Behavioral Health Tech- Night

St. Josephs Medical Center•Houston, TX

About The Position

Under the supervision and direction of the Clinical Nurse and in accordance with established procedures, the Behavioral Health Tech performs routine service duties and technical and nursing procedures to support patients’ care, comfort, and safety. The role promotes the hospital’s service standards and patient safety, protects confidential health information, supports the behavioral health milieu, and assists patients with daily needs. This is a full-time night-shift position from 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.; weekends may rotate.

Requirements

At least two years of experience working with mental health patients.
American Heart Association Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
High school graduate or GED.
Technical, critical-thinking, and interpersonal skills relevant to Behavioral Medicine.
Ability to communicate effectively in English, verbally and in writing.
Basic computer knowledge.
A caring and friendly attitude toward patients and customers.
Good body mechanics and lifting techniques.
Working knowledge of preventive management of aggressive behavior.
Understanding of laws affecting mental health care.

Responsibilities

Support the hospital’s Spirit of Serving Standards and its mission, vision, and values.
Follow HIPAA guidelines to prevent or detect unauthorized disclosure of protected health information.
Promote patient and Associate safety through appropriate identification, reporting, documentation, and prevention of medical errors.
Conduct environmental rounds with the incoming shift, maintain the environmental log sheet, and keep the patient-room unit environment neat and orderly.
Take ordered vital signs and blood sugar readings, report abnormal readings to the charge nurse, and document vital signs in the medical record.
Monitor hallways and conduct rounds every 15 minutes according to Behavioral Department guidelines, paying close attention to special precautions.
Maintain safety in the milieu by remaining on the unit and engaging patients in therapeutic interaction or activities, especially during free time.
Search patient belongings and conduct visual body searches on admission using a wand; document patient valuables and belongings.
Report observed changes in patients’ behavior or condition and unusual incidents to the Registered Nurse.
Respond to patients at the defensive level using a directive approach and clear, simple, enforceable limits delivered objectively and without threat; use de-escalation for potential acting-out behavior.
Follow seclusion and restraint guidelines and understand patient rights in these emergency situations.
Support safety during 1:1 observation of assault-risk patients by positioning between the assigned patient and peers.
Assess patients’ daily needs and activities of daily living, assisting as needed.
Prepare patients for meals, check trays for correctness, and serve and assist with meals and snacks.
Transport patients to and from other departments and collect and transport specimens to the correct department as needed.
Initiate or assist with basic life support when needed.
Use an appropriate tone, volume, and cadence in all interactions.