Behavioral Care Assistant*

About the position

The Behavioral Care Assistant provides basic direct and indirect, age-specific and developmentally appropriate patient care under the direct supervision of the Registered Nurse (RN). Assists patients with hygiene and dressing needs; changes linens; positions and transfers patients, e.g., in and out of bed, chair, commode, toileting; ensures privacy and modesty of patients. Performs designated procedures, e.g., urine and stool specimen collection, ambulation, vital signs, intake and output. Provides for patient safety: recognizes and reports behavioral changes, accurately completes safety rounds as assigned, performs routine checks for environmental safety. Follows guidelines for patients on one to one precautions. Assists with patient admission, transfer, and discharge procedures; orients patients to the environment. Prepares patients for meals and snacks; assists with feeding patients as needed. Performs duties within scope of practice and in accordance with policies, procedures, and techniques; seeks information and clarification when necessary. Performs other duties as needed.

Responsibilities

• Assist patients with hygiene and dressing needs
• Change linens
• Position and transfer patients
• Ensure privacy and modesty of patients
• Perform urine and stool specimen collection
• Assist with ambulation
• Take vital signs and monitor intake and output
• Recognize and report behavioral changes
• Complete safety rounds as assigned
• Perform routine checks for environmental safety
• Follow guidelines for patients on one to one precautions
• Assist with patient admission, transfer, and discharge procedures
• Orient patients to the environment
• Prepare patients for meals and snacks
• Assist with feeding patients as needed
• Perform duties within scope of practice
• Seek information and clarification when necessary
• Perform other duties as needed

Requirements

• Completion of a Managing Assaultive Behavior (MAB) course required within ninety days
• Successful completion of an approved Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program or completion of School of Nursing Fundamentals preferred
• Minimum six months experience as a nursing assistant preferred
• Minimum one year of experience in a hospital and/or acute psychiatric setting preferred

Nice-to-haves

• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification preferred

Benefits

• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required