Behavioral Health Associate 5; Unit Coordinator

Acadia•Magee, MS

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Responsible for providing personal care services to patients at the facility under the direction of clinical or nursing leadership. This role involves coordinating and leading the work of others, identifying developmental needs of staff, ensuring patient safety through rounds and maintaining a clean environment, obtaining patient vital signs, and engaging with patients to encourage treatment goal achievement. The associate will respond to distressed patients using non-threatening approaches and de-escalation techniques, assist with seclusion and restraints when necessary, and contribute to the multidisciplinary team by providing safety, increasing coping skills, and developing strategies for patient independence. They will monitor behavioral improvements, reinforce positive behaviors, and report changes to the treatment team. Additionally, the role includes reinforcing skills taught by nurses, physicians, and therapists, leading or co-leading individual or group sessions, participating in rehabilitation and treatment programs, and teaching strategies for patient wellness and independence. The associate will also oversee or assist patients with activities of daily living, deliver care based on priority of needs, assist with admissions and discharges, provide guidance and training to other staff, perform administrative tasks, and provide or coordinate patient transportation. Quality of work is demonstrated through accuracy, neatness, and timeliness. A positive, empathetic, and professional attitude is expected, with a focus on resolving patient complaints and prioritizing patient safety.

Requirements

Associate’s degree in human service field required.
Two or more years’ experience as a Behavioral Health Associate required.
CPR and de-escalation and restraint certification required (training available upon hire and offered by facility).

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in human service field preferred.
Two or more years’ experience working with the specific population of the facility preferred.
First aid may be required based on state or facility requirements.

Responsibilities

Coordinate and lead the work and activities of others, including scheduling programs and activities.
Identify the developmental needs of assigned staff by coaching, mentoring or helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
Ensure patient safety through required rounds completed timely and maintaining a clean and uncluttered patient room.
Obtain patient’s vital signs, height and weight as assigned and ensure accurate documentation.
Identify self to patient and visitors promptly and respond to patient requests quickly.
Engage with patient in activities and interactions designed to encourage achievement of treatment goals.
Respond to distressed patients in a non-threatening manner and attempt to understand the source of distress.
Apply de-escalation techniques to help manage patient’s emotions, behavior and participation in treatment and assist with seclusion and restraints when necessary.
As part of the multidisciplinary team provide safety and increase coping skills of patient and assist in developing strategies for helping patients to be as independent as possible.
Monitor behavioral improvements and reinforce these behaviors. Report changes and responses to treatment by communicating with team. Significant changes are reported to nurse immediately.
Reinforce skills patients learn from nurses, physicians and therapist that promote improved physical and mental wellness.
Lead or co-lead individual or group sessions as part of specific recreational or therapeutic procedures.
Participate in rehabilitation and treatment programs as well as teach strategies to promote patient wellness and independence, as needed.
Oversee or assist patients with activities of daily living, including toileting, bathing, dressing, grooming, oral hygiene, meals, snacks, hydration and changing bed linens, as needed.
Deliver care based on the priority of needs and available resources to the specific service population of the facility.
Help with admissions and discharges, as needed.
Provide guidance and direction to other staff members, including training of new staff, or otherwise assisting in day-to-day operations.
Perform day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining files and processing paperwork.
Provide transportation for patient or coordinate transportation with appropriate staff member, as needed.
Perform other functions and tasks as assigned.