Lead Behavioral Health Associate — Crisis Care

Donaanacrisiscenter; Las Cruces (NM); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The Dona Ana County Crisis Triage Center is seeking a Lead Behavioral Health Associate. You will work under the supervision of a licensed nurse and be a key member of the treatment team, providing continuous patient care, safety and mentoring for BHAs.

Lead duties include coordinating staff, reporting patient conditions, and supporting daily care and crisis response. You will oversee patient activities of daily living, document care, run de-escalation strategies, and participate in groups

Qualifications

• High school graduate or equivalent required.
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s 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 deescalation and crisis intervention.

Responsibilities

• Ensures the wellbeing of patients and maintains safe environment under direction of charge nurse or supervisor.
• Oversees or assists patients with activities of daily living.
• Performs safety checks and monitors patient supervision intervals.
• Checks patients for contraband and manages valuables.
• Interacts with patients, observes behaviors, and reports significant observations to supervisor.
• Engages patients in activities to support treatment goals and independence.
• Facilitates patient educational/rehabilitative groups on social skills, coping, and independent living skills.
• Takes and records vital signs and communicates changes to the charge nurse.
• Maintains patient records and assists with admissions/discharges as needed.
• Assists with coordination of transportation and incident reporting.

Skills

Verbal deescalation

Crisis intervention

Education

High school graduate or equivalent

Associate/Bachelor’s degree in human services

Job description

The Dona Ana County Crisis Triage Center is seeking a Lead Behavioral Health Associate. You will work under the supervision of a licensed nurse and be a key member of the treatment team, providing continuous patient care, safety and mentoring for BHAs.

Lead duties include coordinating staff, reporting patient conditions, and supporting daily care and crisis response. You will oversee patient activities of daily living, document care, run de-escalation strategies, and participate in groups