Behavioral Health Technician

Strategic Resources Inc•Pearsall, TX

20d•$0 - $30

About The Position

Strategic Resources, Inc. (SRI) is hiring a Behavioral Health Technician to support the ICE Health Services Corps (IHSC), which provides healthcare services to people in ICE custody. Under the clinical direction of a licensed Behavioral Health Provider, the technician supports mental health screening, patient care management, psycho-educational programming, patient education, safety monitoring, and coordination of follow-up care. The position works as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team and uses electronic health records to document care and observations. This is a full-time role with hours determined by facility mission needs. The position requires availability for day, evening, weekend, and holiday work, and the ability to respond during emergency activations. On-call availability is not required. A favorable fitness determination and the ability to obtain and maintain an assigned security clearance are required.

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) Level Three certification 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.
Knowledge of therapeutic communication and psychiatric recovery and rehabilitation skills.
Ability to conduct clinical mental health screenings and facilitate skill-building exercises, patient safety and wellness processing groups, and instructional recreational activities.
Ability to communicate with cultural awareness and respond to the needs of diverse populations.
Ability to use electronic health records, web-based training, and communications.
Proficient verbal and written English communication skills.
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, information, and personally identifiable information.
Moderate proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and SharePoint.
Strong oral and written communication, active listening, interpersonal, organizational, time-management, problem-solving, judgment, and decision-making skills; integrity, honesty, and cultural awareness.
Availability to work days, evenings, weekends, and holidays, and to respond during emergency activation.
Must receive an initial preliminary favorable fitness determination and a complete favorable fitness determination from the Department of Homeland Security Personnel Security Unit.
Must be able to obtain and maintain an assigned security clearance.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the work, including responding to a facility medical emergency on foot within four minutes, performing CPR or emergency care while standing or kneeling, and assisting sick, injured, or aging detainees or staff to exit a building during an emergency.

Nice To Haves

Spanish-speaking ability is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Assist a licensed Behavioral Health Provider with direct services, health data collection, behavioral observations, wellness checks, sleep hygiene encounters, activities-of-daily-living prompts, education, patient support, and safety and risk monitoring.
Escort behavioral health detainees to appointments as required and observe patients during programming and recreational activities.
Facilitate basic therapeutic and psycho-educational groups and provide 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 support providers with diagnosis, treatment planning, and medication management.
Document clinical observations, including mood, affect, mental sharpness, sleeping patterns, eating habits, overall functioning, and observed changes.
Perform medical housing unit and special-needs monitoring and wellness checks.
Respond to crises in emergent situations using sound judgment and team collaboration in accordance with facility procedures and IHSC policy.
Manage program schedules, including groups, telehealth appointments, and individual check-ins.
Chaperone tele-behavioral health or other clinical appointments and obtain and record vital signs when available.
Schedule appointments, complete electronic health record documentation, and coordinate follow-up care under the direction of the Behavioral Health Provider.
Maintain knowledge of behavioral health interventions, psychotropic medications, side effects, and potential effects on patient functioning.
Continue professional development through in-service education, workshops, conferences, and self-study.
Adhere to IHSC, PBNDS, ACA, and NCCHC standards and maintain proficiency in using the IHSC electronic medical record.