Behavioral Health Technician - Nights

Oceans Healthcare; Abilene (TX); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

401k plan

Tuition reimbursement

Daily pay

Paid time off

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Oceans Behavioral Hospital Abilene seeks a compassionate Certified Nursing Assistant to support nurses and deliver patient care in psychiatric settings. You will assist with daily activities, monitor vitals, and help maintain a safe, therapeutic environment for adolescents, adults and seniors.

You must hold a CNA certification, be able to read and write clearly, and communicate effectively with a diverse patient population. A BLS certification is required or obtained on onboarding.

Qualifications

• Must read, write and follow instructions.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work with diverse populations and to communicate empathetically.
• Current CNA certification and BLS knowledge required.
• Do not require bachelor’s degree.

Responsibilities

• Monitor unit rules and support a therapeutic milieu.
• Use de-escalation and therapeutic interventions as needed.
• Inventory patient belongings and secure contraband; perform safety checks.
• Follow infection control policies and attend required trainings.
• Support patient care under nursing supervision; record vitals and ADLs.
• Assist with meals, mobility, hygiene, and personal items.
• Document observations and communicate outcomes to the nurse.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Reading and writing

Communication

De-escalation

Infection control

Cultural sensitivity

Empathy

BLS training

Education

High school diploma or GED

CNA certification

Job description

At Oceans Behavioral Hospital Abilene, healing is our focus. We are passionate about helping adolescents, 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.