Behavioral Health Technician

Strategic Resources•Pearsall, TX

19d

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) supports behavioral health services for ICE Health Services Corps (IHSC), which provides healthcare to detainees within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations, under the Department of Homeland Security. The BHT works under the clinical direction of a licensed Behavioral Health Provider (BHP) and contributes to patient care, monitoring, education, and therapeutic programming in an integrated care setting. The role includes conducting mental health screenings, collecting health data, observing patient behavior, performing wellness and sleep checks, supporting activities of daily living, monitoring safety and risk, facilitating basic psycho-educational groups, and providing individual patient education and support. The BHT documents observations and care in the electronic health record, helps coordinate appointments and follow-up care, and supports treatment planning and medication management through information gathered during patient contacts. This full-time position requires availability to work days, evenings, weekends, and holidays according to facility mission needs. IHSC operates 24/7/365, and the position must respond during emergency activation; on-call availability is not required. Candidates must obtain and maintain the required security clearance and receive favorable fitness determinations. The work involves physical activity and emergency-response duties within the facility.

Requirements

Associate degree in a behavioral science or specialty field from an institution or program accredited by an entity recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Two years of work experience in a mental health clinic or residential healthcare setting.
Obtain American Association of Psychiatric Technicians (AAPT) certification at level three within 12 months of hire.
Maintain current certification in either the American Heart Association Basic Life Support Course (BLS) or the American Red Cross CPR/BLS Course.
Strong oral and written communication skills, active listening, interpersonal skills, organizational and time-management skills, problem-solving, judgment, decision-making, integrity, honesty, and cultural awareness.
Basic knowledge of therapeutic communication and psychiatric recovery and rehabilitation skills.
Ability to conduct clinical mental health screenings and facilitate skill-building exercises, patient safety groups, and wellness processing groups.
Ability to coordinate instructional recreational activities and respond with cultural awareness to the needs of diverse populations.
Ability to navigate electronic health records, web-based training, and communications.
Proficient verbal and written English communication skills to develop positive rapport with patients, coworkers, and other stakeholders.
Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships and take direction in a multidisciplinary environment.
Knowledge of HIPAA and Privacy Act requirements concerning confidential patient health records and information, as well as Personally Identifiable Information (PII).
Moderate proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and SharePoint.
Obtain and maintain the assigned security clearance and receive the required favorable fitness determinations from the Department of Homeland Security Personnel Security Unit.
Able to perform the physical demands of the work, including prolonged standing; walking or jogging over uneven surfaces; recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, or reaching; and lifting moderately heavy patients or equipment.
Able to respond to a medical emergency within the facility on foot within four minutes and perform CPR or emergency care while standing or kneeling.

Nice To Haves

Spanish-speaking ability is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Provide direct services to the assigned population under the clinical direction of a licensed Behavioral Health Provider.
Conduct mental health screenings and collect health data.
Observe patient behaviors and perform wellness checks, including medical housing unit and special-needs monitoring.
Perform sleep hygiene encounters and checks as directed.
Prompt patients as needed with activities of daily living.
Provide health and general program education and patient support.
Monitor patient safety and risk, and promote patient engagement and compliance.
Escort behavioral health detainees to appointments as required.
Observe patient behavior during programming and recreation activities.
Maintain basic knowledge of behavioral health interventions, psychotropic medications, possible side effects, and effects on patient functioning.
Facilitate basic therapeutic and psycho-educational groups, including processing groups and alternative programming.
Provide direct individual patient education, care, and treatment.
Assist in developing behavioral treatment interventions, including coping skills, anger management, and self-regulation activities.
Gather patient-care information through frequent contacts to assist providers with diagnosis, treatment planning, and medication management.
Document clinical observations, including mood, affect, mental sharpness, sleep, eating habits, overall functioning, and observed changes.
Manage program schedules, including group schedules, telehealth appointments, and individual check-ins.
Chaperone tele-behavioral health or other clinical appointments and obtain and record vital signs when available.
Manage crises in emergent situations using sound judgment and team collaboration in accordance with facility procedures and IHSC policy.
Continue professional development through in-service education, workshops, conferences, and self-study.
Adhere to IHSC, PBNDS, ACA, and NCCHC standards.
Maintain proficiency in and accurately use the IHSC electronic medical record.
Respond during emergency activation and be able to reach a medical emergency within the facility on foot within four minutes.
Assist sick, injured, or aging detainees or staff in exiting the building during an emergency.