Behavioral Health Technician PRN Nights

Oceans Healthcare; Hammond (LA); On-site; USD 19,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Oceans Behavioral Hospital Hammond is seeking a compassionate Certified Nursing Assistant to support adults and seniors in psychiatric care. You will assist with daily living activities, monitor vital signs, and document patient observations under licensed nurses.

You must have a CNA certification (or 6 months bedside experience), strong communication, ability to work under supervision, CPR, and participate in de-escalation training. Workplace safety and patient dignity are our priorities.

Qualifications

• Must have CNA certification or at least 6 months of bedside direct patient care experience.
• Excellent reading, writing and instruction-following abilities.
• Must apply age, disability and cultural sensitivity in care delivery.
• Good physical and mental health with empathetic attitude; able to work under supervision.
• CPR certification and Oceans approved behavioral de-escalation program required.

Responsibilities

• Adhere to professional standards and policies; follow Joint Commission standards.
• Assist in patient care under supervision; monitor vital signs and documentation.
• Assist with activities of daily living and dietary considerations as needed.
• Document observations accurately in patient records and communicate with nursing staff.
• Maintain patient belongings and ensure safety checks are completed.
• Demonstrate de-escalation and therapeutic interventions when necessary.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Cultural sensitivity

Teamwork

De-escalation techniques

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

CNA certification

Job description

At Oceans Behavioral Hospital Hammond, 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.

Essential Functions:

• Adhere to professional standards, follow policies and procedures and abide by federal, state and local requirements, as well as Joint Commission standards.
• Effectively applies supportive behavior when assisting in the control of patients who exhibit unacceptable behavior. 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, intake and output documentation, nutritional monitoring and communicates findings to the nurse. Ensuring patients or residents receive appropriate diet by reviewing their dietary restrictions, food allergies, and preferences.
• 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 and date effectively in the patient record.; documents patient’s departure from unit (i.e. for passes, transport to doctor’s appointment, community meetings) with 100% accuracy and within defined time lines; documents significant occurrences, observed behavior, vital signs, nutrition intake, and patient observation findings on assigned patients as requested by the registered nurse, with 100% accuracy and within defined time lines.
• 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

High school graduate or equivalent with CNA certification or at least 6 months of prior bedside, direct patient care experience in a healthcare setting is required.

Must be able to read, write and follow verbal and written instruction. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Must work well with diverse populations. Must 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 CPR certification and an Oceans approved behavioral de-escalation program.

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.