Behavioral Health Technician (BHT)

Job Description

Job Description

Salary : $17-$21

Position Title : Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) Status : Exempt Non Exempt Department :

12-hour shifts

Operations

Job Description

Position Summary : Responsible for supporting the therapeutic milieu under the direction of the Program Manager, by ensuring that the schedule / program is

consistently delivered, patients are supervised, that safety is maintained, and patients and guests are treated with respect and dignity.

Qualifications

Education : High school degree or degree from an accredited college or university in social work, recreational therapy, or appropriate therapeutic field preferred.

Combination of education and relevant work experience may be required.

Experience : Previous experience in behavioral health, with direct experience working with chemical dependency, dual diagnosis,

psychiatric and geriatric patients preferred.

License : Will require valid driver’s license and a favorable Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) when using personal or facility owned vehicle.

Additional Requirements : CPR certification, clear TB Test, and Crisis Prevention Training (CPI) within 30 days of employment and prior to any patient contact.

Completion of additional age specific training within 30 days of employment as required. Must be at least 21 years of age.

May be required to work flexible hours and overtime. Must be able to pass fingerprint clearance level one in Arizona. Minimum of 1 year clean time / sobriety and in recovery.

STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE

COMPLIANCE

• Understands and adheres to facility compliance plan and code of conduct.
• Respects confidentiality at all times; follows HIPAA guidelines for disclosing information.
• Adhere to facility, department, corporate, personnel and standard policies and procedures.
• Treats all patients, visitors, and co-workers with dignity and respect.
• Always appears professional.

TEAMWORK

• Takes initiative to helps the team, is flexible when asked to assist in other areas.
• Consistently demonstrates positive and affirming behaviors even when addressing conflict or stressful situations.
• Demonstrates concern for overall team and understands how actions affect others. Shows a positive attitude and contributes to maintaining

an enjoyable and productive work environment.

Does not engage in any unfavorable behaviors such as rumors, inappropriate conversations, etc.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

• Assumes responsibility for maintaining a clean, safe environment. Demonstrates knowledge of the facility and services provided.
• Greets all customers in a positive manner and demonstrates sensitivity to customer’s needs.
• Answers telephone appropriate to department guidelines and avoids excessive transfers.
• Provides superior customer service while never crossing therapeutic boundaries.
• Demonstrates ability to listen to patient / customers regarding problematic issues in in a non-defensive manner.

ACCOUNTABILITY

• Adheres to attendance requirements. Utilizes correct procedure for taking time off.
• Attends departmental and staff meetings as required.
• Is accountable and shows pride in work; strives to do more than the minimum required. Shows initiative and completes work in a timely and accurate manner.
• Acknowledge mistakes and demonstrates willingness to learn and correct them.
• Demonstrates passion and hustle in all work.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsible for observation and maintenance of safe milieu through patient checks, safety monitoring, etc. : monitors for contraband, evaluates for change in condition, and provides line of sight or one on one care as directed.

Adheres to tasks delegated by the Program Manager related to the care of the patients including, establishing rapport, managing patient behavior, specimen collection, documentation, group education, and patient monitoring.

Demonstrates effective milieu management skills, which promote positive patient experiences.

Accompanies patients to off unit activities, i.e. meals, outside breaks, off unit visits, out-of-building activities and appointments

Responsible for reporting to all changes, to Program Manager or RN as necessary.

Assists with the admission process to include belongings inventory, visitation to unit, documentation, and other duties as delegated.

Documents property at admission, accounts for property usage during stay and reconciles property at discharge.

Comply with the established policy and procedure requiring a safe, clean, and therapeutic environment. (Conducts unit safety checks each shift)

Facilitates or co-facilitates psychoeducational and therapeutic activity groups effectively, using established guidelines and / or prepared and approved information.

Employs appropriate crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques as required and according to policy and procedure.

Maintain current knowledge of the program and protocol (policy and procedures) guidelines.

Provides assistance in orienting new staff members to their position.

Documents in the Medical Record according to established policies.

Provides pertinent feedback to the interdisciplinary treatment team regarding patient response to treatment interventions that assists in the development and revision of the treatment plan.

Provides support and assistance with other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND SPECIAL DEMANDS

1. Ability to sit and stand (one-third of the shift) and walk (two-thirds of the shift).

2. Ability to reach above, or below waist height, kneel, bend, stoop, turn, and twist (occasionally to frequently).

3. Ability to see well enough to read charts, treatment plans, and typewritten materials.

4. Ability to hear well enough to detect noise on the unit and have the ability to discern odors.6. Ability to frequently lift and carry.

6. Ability to manipulate small and large tools (electric thermometer, telephone, wheelchair, blood pressure cuffs, paper punch, staplers, copy machine, etc.)

7. Ability to spend majority of workday inside and the ability to spend part of the workday outside, assisting and supervising patients, as determined by hospital administration.

8. Ability to frequently handle hazardous / infectious waste.

9. Ability to work in an environment where chemicals are frequently used for cleaning, where medical and electrical hazards may

occasionally be present and where dust, and steam are frequently generated in housekeeping tasks.

10. Ability to work at a rapid pace and perform a variety of repetitive duties.

11. Ability to respond to exposure to blood and body fluids.

MACHINES, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT, AND OTHER WORK AIDES :

1. Medical and nursing equipment and supplies, i.e. Glucometer, Blood Pressure Cuff, EKG Machine, Thermometer, Wheelchair

2. Copy machine.

3. Policies, procedures, plans and program manuals.