Behavioral Health Technician PRN Days

Oceans Healthcare; United States; On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Oceans Behavioral Hospital DeRidder is seeking a Behavioral Health Technician to support nursing staff and maintain a therapeutic environment for adults and seniors facing anxiety, depression and other mental health concerns. You will perform routine patient care tasks, monitor safety, document observations, and assist with daily living activities under licensed supervision.

This role emphasizes de-escalation skills, empathy, clear communication, and adherence to regulations, with a focus on

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred, unless required by state regulations.
• Current CNA certification or at least 6 months of bedside patient care experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Monitor unit rules and support a therapeutic milieu.
• Use de-escalation and therapeutic interventions as needed.
• Perform vital signs, weights, ADL and nutritional monitoring; report findings.
• Assist with meals, laundry, mobility and activities of daily living.
• Document patient observations accurately and timely.
• Communicate care needs and task status to nursing staff.
• Adhere to infection control policies and universal precautions.

Skills

Reading & writing

Strong communication

Interpersonal with diverse populations

Cultural sensitivity knowledge

Empathy and integrity

Ability to work under supervision

BLS knowledge/completion

Education

High school diploma / GED preferred

CNA certification or 6 months direct patient care experience preferred

Job description

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

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.