Behavioral Health Assoc- FT (Days)

Summit BHC•Harlingen, TX

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Associate I works under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse as an integral member of the multidisciplinary treatment team. The role monitors and reports patient behaviors; provides continuous patient care, supervision, interaction, and role modeling; assists with patient data collection, recording, and maintenance; and responds to crisis situations and medical emergencies as needed. The position helps maintain a safe, positive, supportive, and structured environment while supporting patients’ daily needs and treatment goals. It also includes documenting observations and care, facilitating educational and rehabilitative groups, assisting with unit operations and patient transitions, and communicating information between shifts. The position is onsite in Harlingen, Texas, and is an individual-contributor role.

Requirements

High school graduate or equivalent.
CPR certification required; training is available upon hire and offered by the facility.
De-escalation and restraint certification required; training is available upon hire and offered by the facility.
First aid may be required depending on state or facility requirements.

Nice To Haves

Six months or more of experience working with the specific population served by the facility.
Knowledge of common psychiatric disorders and/or dual diagnosis and treatment modalities for the population served.

Responsibilities

Ensure patient wellbeing and maintain a safe, positive, supportive, and structured environment under the direction of a charge nurse or supervisor.
Maintain awareness of and supervise patients continuously.
Assist patients with activities of daily living, including toileting, bathing, dressing, grooming, oral hygiene, meals, snacks, hydration, and changing bed linens.
Conduct safety checks at intervals specified by individualized supervision guidelines.
Check patients for contraband and manage patient valuables and belongings.
Interact routinely with patients, observe their behaviors, and communicate significant observations to a supervisor.
Engage patients in activities and interactions that encourage achievement of treatment goals.
Facilitate educational and rehabilitative groups on topics such as social skills, coping skills, and independent living skills.
Take and accurately record vital signs and communicate significant changes in patients’ conditions to the clinical team.
Chart in patient records in a timely, accurate, and appropriate manner.
Apply de-escalation techniques to help manage patients’ emotions, behavior, and participation in treatment; assist with seclusion and restraints when necessary.
Assist with unit cleaning, organization of new-admission charts, discharge processes, filing, and related tasks.
Initiate patient and employee incident reports.
Provide or coordinate patient transfers and transportation as required.
Receive reports from the previous shift to plan care and give an accurate, thorough report to the oncoming shift.