Behavioral Health Technician (Full Time)

Job Description:

Job Summary:

The Behavioral Health Technician I position is responsible for providing direct and supportive care to clients/patients. Duties generally include, but are not limited to, providing general oversight of day to day activities and at times, redirect of clients/patients; health monitoring (vital signs), intervene/respond to crisis and communicate with established treatment team, facilitate group education/structured activities, and/or transport clients/patients as needed. Behavioral Health Technicians are responsible for possessing a basic understanding of client/patient treatment plan, monitoring and documenting client/patient behavior and providing safe, therapeutic, and /supportive environment for clients/patients.

Essential Job Functions:

For Residential Facility and Withdrawal Management:

Admit, supervise, monitor, transfer, and discharge clients/patients.

Ensure monitoring of vital signs, signs and symptoms of withdrawal, and possess knowledge to determine need for escalation to medical intervention when critical symptoms present.

Obtain and record vital signs and relevant medical symptoms per policy and/or as indicated by medical personnel when applicable.

Oversee medication administration per policy and procedure and as permitted by appropriate training certifications/permissions.

Adhere to all medication policies and work with trained nursing staff to ensure all medication policies are followed whether self-administered by client/patient or staff-administered when appropriate training permits.

Maintains accurate records of client medications and documents the self-administration of medications by clients or staff administration of medications.

Monitors client self-administration of over the counter (OTC) medications, as well as the inventory and storage of OTC medications.

Properly documents client’s reported blood glucose level as indicated and maintains agency approved equipment per manufacturer’s guidelines.

Reports medication errors and/or medication discrepancies per agency policy and procedures.

Follows Medication Storage and Destruction Policy & Procedure.

Screen and monitor clients/patients for signs and symptoms of withdrawal to ensure that safety and recovery needs are being met (when applicable).

Facilitate client/patient supervision checks per policy and/or procedure or when indicated by a safety/precautions plan.

For Residential Care Facility (RCF):

Assist clients/patients with personal care (e.g. grooming, bathing, dressing, etc.) when needed.

Admit, supervise, monitor, transfer, and discharge clients/patients.

Ensure monitoring of vital signs and possess knowledge to determine need for escalation to medical intervention when critical symptoms present.

Obtain and record vital signs and relevant medical symptoms per policy and/or as indicated by medical personnel when applicable.

Oversee medication administration per policy and procedure and as permitted by appropriate training certifications/permissions.

Adhere to all medication policies and work with trained nursing staff to ensure all medication policies are followed whether self-administered by client/patient or staff-administered when appropriate training permits.

Maintains accurate records of client medications and documents the self-administration of medications by clients or staff administration of medications.

Monitors client self-administration of over the counter (OTC) medications, as well as the inventory and storage of OTC medications.

Properly documents client’s reported blood glucose level as indicated and maintains agency approved equipment per manufacturer’s guidelines.

Reports medication errors and/or medication discrepancies per agency policy and procedures.

Follows Medication Storage and Destruction Policy & Procedure.

Note: Any self-administration of medication has to be with physician orders (whether OTC or prescribed medications).

Facilitate client/patient supervision checks per policy and/or procedure or when indicated by a safety/precautions plan.

For all locations:

Encourage clients/patients to adhere to program expectations and rules in a trauma informed manner and communicate concerning behaviors to the treatment team and supervisor as soon as possible. The supervisor and/or treatment team will assist with developing/implementing therapeutic interventions.

Participate as an active member of the treatment team by helping to identify client’s strengths, needs, abilities and preferences.

Document and/or report at shift change and/or in client/patient record any exceptional behavior and/or areas of concerns related to client’s behaviors/interactions.

Assist in admission/orientation process with regard to client rights and rules under the supervision of the assigned supervisor. This may include obtaining vital signs, safety search of client/patient and/or belongings and collecting any urine/lab specimens for testing.

Facilitate urine collection, testing, lab send-offs, and document in the client record following policy and procedures.

Operate telephone system, record incoming messages accurately, place telephone calls as necessary or directed practicing good customer service skills and respond to crisis calls as necessary communicating with supervisor and/or treatment team in a timely manner.

Assist, educate, and redirect clients/patients in performing daily activities as needed.

Monitor client activities and document client activities occurring on shifts that are relevant to client’s/patient’s progress or behavior, including bed check documentation during overnight shifts.

Ensure all clients/patients are accounted and present in scheduled activities.

Foster adaptive behavior in clients by encouraging positive social interaction and role-modeling a solution focused approached to issues of concern.

Ensure precaution protocols are adhered to and appropriate documentation occurs.

Assist in monitoring general health conditions of clients/patients facilitating communications with the supervisor or treatment team in a timely manner.

Prepare for and facilitate group rehabilitative support, education, recovery skills, or recreation groups as scheduled and assigned. NOTE: In some programs, this may be a core aspect of job duties.

Provide client/patient transportation as needed to and from appointments. NOTE: In some programs, this may be a core aspect of job duties.

Maintain a standard of behavior that is, at all times, consistent with Organization Code of Conduct and program philosophy.

Complete all mandatory trainings within the required time frame within State Regulatory/CARF Standards.

Attend staff meetings, treatment team meetings, training sessions, etc. as requested by supervisors.

Maintains a safe and clean environment by observing general rules of good housekeeping.

Reports maintenance problems, broken or malfunctioning equipment, other mechanical safety concerns following established reporting procedures.

Be knowledgeable and adhere to all program policies and procedures.

Demonstrate interest in long term and short term goals and objectives of the organization.

Other duties as assigned by Leadership.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of confidentiality laws governing the treatment of substance use and mental health disorder treatment.

Capable of communicating ideas clearly and effectively both verbally and written to produce clear and concise reports.

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.

Ability to speak effectively with clients, Employees of organization, family members and other community contact