Behavioral Health Technician - Emergency Department

UNC Health•Raleigh, NC

19h•Onsite

About The Position

Under close supervision, the Behavioral Health Technician helps provide a safe, supportive, and therapeutic environment for psychiatric patients in Zone 4, an 8-bed behavioral health holding area within the UNC REX Emergency Department. The role provides direct patient care and may conduct therapeutic group sessions under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse (RN). The technician contributes information to help the RN develop patient care plans and assists in carrying them out, including admitting and orienting patients and families. The position is onsite in Raleigh, North Carolina, works a night schedule from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., and is full time at 36 standard hours per week. The listed hiring range is $19.12–$27.17 per hour; pay offers depend on experience and internal equity.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Listed as a Nursing Assistant I by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) certification within 60 days of hire.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
One year of relevant experience in a behavioral health environment.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients and hospital staff.
Ability to work with patients with sensitivity and understanding, secure their cooperation, and maintain an empathetic attitude.
Ability to work with individuals and groups in didactic or recreational groups.
Ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
Fluency in verbal and written English.
Ability to develop computer skills if not already competent.

Responsibilities

Help patients with reality orientation and participate in behavior modification plans and therapy.
Provide informal support to patients and families and use verbal de-escalation with potentially aggressive patients.
Assist with the physical management of aggressive or out-of-control patients, including participation in restraints when necessary.
Facilitate age-appropriate play for children and monitor therapeutic milieu activities to help meet patients’ emotional and safety needs.
Assist with routine admission interviews and orient patients and families to the facility.
Provide information during team discussions and meetings to support development of therapeutic plans and objectives.
Interact with patients individually and in small groups; facilitate assigned groups to encourage participation appropriate to members’ functional levels.
Observe, collect, and document patient information, and promptly report significant changes in condition or behavior to a registered nurse or physician.
Provide personal care for activities of daily living, including bathing, hygiene, feeding, and dressing.
Assist patients with position changes, range-of-motion exercises, transfers, and walking.
Obtain and record vital signs, intake and output, and other delegated measures.
Observe patients, assess progress daily, and report significant changes to the supervising RN.
Provide protection and control as needed for patient safety, and monitor patients in seclusion or restraint.
Reinforce routine teaching provided by the RN or physician, document patient understanding, and distribute patient education materials when requested.