Behavioral Health Technician

Description

Shift: Days
Behavioral Health Technician provides direct patient care similar to a Nurse Assistant

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
High school diploma or equivalent required.
Two-year degree in related field preferred.
Previous psychiatric or Nurse Assistant experience with preference for experience as a Mental Health Technician on an inpatient psychiatric unit
Must have the ability to provide physical assistance to patients as well as physical management along with the capability to lift at least 30 pounds.
SPECIFIC DUTIES:
Maintains established departmental policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance and performance improvement programs, safety, environmental and infections control standards
Participates in the development, implementation and evaluation of patient treatment programs
Provides care to patients in a manner that considers safety, comfort, and the therapeutic environment. Assists patients with the activities of daily living
Takes vital signs, weighs patients, and collects specimens as needed
Maintains awareness of patient's physical and mental status
Reports and documents observations in legible, accurate and appropriate format following hospital and unit procedures
May attend, co-facilitate or lead didactic lectures, group therapy or activity therapies
Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, workshops, attending in-service education and reviewing current literature
Assists with admissions and discharges per unit protocols
Explains unit rules and responsibilities to patients
Transports patients to off-site activities as needed
Promotes good public relations with department personnel, physicians, other referral sources, patient families and the community
Therapeutically shares knowledge of self-help groups
Attends staff meetings as required
Demonstrates competency through hospital and department checklists, customer/patient evaluation, clinical staff dialogue, performance appraisals and staff education
May receive, stock, restock, transport pharmaceuticals
Provides oversight of patient self-administration of medication in accordance with unit protocols

Unit Clerk responsibilities may include:
                Answering incoming phone calls
                Preparing and updating charts
                Chart auditing and staffing review
 
The Unit Clerk hourly pay rate may vary from the Behavioral Health Technician pay rate.