Behavioral Health Associate (PRN)

Summit BHC

23h•Onsite

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Associate I is an individual contributor and an integral member of the multidisciplinary treatment team. The role monitors and reports client behaviors; provides continuous client care, supervision, interaction, and role modeling; assists with client data collection and records; and responds to crisis situations and medical emergencies as needed. This is an onsite position at Safe Harbor Recovery Center in Portsmouth, Virginia. The associate helps maintain a safe, positive, supportive, and structured environment; conducts safety checks and other supervision according to individualized guidelines; and supports clients’ treatment goals through routine interaction, therapeutic-recreational activities, educational groups, and encouragement to participate in treatment and unit activities. The role also includes recording vital signs and client information, communicating significant observations and changes in condition, applying de-escalation techniques, assisting with unit operations and client transitions, and providing shift reports.

Requirements

High school graduation or equivalent.
CPR certification and de-escalation training are 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 client wellbeing and maintain a safe, positive, supportive, and structured environment with constant awareness and supervision of clients.
Conduct safety checks at intervals in accordance with individualized supervision guidelines.
Check clients for contraband and manage clients’ valuables and belongings.
Interact routinely with clients, observe their behaviors, and communicate significant observations to a supervisor.
Encourage attendance at group therapy and promote participation in unit activities and treatment goals.
Facilitate client educational-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 in client records in a timely, accurate, and appropriate manner.
Apply de-escalation techniques to help manage clients’ emotions, behavior, and participation in treatment.
Assist with unit cleaning, new-admission chart organization, discharges, and filing; initiate client or 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 and orient new clients, introduce them to clients and staff, explain programs and activities, and encourage participation.
Consider clients’ needs and individual goals when motivating them to participate in beneficial activities; observe their interest levels and behaviors.
Contribute activity ideas and diverse therapeutic recreation programming.
Organize and set up equipment for recreational activities and provide activity resources and supplies as needed.
Enforce safety rules to prevent injury and modify activities to suit the needs of specific groups.
Help develop and maintain departmental resources and monitor equipment and supplies.