Behavioral Health Technician - Post-Surgical Unit Nights - 24hrs/wk

umhealthwest • Wyoming, MI

7d

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Technician assists nursing staff by continuously observing patients to maintain safety, ensuring the safety of patients and their environment, and interacting appropriately with patients. Under the direction and supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN), the technician assists with basic nursing care and activities of daily living. The role is a night-shift position scheduled for 24 hours per week, with weekend work required and no on-call responsibility.

Responsibilities include monitoring patients and their environment, supporting activity and comfort, assisting with hygiene, nutrition, and elimination needs, using equipment safely, and following infection-prevention practices. The technician documents care and behavioral changes, communicates observations and care delivered to the RN, and works with the interdisciplinary team on the plan of care. Additional duties include completing department-specific competencies, supporting a clean and safe work environment, attending relevant meetings and in-services, and performing other duties delegated by the RN or assigned by management.

Requirements

• High school diploma required.
• Ability to communicate appropriately with staff and patients.
• Knowledge of infection prevention, including hand hygiene and standard precautions.
• Knowledge of and respect for patient rights and confidentiality.
• Basic computer operation skills.
• Complete behavioral health education or training within 90 days of hire.
• Successfully complete department-specific core competencies as defined in the Behavioral Health Technician Initial Competency Evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Continuously observe patients, report behavior changes or difficulties to nursing staff, and monitor the patient environment for safety.
• Attempt to redirect patients, notify nursing staff, or activate the stat alarm when a patient on fall precautions attempts to get out of bed or a chair independently; intervene when a patient is at risk of falling.
• Assist with patient activity and comfort, including making beds, turning and positioning patients, and assisting with transfers using chairs, wheelchairs, slideboards, stretchers, cardiac chairs, and lifts.
• Assist patients with hygiene, including washing hands and face, combing hair, and assisting nursing staff with complete baths.
• Assist patients with nutrition, set up meal trays, feed patients who are not at risk for aspiration, offer fluids as ordered, and notify the RN of eating problems.
• Assist patients with elimination needs, provide and empty urinals and bedpans, report or document amounts for nursing staff, and assist eligible patients with bedside commodes.
• Use equipment and supplies safely and appropriately.
• Prevent the spread of infection through hand hygiene, standard precautions, isolation precautions, and proper handling and disposal of linen.
• Document care provided, mental health precautions flow sheets, behavioral changes, and other information as directed by the RN.
• Communicate observations and care delivered to the RN, notify the RN when family is present, use the telephone and Vocera systems, and maintain patient confidentiality.
• Work with the interdisciplinary team to develop and implement the plan of care.
• Complete department-specific core competencies as defined in the Behavioral Health Technician Initial Competency Evaluation.
• Talk with patients, read to them, and reorient them to time, place, and self.
• Perform tasks appropriate to the scope of practice as delegated by the RN.
• Help maintain a clean, safe, and efficient work environment.
• Attend and participate in meetings and in-services related to the job description.
• Maintain knowledge of department processes, protocols, and procedures; pursue self-directed learning and continuing education; and participate in committees, task forces, and work groups as determined by management.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Education Level: High school or GED