Behavioral Health Associate - PRN

Summit BHC•Las Cruces, NM

21h•Onsite

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Associate I is an integral member of the multidisciplinary treatment team, responsible for monitoring and reporting client behaviors; providing continuous client care, supervision, interaction, and role modeling; assisting with client data collection and record maintenance; and responding to crises and medical emergencies as needed. This is an onsite, individual-contributor position at Las Cruces Recovery Center in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The associate helps maintain a safe, positive, supportive, and structured environment; observes and engages clients; supports treatment goals and participation in therapy and unit activities; facilitates educational and rehabilitative groups; records vital signs and client information; and communicates relevant changes or observations to clinical staff. The role also includes de-escalation, shift handoffs, client orientation, activity planning and facilitation, equipment and supply management, and assistance with unit operations and client transportation when required.

Requirements

High school graduate or equivalent.
CPR certification and de-escalation training are 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 depending on state or facility requirements.

Responsibilities

Ensure client wellbeing and maintain a safe, positive, supportive, and structured environment.
Maintain constant awareness and supervision of clients, including conducting safety checks at intervals specified by individualized supervision guidelines.
Check clients for contraband and manage client valuables and belongings.
Interact routinely with clients, observe their behaviors, and communicate significant observations to a supervisor.
Encourage attendance at group therapy and participation in unit activities.
Engage clients in activities and interactions that support 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 client’s condition to the charge nurse.
Chart timely, accurate, and appropriate information in client records.
Apply de-escalation techniques to help manage client emotions, behavior, and participation in treatment.
Assist with unit cleaning, organizing new-admission charts, the discharge process, filing, and other unit tasks.
Initiate client and employee incident reports.
Provide or coordinate client transfers and transportation as required.
Receive a report from the previous shift to plan for the shift and provide an accurate, thorough report to the oncoming shift.
Welcome new clients, introduce them to other clients and staff, explain programs, and encourage participation.
Orient clients to the activities program and explain the benefits of activities.
Remain aware of clients’ needs and individual goals and motivate them toward beneficial activities.
Observe clients’ interest levels and behaviors.
Contribute ideas to activity planning and a diverse therapeutic recreation program.
Organize and set up equipment for recreational activities.
Provide activity resources and supplies to clients as needed.
Enforce safety rules to prevent injury and modify activities to suit specific groups.
Help develop and maintain departmental resources and monitor equipment and supplies.