Behavioral Health Technician

University Hospital Continuing Care Campus is a 20 bed inpatient psychiatric facility who specialize in providing comprehensive and compassionate Behavioral Health Services to the Adult population 18 years and older.

A Brief Overview

The Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) provides direct care and support to patients with mental illness, addiction, or behavioral challenges. Working under licensed professionals (RN) they monitor patient behavior, record vital signs, to facilitate and lead activities, and assist with daily care.

What You Will Do

• Milieu Management: Facilitate group activities that are appropriate for the patient population. Assigned to do 1:1 sessions when patient's are not able to be in a group session due to their current mental state, to support a therapeutic milieu. Help support therapeutic behaviors by understanding the difference between patient's diagnosis and the different symptoms they may present with, Help maintain a safe, clean environment.
• Crisis Intervention: Having a working knowledge of severe mental Illness and the various symptoms related to the many Illnesses. The BHT, knowing the different stages of a crisis situation, will use the appropriate de-escalation techniques such as active listening, proper non threatening demeanor to help prevent further escalation of situation and maintain a supportive Milieu.
• Clinical Support: Take vital signs, assist with intake and discharge, document patient findings in the electronic health record. Document group and 1:1 session in the electronic record.
• Patient Monitoring: Perform routine safety checks, observe daily actions, and document mood or behavioral changes.

Additional Responsibilities

• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Complies with all policies and standards.
• For specific duties and responsibilities, refer to documentation provided by the department during orientation.
• Must abide by all requirements to safely and securely maintain Protected Health Information (PHI) for our patients. Annual training, the UH Code of Conduct and UH policies and procedures are in place to address appropriate use of PHI in the workplace.

Education

• High School Equivalent / GED (Required)
• Associate's Degree in applied science in Psychology (Preferred) or
• Bachelor's Degree in Psychology or currently enrolled in an accredited program (Preferred)

Work Experience

• 1+ years of Inpatient or Outpatient Psychiatry (Preferred)

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of the different mental health diagnosis, Such as symptoms associated with Bipolar 1 & 2, Knowing the Facilitate with behaviors related to Schizophrenia or Substance induced psychosis. Demonstrate the ability to communicate with patients who have a developmental disabilities and managing their behaviors in a Milieu. (Preferred proficiency)
• Basic patient care skills. (Preferred proficiency)
• Effective communication with people from varied socioeconomic backgrounds. (Required proficiency)
• Able to organize changing work assignments. (Required proficiency)
• Flexibility. (Required proficiency)
• Patient focused. (Required proficiency)
• Positive, can-do attitude; self-motivated and willing to learn. (Required proficiency)
• Basic computer data entry skills. (Required proficiency)
• Able to communicate effectively in English, both written and verbal. (Required proficiency)

Licenses and Certifications

• Basic Life Support (BLS) (Required within 30 Days)
• High Risk HARP (Required within 30 Days)
• Behavioral Health Technician Certification (Required Upon Hire)

Physical Demands

• Standing Frequently
• Walking Frequently
• Sitting Rarely
• Lifting Frequently up to 50 lbs
• Carrying Frequently up to 50 lbs
• Pushing Frequently up to 50 lbs
• Pulling Frequently up to 50 lbs
• Climbing Occasionally up to 50 lbs
• Balancing Occasionally
• Stooping Frequently
• Kneeling Frequently
• Crouching Frequently
• Crawling Occasionally
• Reaching Frequently
• Handling Frequently
• Grasping Frequently
• Feeling Constantly
• Talking Constantly
• Hearing Constantly
• Repetitive Motions Constantly
• Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination Constantly

Travel Requirements

• 10%