Outpatient Program BHT

Oceans Healthcare, L.L.C.; Abilene (TX); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

Oceans Behavioral Hospital Abilene is seeking an Outpatient Program Behavioral Health Technician to support the nursing staff and maintain a therapeutic milieu for adolescents, adults and seniors with anxiety, depression and related conditions.

The role includes performing patient care activities, monitoring vital signs, documenting observations and ensuring adherence to safety and infection control policies within Joint Commission standards.

Responsibilities

• Adhere to professional standards and policies; comply with Joint Commission and regulations.
• Assist in patient care activities under licensed staff; record vital signs, intake/output, nutrition and diet restrictions.
• Maintain a safe, therapeutic milieu and de-escalate when needed.
• Inventory patient belongings and secure contraband; perform unit safety checks.
• Communicate observations clearly to nursing staff and document departures from unit.
• Assist patients with activities of daily living and mobility as needed.
• Respect age, disability and cultural needs in care planning.
• Document patient observations promptly and accurately in the chart.
• Complete assignments and communicate progress to ensure continuity of care.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Job description

At Oceans Behavioral Hospital Abilene, healing is our focus. We are passionate about helping adolescents, 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 Outpatient Program 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 MHT's training and experience. The MHT 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:

1. Adhere to professional standards, follow policies and procedures and abide by federal, state and local requirements, as well as Joint Commission standards.
2. 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.
3. Inventories patient belongings accurately and secures contraband as needed; completes unit safety checks.
4. Complies with standard/universal precautions and infection control policies and attends required in-services to keep self-informed.
5. 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.
6. Assists patients with laundry, meals, bathroom functions and maintaining of belongings; assists at risk and/or physically challenged patients with mobility needs as needed.
7. Individualizes all patient care activities to the age specific, disability, cultural sensitivity needs of the patient.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. Performs other duties and projects as assigned.