BHA Lead

Summit BHC; Port Matilda (Centre County); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

CPR certification provided

Job summary

St. Joseph Institute for Addiction seeks a Lead Behavioral Health Associate III to join the multidisciplinary treatment team onsite. The role focuses on monitoring client behaviors, providing continuous care, supervision, and crisis response as needed.

The ideal candidate has two years of BHA experience, education in human services, and strong de-escalation skills. CPR certification is required; state-specific requirements may apply.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; related degree preferred.
• Minimum two years of experience as a BHA.
• Experience with the population served and understanding of psychiatric disorders.
• Strong verbal de-escalation and crisis intervention skills.

Responsibilities

• Ensure client safety and provide a structured, supportive environment.
• Conduct safety checks and supervise according to guidelines.
• Document client observations and maintain accurate records.
• De-escalate crises and respond to emergencies.
• Coordinate activities and assist with admissions/discharges as needed.
• Mentor and supervise BHAs; support staff as required.
• Maintain department resources and supplies.

Skills

De-escalation

Crisis intervention

Observation

Team collaboration

Education

High school diploma

Associate or Bachelor in human services

Job description

About the Job:

PURPOSE STATEMENT:

The Lead Behavioral Health Associate III serves as an integral part of the multidisciplinary treatment team and is responsible for monitoring and reporting of client behaviors; providing continuous client care, supervision, interaction, and role modeling; assisting in client data collection, recording, and maintenance; and responding in crisis situations and medical emergencies as needed.

Roles and Responsibilities:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Ensures the wellbeing of clients and provides a safe, positive, supportive, and structured environment. Maintains a constant awareness and supervision of clients.
• Conducts safety checks, ensuring that supervision is conducted at intervals in accordance with individualized supervision guidelines.
• Checks clients for contraband and manages the client’s valuables and belongings.
• Interacts routinely with clients, observes behaviors and communicates significant observations to supervisor. Encourages attendance at group therapy and promotes client participation in unit activities.
• Engages with client in activities and interactions designed to encourage achievement of treatment goals.
• Facilitates client educational-rehabilitative groups which cover a variety of topics including social skills, coping skills and independent living skills.
• Takes and record vital signs properly and communicates significant changes in client’s condition to the charge nurse.
• Charts in client records timely, accurately, and appropriately.
• Applies de-escalation techniques to help manage client’s emotions, behavior and participation in treatment.
• Assists with unit cleaning, organization of new admits charts, discharge process, filing, etc. Initiates client/employee incident reports.
• Provides transfer or transportation for client or coordinates transportation with appropriate staff member, as required.
• Receives report from previous shift to utilize information in planning for shift and then gives accurate and thorough report to oncoming shift.
• Serves as a resource for new clients introducing them to other clients and staff, explaining programs and encouraging participation. Orients clients to the activities program, explaining the benefits of activities.
• Maintains an awareness of client’s needs and individual goals while motivating clients towards activities which are beneficial to them. Observes clients’ interest levels and behaviors.
• Assists with activity planning by offering new activity ideas and diverse therapeutic recreation program.
• Organizes and sets up the equipment that is used in recreational activities. Provides clients with activity resources and supplies, as needed.
• Enforces safety rules to prevent injury and modifies activities to suit the needs of specific groups.
• Helps to develop and maintain departmental resources, sharing the responsibility to monitor equipment and supplies.
• Helps with admissions and discharges if needed.
• Participates in rehabilitation and treatment programs as well as teach strategies to promote client wellness and independence, as needed.
• Ensures that the program schedule is being followed and reports to supervisor variances to program schedule.
• Assists with assignments for BHAs, group coverage, charting, breaks, environmental and safety rounds and codes.
• Assists in providing guidance and direction to other BHAs, including mentoring of new staff.
• Performs day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining files and processing paperwork.
• Coordinates and leads the work and activities of others, including scheduling programs and activities.
• Maintains inventory of unit supplies.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

• High school graduate or equivalent. Associate or Bachelor degree in human service field from an accredited college or university preferred.
• At least two years’ experience as a BHA required.
• Two or more years’ experience working with the specific population of the facility required.
• Knowledge of common psychiatric disorders and/or dual diagnosis and various treatment modalities of the population served required.
• Exceptional knowledge of and skills in verbal de-escalation and crisis intervention.

LICENSES/DESIGNATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS:

• CPR certification and de-escalation training required (training available upon hire and offered by facility).
• First aid may be required based on state or facility requirements.

WORK LOCATION:

This position is onsite and is not a remote position.

SUPERVISORY REQUIREMENTS:

This position is an Individual Contributor.

Why St. Joseph Institute for Addiction?

St. Joseph Institute for Addiction offers a comprehensive benefit plan and a competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications.

St. Joseph Institute for Addiction is an EOE.