Behavioral Health Tech, BHU

CGH Medical Center

1d•$18 - $27

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Tech (BHT) is part of a multidisciplinary treatment team and works directly with patients who have mental illness or intellectual and developmental disabilities. Under the direction of a registered nurse, the BHT provides for patients’ personal care and comfort and supports their safety, therapeutic care, and recovery. The position is scheduled for 36 hours weekly, from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., including weekends. The BHT helps develop, review, and implement interdisciplinary treatment plans; observes and communicates patients’ responses and changes; and supervises or joins patients in recreational, social, and related activities. The role supports hygiene, grooming, daily living activities, nutrition, and patient independence; performs basic procedures such as taking vital signs and collecting specimens; conducts and documents safety rounds; and provides one-on-one observation for high-risk patients. The BHT uses crisis-prevention techniques, screens visitors, helps prevent contraband from entering the unit, maintains patient paper charts and a safe, orderly nursing-station environment, and provides clerical and supply support. The role also responds to patient call lights and requests, maintains effective working relationships, accepts reassignment as needed, and supports professional practice as a role model and resource. With specialized training and written approval, the BHT may perform additional tasks relevant to the assigned area.

Requirements

Current CNA certification; must be active as a CNA on the Illinois Health Care Worker Registry.
Complete advanced MOAB training within 90 days of hire.
Obtain BLS within 30 days of hire.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a behavioral health setting.
Strong knowledge of psychiatric patient-care techniques and terminology.
Strong operational knowledge of Microsoft Windows and Office products and ability to learn the CGH order-entry system.

Responsibilities

Participate in developing, reviewing, and implementing interdisciplinary treatment plans under registered nurse supervision.
Observe and evaluate patients’ responses to therapeutic activities and report changes or unusual occurrences to the multidisciplinary team.
Supervise and participate in group or individual recreational, social, and related activities under the direction of a registered nurse and/or program therapist.
Support patient hygiene, grooming, activities of daily living, nutrition, independence, and recovery.
Perform basic nursing procedures, including taking vital signs, collecting specimens, and escorting patients to activities or scheduled tests.
Complete and document safety rounds to help maintain a therapeutic, secure, and safe environment.
Use appropriate therapeutic crisis-intervention and prevention techniques, including MOAB.
Screen visitors, direct them to designated areas, help prevent contraband from entering the unit, and respond appropriately to unusual activity.
Provide one-on-one observation for high-risk patients.
Assemble, process, and maintain patients’ paper charts.
Maintain a clean, neat, safe, orderly, and businesslike nursing-station environment.
Provide clerical support for the unit and help control and order unit supplies as requested.
Promptly answer patient call lights and requests.
Maintain professional conduct and effective working relationships with nursing-unit personnel and other hospital employees.
Perform additional specialized tasks relevant to the assigned area when appropriately trained and authorized in writing.
Accept reassignment as needed to provide care for patients.
Support professional practice by serving as a role model and resource person.