BHA

Summit BHC•Dona Ana County Crisis Triage Center, NM

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Associate I works under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse as an integral part 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. This is an onsite, individual-contributor position at Dona Ana County Crisis Triage Center in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The associate helps maintain a safe, positive, supportive, and structured environment under the direction of a charge nurse or supervisor.

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.

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.
First aid may be required based on state or facility requirements.

Responsibilities

Ensure patient wellbeing and maintain a safe, positive, supportive, and structured environment under the direction of the charge nurse or supervisor.
Maintain constant awareness and supervision of patients and conduct safety checks according to individualized supervision guidelines.
Assist clients with activities of daily living, including toileting, bathing, dressing, grooming, oral hygiene, meals, snacks, hydration, and changing bed linens.
Check patients for contraband and manage patient valuables and belongings.
Interact routinely with patients, observe their behavior, and communicate significant observations to the supervisor.
Engage patients in activities and interactions designed to encourage progress toward treatment goals.
Facilitate educational and rehabilitative groups on topics such as social skills, coping skills, and independent living skills.
Take and record vital signs properly and communicate significant changes in a patient's condition to the clinical team.
Chart in patient records in a timely, accurate, and appropriate manner.
Apply de-escalation techniques to help manage patient emotions, behavior, and participation in treatment; assist with seclusion and restraints when necessary.
Assist with unit cleaning, organizing new-admission charts, the discharge process, and filing.
Initiate patient and employee incident reports.
Provide or coordinate patient transfers and transportation as required.
Receive reports from the previous shift to plan work and provide an accurate, thorough report to the oncoming shift.
Respond to crisis situations and medical emergencies as needed.