, educate, and redirect clients/patients in performing daily activities as needed.
- Monitor client activities and document client activities occurring on shifts that are relevant to client’s/patient’s progress or behavior.
- Ensure all clients/patients are accounted and present in scheduled activities.
- Foster adaptive behavior in clients by encouraging positive social interaction and role-modeling a solution-focused approach to issues of concern.
- Ensure precaution protocols are adhered to and appropriate documentation occurs.
- Assist in monitoring general health conditions of clients/patients facilitating communications with the supervisor or treatment team in a timely manner.
- Prepare for and facilitate group rehabilitative support, education, recovery skills, or recreation groups as scheduled and assigned.
- Provide client/patient transportation as needed to and from appointments.
- Maintain a standard of behavior that is, at all times, consistent with Organization Code of Conduct and program philosophy.
- Complete all mandatory trainings within the required time frame within State Regulatory/CARF Standards.
- Attend staff meetings, treatment team meetings, training sessions, etc. as requested by supervisors.
- Maintain a safe and clean environment by observing general rules of good housekeeping.
- Report maintenance problems, broken or malfunctioning equipment, other mechanical safety concerns following established reporting procedures.
- Be knowledgeable and adhere to all program policies and procedures.
- Demonstrate interest in long-term and short-term goals and objectives of the organization.
- Other duties as assigned by Leadership.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of confidentiality laws governing the treatment of substance use and mental health disorder treatment.
- Capable of communicating ideas clearly and effectively both verbally and written to produce clear and concise reports.
- Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
- Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
- Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
- Ability to speak effectively with clients, employees of organization, family members, and other community contacts.
- Ability to apply common-sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
- Basic keyboarding skills and navigate/enter notes within electronic medical record.
- Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables within standardized situations.
- Ability to establish rapport with client/patient population while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
Experience and Education Qualifications:
- High School education OR equivalent and two (2) years responsible employment.
- Experience in Human Services or related field preferred.
OR
Supervisory Requirements:
Employment Requirements:
- Successful completion of background check including criminal record, driving record, abuse/neglect and fingerprint check.
- Completion of New Hire Orientation at the beginning of employment.
- All training requirements including Relias at the beginning of employment and annually thereafter.
- Current driver’s license, acceptable driving record and current auto insurance.
- First Aid certification within three (3) months of beginning employment and upon renewal date.
- Obtain CPR certification within three (3) months of beginning employment and upon renewal date.
- Medication Administration according to the program standards.
- Behavioral Management training completed within thirty (30) days of employment or first available class after start date.
- Extensive knowledge of the policies, procedures, and regulations of the program to which the Employee is assigned.
- Valid Driver’s license in state of residency with an acceptable driving record.
- Must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age to operate a company-owned vehicle.
- Must be at least twenty-three (23) years of age to operate a company-owned fifteen (15) passenger van.
Physical Requirements:
- ADA Consideration - Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, or pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.
Position Perks & Benefits:
- Paid time off: full-time employees receive an attractive time off package to balance your work and personal life.
- Employee benefits package: full-time employees receive health, dental, vision, retirement, life, & more.
- Top-notch training: initial, ongoing, comprehensive, and supportive.
- Career mobility: advancement opportunities/promoting from within.
- Welcoming, warm, supportive: a work culture & environment that promotes your well-being, values you as a human being, and encourages your health and happiness.