Behavioral Health Technician

Lifepoint Health•Lafayette, IN

17d

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Technician supports the therapeutic milieu under the direction of the registered nurse. The role helps ensure scheduled programs are delivered, supervises patients, maintains safety, and treats patients and guests with dignity. The position works in a psychiatric hospital setting and provides care across shifts and populations. The technician monitors patients and the environment, performs delegated care tasks, assists with admissions and discharge-related property documentation, supports activities of daily living, and facilitates or co-facilitates therapeutic and psychoeducational groups. The role also uses crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques, documents care according to policy, communicates changes to the RN and interdisciplinary team, and follows applicable safety and specimen-handling guidelines.

Requirements

CPR certification required within 30 days of hire.
De-escalation certification required within 30 days of hire.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or GED preferred.
Previous experience in a psychiatric health-care facility with chemical dependency, dual diagnosis, psychiatric, or geriatric patients preferred.

Responsibilities

Observe and maintain a safe environment through regular patient checks, safety monitoring, contraband searches, and one-on-one supervision as needed.
Perform delegated tasks such as taking vital signs, collecting specimens, documenting care, assisting with group education, and monitoring patients.
Promote a positive therapeutic milieu and accompany patients to meals, breaks, off-unit visits, and appointments.
Report medical or psychiatric changes to the RN and assist with admissions, including belongings inventory and vital signs.
Document patient property at admission and discharge and conduct unit safety checks each shift to ensure a clean, therapeutic environment.
Encourage or assist patients with activities of daily living.
Facilitate or co-facilitate psychoeducational and therapeutic groups using established guidelines.
Apply crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques as needed and maintain knowledge of program protocols.
Orient new staff members to the unit, document in the medical record according to policy, and provide feedback to the interdisciplinary team.
Comply with OSHA and CDC specimen guidelines and perform other duties as assigned.