Behavioral Health Technician (53364)

Westcare•Pembroke Pines, FL

27d

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Technician supervises behavioral health technician functions in a residential treatment environment and provides direct support and supervision to consumers. The role coordinates work crews, facility activities, and trips away from the facility; supports medical and clinical staff; helps maintain facility safety and security; and responds to consumer requests and incidents. The technician orients new consumers, reinforces program rules and schedules, facilitates groups, supports consumer interventions, and documents incidents, grievances, communications, and other required information. The position also involves transporting consumers, conducting searches and urinalysis as needed, and training and supervising consumers in assigned work functions. The role requires adherence to WestCare’s mission and policies, confidentiality requirements, professional ethics, consumer rights, and safety procedures. Work is primarily performed in a residential treatment setting, with some outdoor activities. The employee must be able to work with consumers and staff in potentially stressful and emotionally charged situations and perform essential duties with or without accommodation.

Requirements

Behavioral Health Technician certification, or active pursuit of certification in good standing through the Florida Certification Board; certification is required within six months of hire.
High school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED).
At least one year of experience providing services in substance abuse treatment.
Valid driver’s license and ability to obtain and maintain WestCare vehicle insurance.
CPR certification, First Aid certification, and an annual tuberculosis test.
Ability to provide an Affidavit of Good Moral Character and clear pre-employment drug testing and criminal records checks, as required.
Excellent communication skills and the ability to exercise good judgment and discretion.
Ability to work effectively in a team, maintain confidentiality, and adhere to ethical and professional standards.
Ability to discuss addiction and 12 Step Recovery, support and constructively confront consumers, explain program goals and rules, and educate consumers about recovery programs and appropriate social and work behaviors.
Ability to understand and apply crisis de-escalation processes and approved physical and mental or verbal de-escalation techniques.
Ability to document consumer data, including urine specimens, incident reports, grievances, and communication logs.
Ability to manage and monitor the consumer work program, as evidenced through training.
Ability to read complex two- and three-syllable words, recognize word and number patterns, respond effectively to sensitive inquiries or complaints, and communicate effectively in writing and with employees and visitors at all levels.
Ability to apply basic mathematical concepts, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to use Microsoft Office software, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Sufficient means of independent mobility.
Understanding of federal, state, local, and agency confidentiality rules; professional ethics; consumer rights; and professional responsibilities.
Knowledge of WestCare’s mission, goals, values, incident reporting, HIPAA, and confidentiality; familiarity with WestCare services and programs.
Understanding of cultural identity, ethnicity, age, developmental level, gender, and sexual orientation as they relate to prevention, intervention, and treatment; ability to work effectively with culturally diverse staff and consumers and respect individual cultural and ethnic values.
Ability to articulate a working definition of trauma, understand its impact, and recognize re-traumatization.
Dependability, good attendance, punctuality, flexibility, productive work habits, integrity, and ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships, accept direction, cooperate with others, maintain a positive attitude, and communicate courteously and tactfully.
Ability to maintain a safe, clean, and orderly work area and follow agency safety procedures.
Ability to perform essential physical and mental duties with or without accommodation, including standing, walking on even and uneven surfaces, sitting for extended periods, bending, twisting, reaching, balancing, and occasional lifting and carrying of up to 50 pounds.
Ability to use computer and telephone systems, including typing, writing, and handling files; adequate hearing and vision to communicate, complete paperwork, and observe consumer behavior.
Ability to work under stress and in emotionally charged settings.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree.
Currently holding Behavioral Health Technician certification.
Bilingual ability.

Responsibilities

Supervise behavioral health technician job functions and coordinate work crews, facility activities, and trips off the facility.
Assist medical staff with observed self-medication procedures, obtaining prescriptions, medical sick calls, and trips to hospitals and appointments.
Facilitate orientation groups, house meetings, step groups, and other groups.
Assist therapists with consumer interventions and redirect inappropriate behavior; provide input in clinical team meetings.
Communicate with clinical staff through communication logs and notify Program Directors or Coordinators about consumers leaving treatment, injuries, violence, drug use, and major rule infractions.
Distribute paperwork to Program Directors, Coordinators, and clinical staff.
Coordinate consumer requests when therapists or Program Directors or Coordinators are unavailable.
Maintain facility safety and security, and ensure consumers follow group and activity schedules.
Assign, train, and supervise consumers in job functions and community chores; assign consumer strength and dorm assignments.
Coordinate off-facility trips, record therapist-approved trip slips in the log, and transport consumers as necessary.
Pick up new consumers from Intake at the Clinical Building, orient them to policies and procedures, and address immediate needs and requests.
Search consumers at admission and as needed for drugs, illegal items, and contraband; periodically search dorms and common areas.
Provide consumers with preventative lice cleansing agents.
Collect urine specimens and conduct urinalysis as needed.
Facilitate consumer grievance and incident reporting and complete online incident reports as required by WestCare policy and procedure.
Model appropriate communication and interactions with consumers and peers.
Complete orientation and mandated training, including E-Learning Courses, within required timeframes.
Embrace and embody WestCare Foundation’s mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision, and goals.
Perform other duties as assigned.