Behavioral Health Technician - Palatka Residential

SMA Healthcare; Palatka, Northern (FL, KY); Hybrid; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Paid personal leave

Paid holidays

403b retirement plan

Job summary

SMA Healthcare in Palatka, FL seeks a Behavioral Health Technician to support clients and run unit operations, including monitoring, safety checks, and assisting with admissions and discharges. The role promotes treatment goals through compassionate engagement and proper documentation.

Ideal candidates may hold a high school diploma, have 6 months of human services experience, and be certified as Behavioral Health Technicians. Comprehensive benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Six months related human services experience preferred.
• Preference for certification as Behavioral Health Technician.

Responsibilities

• Monitor behavior and safety of each client and report concerns.
• Provide positive role modeling and use behavior modification techniques.
• Assist with admissions, discharges, and client orientation.
• Document daily activities and progress in required records.
• Transport clients as needed and conduct security checks.
• Ensure compliance with CARF, AHCA, DCF, DJJ and DOC standards.

Skills

Behavioral health

De-escalation

Communication

Documentation

Observation

Education

High school diploma

6 months human services experience

Behavioral Health Technician certification

Job description

The Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) performs a variety of client support and unit operational duties. The BHT's duties may include client monitoring, searches of clients, inventory of client belongings, assistance with client triage and discharge, client transfer between units and programs, transport of clients, implementation of the program daily schedule, and the collection of vital signs and UAs when necessary. The BHT demonstrates compassion, an understanding of the nature of behavioral health illnesses, and the ability to engage clients with mental health illnesses, substance use disorders, and co-occurring illnesses. The BHT helps to provide a safe and therapeutic environment by interacting in a warm, compassionate manner and de-escalating clients when necessary, while always promoting client achievement of treatment plan goals and objectives.

Pay starting at $16 per hour

Top reasons to work for SMA Healthcare:

• Career growth and advancement potential
• Great benefits such as: Health, Dental, Vision, Life, & Disability Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Personal Leave and Paid Holidays
• 403b Retirement Plan (matches one to one of employee contribution for the first 3%, then a 50% match on the next 6% of employee contribution)

Essential Job Functions:

• Responsible for monitoring the behavior and activities of each client; reports any concerns regarding the health, safety, or well-being of a client to the appropriate authority.
• Serves as a positive role model; utilizes approved behavior modification techniques; provides positive reinforcement and support to clients.
• Conducts and participates in basic life skills activities.
• Processes admissions and discharges for voluntary and/or involuntary clients; orients the client to the facility; explains rules, policies and procedures.
• Completes required program documentation and reports as required - daily, weekly, monthly, etc.
• Documents clients' activities, behavior patterns, changes in behavior patterns, and occurrences.
• Ensures clients adhere to established schedule and routine.
• Obtains required program information; inventories client valuables.
• Collects urine specimens and completes paperwork and/or laboratory paperwork, if required.
• Conducts security/safety checks; monitors visitors/clients for contraband; conducts searches; removes dangerous items; performs and/or assists with restraints.
• Performs general office and public contact duties, such as: answering telephones, using program radios, greeting visitors, communicating with the public, police, DCF, hospitals etc.
• Participates in meetings as required; converses with staff on client's progress or lack of progress.
• Performs general cleaning responsibilities when needed.
• Attends training /in-services as required.
• Utilizes approved de-escalation techniques when necessary.
• Transports clients to other agencies, hospitals, homes, community activities, AA meetings etc.
• Ensures compliance with CARF, AHCA, DCF, DJJ and/or DOC standards and security safeguards.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Qualification Requirements:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Education and/or Experience:

Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent. Six months of related human services experience preferred. Preference will be given to those who are certified as Behavioral Health Technicians. Additional education and/or experience may be required as per specific program guidelines.

Knowledge/Skills/and Abilities:

• Some knowledge of the human services field and the application of basic client care skills.
• Ability to utilize behavior management techniques and serve as a role model.
• Ability to handle verbally and/or physically abusive and aggressive clients and utilize aggression control techniques to ensure the safety and well being of the client, other clients, and employees in the unit.
• Ability to communicate effectively with suicidal, mentally, emotionally, and/or psychologically disturbed clients in person and over the telephone.
• Ability to defuse potentially dangerous situations, and remain calm in an emergency.
• Ability to understand and implement The Mandt System in order to assist clients who are in crisis. This may include the physical ability to restrain a client, or assist with the restraint of a client.
• Ability to prepare and maintain written documentation.

Necessary Special Requirements:

Possession of a valid Florida driver's license, acceptable driving record, and proof of personal automobile insurance if required to drive an SMA vehicle and/or use a personal vehicle for SMA business. Complete State of Florida mandatory background screening prior to start of employment. Complete SMA required training during the first six (6) months of employment and updated if required.

Physical:

Mobility and ability to bend and reach during an 8-12 hour day. Able to lift minimum 10 pounds. Visual and auditory acuity sufficient to evaluate, intervene, treat, and record client health care needs. Fine motor skills for legible and accurate charting, daily correspondence and presentation, either manually or orally. Work endurance ability to work 8-12 hour shifts with a meal break, as possible. Routine 8-12hour shifts. Hours and days off may vary. Extra hours may be required. Work assignment locations may vary.

Application:

This position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications which may be required of the employee assigned to the position. It should not be used to limit the nature and extent of assignments such individuals may be given.