BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TECHNICIAN

Shift: Rotation of day and afternoon shifts, occational weekends. Days and hours are subject to change.

Job Summary

Functions as a member of the treatment team under the clinical direction of a registered nurse by providing patient care and performing evaluations of psychiatric patients in the emergency room. The Behavioral Health Technician position provides direct one-on-one and group counseling services to mental health patients while participating in team assessments and care plan development.

Essential Job Functions

* Delivers direct and indirect patient care in accordance with hospital policies, procedures, protocols, and standards of care.

* Performs and/or assists with patient care needs as directed.

* Assists patients with activities of daily living if needed.

* Conducts vitals on patients.

* Conducts timed observation rounding of patients on the unit, based upon the patient's identified level of risk.

* Collects, documents, and reports ongoing patient care data as directed.

* Interacts with assigned patients, makes pertinent observations of patients' behaviors, reports and records same.

* Remains with and observes assigned patients in a one-to-one situation if necessary.

* Demonstrates good interview techniques with phone contacts/patient/family/significant others and documents accordingly.

* Accompany patients off the unit for testing as needed.

* Assists in developing an educational process for the provision and coordination of patient care activities that promote and maintain health, foster self-care, and improve outcomes.

* Reports to R. N. information regarding the patient's readiness to learn.

* Plans and initiates patients' activities.

* Facilitates groups as requested.

* Documents observations in group/activity sessions.

* Demonstrates leadership by utilizing the behaviors inherent to the role of Behavioral Health Technician.

* Demonstrates an ability to solve problems utilizing critical thinking skills and seeks assistance from immediate supervisor when appropriate.

* Demonstrates knowledge of chain of command; refers patient questions/requests information to appropriate supervisor.

* Effectively functions as a resource person.

* Acts as patient advocate.

* Assists in the department's compliance with state, JCAHO, OSHA, and other regulatory agencies.

* Assists in preparation for inspection and surveys.

* Conducts audits to ensure compliance and quality care as directed

* Adheres to the infection control process, including standard precautions, to reduce the risk of acquiring or transmitting infections.

* Participates in preparation for inspections, surveys and audits.

* Participates in ongoing unit performance improvement activities.

* Completes and documents follow up phone calls to patients and/or their families who have been discharged from the Emergency Department.

* Provides and participates in educational activities.

* Provides and documents patient/family education.

* Participates in staff education, both as participant and presenter.

* Makes recommendations for staff development.

* Serves on hospital committees and participates in other related projects as directed.

* Precept new Behavioral Health technician staff on the unit and in the Emergency Department.

* Process psychiatric emergencies.

* Assesses the severity of guest's presenting condition.

* Completes Evidence Based Tools to screen and assess for patient's risk of Suicide.

* Utilizes clinical expertise in collaboration with Emergency Department and Psychiatric team members to assign patient's levels of risk.

* Works collaboratively with Nursing Staff to an effective comprehensive crisis resolution.

* Works collaboratively with all Emergency Departments of Excela Health hospitals to facilitate effective resolution of behavioral health issues.

* Obtains authorization/reauthorization/certifications as appropriate for ongoing treatment

* Demonstrates a working knowledge of the Mental Health Procedures Act.

* Other duties as assigned.

Specialty Functions

* Works collaboratively with the Emergency Department and Behavioral Health treatment team to affect an effective comprehensive crisis solution.

* Communicates pertinent information of actual/potential problems to the professional staff.

* Communicates pertinent information at shift reports and during internal and external transfers.

* Consults with the Psychiatrist all clinical screening and assessment information after completion of the clinical interview of the patient and/or family in the Emergency Department.

* Consults with the Psychiatrist and Charge Nurse about incoming bed search requests.

* Conducts bed searches to facilitate patient transfers to other Behavioral Health Inpatient facilities.

* Consults with Psychiatrist and Emergency Department Physician on the need for admission to a higher level of care.

* Assists in development of the treatment plans and caring plans for patients being discharged from the Emergency Department.

* Conducts groups on the unit when available.

* Completes Positive Coping Plans for patients who are being discharged to home on the Acute Medical floors following Psychiatric consultations for suicide risk.

* Provides for patient safety in compliance with hospital and nursing department policies.

* Utilizes two forms of patient identification before implementing any form of patient care.

* Assumes appropriate code team role during code situations or mock codes.

* Responds effectively during emergency situations, including internal and external disasters.

* Assists in maintaining a safe and clean environment for patients, visitors and staff.

* Supports limited use of restraints in accordance with established standards and documents according to policies.

* Oversees that sufficient and proper supplies are maintained on an assigned unit.

* Monitors sterile supplies for expiration date and replaces as needed.

* Distributes and maintains a sufficient supply of linens in assigned patient care areas.

* Replenishes daily/weekly unit stock from appropriate departments, i. e. , CSR, storeroom.

* Cleans supplies and unit-maintained equipment.

* Checks patient belongings for contraband and logs in on Patient/Valuable/Belongings sheet.

* Performs patient observations per unit policy. Performs unit safety checks, including room checks, per unit policy.

* Understands and utilizes principles of non-violent crisis intervention.

* Observes patients for increase in agitation and reports to RN for early intervention.

* Assists as needed in handling, restraining and secluding agitated patients using the least restrictive means.

* Assists in establishing control of the patient who is awaiting disposition from the Emergency Department.

* Knows how to use panic button and how to call security for assistance as needed.

* Utilizes Crisis Intervention skills.

* Provides crisis intervention utilization prescribed departmental procedure and recognized best practice techniques.

* Documents services provided according to department and regulatory agencies.

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