Behavioral Health Technician

Independence Health System Careers•Unity Township, PA

16d

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Technician delivers direct and indirect patient care in accordance with hospital policies, procedures, protocols, and standards of care. The role supports patients with activities of daily living, vital signs, observations, data collection, patient and family education, group activities, crisis intervention, and safety needs. The technician works collaboratively with nursing staff, psychiatrists, emergency department physicians, treatment teams, patients’ families, outside agencies, and other Independence Health System departments to support assessment, crisis resolution, treatment planning, and appropriate patient disposition. In the Emergency Department and on inpatient or acute medical units, the technician helps assess presenting conditions and suicide risk, facilitates voluntary and involuntary commitment processes, coordinates bed searches and transfers, and communicates relevant information to professional staff. The role also includes documentation, authorizations, quality and regulatory compliance, unit and supply safety, staff education, precepting, and participation in committees and performance improvement activities. The incumbent may work rotating shifts, standby, or on-call based on operational need and may travel locally between System locations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Psychology or a related field.
Strong leadership ability and organizational skills.
Independent and critical-thinking skills and sound judgment.
Knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.
Ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through an American Heart Association-approved CPR and AED curriculum.
Act 34 clearance with renewal.
Act 33 clearance with renewal.
Act 73 FBI clearance.

Nice To Haves

One year of mental health experience in a similar setting.

Responsibilities

Deliver direct and indirect patient care according to hospital policies, procedures, protocols, and standards of care.
Assist patients with activities of daily living, take vital signs, conduct patient observations and safety checks, and collect, document, and report patient care data.
Observe and report patient behaviors and remain with assigned patients for one-to-one observation when necessary.
Conduct patient, family, and significant-other interviews and document psychosocial histories, assessments, and clinical activities within required time frames.
Accompany patients off the unit for testing as needed.
Support patient education, self-care, recovery-based goals, treatment planning, and care coordination; report patients’ readiness to learn to the R.N.
Plan and facilitate patient activities and groups, and document observations during group and activity sessions.
Screen and assess suicide risk using evidence-based tools, collaborate with clinical team members to assign risk levels, and support crisis resolution.
Collaborate with Emergency Department, psychiatric, nursing, and treatment-team staff to assess patients, determine appropriate levels of care, and coordinate care and disposition.
Consult with psychiatrists and physicians regarding screening and assessment information, admission to a higher level of care, bed-search requests, and patient disposition.
Conduct bed searches and facilitate patient transfers to other behavioral health inpatient facilities.
Obtain or coordinate authorizations, reauthorizations, and certifications for ongoing treatment.
Complete follow-up phone calls to patients or families discharged from the Emergency Department, return calls, and document communications.
Facilitate voluntary and involuntary commitments in the Emergency Room and on Acute Medical floors, attend involuntary commitment hearings, and consult on Mental Health Procedures Act matters.
Complete Positive Coping Plans for patients discharged home from Acute Medical floors following psychiatric consultations for suicide risk.
Provide crisis intervention using departmental procedures and recognized best-practice techniques; assist with handling, restraining, or secluding agitated patients using the least restrictive means and in accordance with policy.
Maintain patient safety, use two forms of patient identification before care, support limited restraint use, and respond to emergencies, codes, mock codes, and disasters as appropriate.
Check patient belongings for contraband and log belongings; maintain a safe and clean environment for patients, visitors, and staff.
Maintain unit supplies, linens, and equipment; monitor sterile-supply expiration dates, replenish stock, and clean supplies and unit-maintained equipment.
Support compliance with state, JCAHO, OSHA, and other regulatory requirements; participate in inspections, surveys, audits, and unit performance-improvement activities.
Document services, patient assessments, activity logs, authorizations, and other required information according to department and regulatory standards.
Participate in and provide educational activities, make staff-development recommendations, precept new Behavioral Health Technician staff, and serve on committees or related projects as directed.
Communicate pertinent information about actual or potential problems, including at shift reports and during internal and external transfers.
Collaborate with outside agencies to obtain patient-related clinical information for physicians and nursing staff, and act as a liaison.
Use computers for email, scheduling, authorizations, insurance tracking, and other required tasks.
Attend at least 75% of staff meetings and read and sign minutes for meetings not attended.
Perform other duties as assigned.