BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TECHNICIAN

Independence Health System•Unity Township, PA

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Technician delivers direct and indirect patient care in accordance with hospital policies, procedures, protocols, and standards of care. The role supports patient activities of daily living, obtains vital signs, conducts risk-based observation rounds, collects and reports patient-care information, observes and documents behavior, and may provide one-to-one observation or accompany patients to testing. The technician supports patient and family education, plans activities, facilitates groups, and contributes to patient safety and recovery-focused care. The position supports psychiatric emergency response and crisis resolution in collaboration with nursing, psychiatric, Emergency Department, and other treatment-team staff. Duties include assessing presenting concerns, completing evidence-based suicide-risk screening tools, helping determine risk levels, conducting patient and family interviews, completing psychosocial assessments, facilitating voluntary and involuntary commitments, supporting bed searches and transfers, and assisting with care and discharge planning. The technician documents clinical activities, obtains treatment authorizations as appropriate, and communicates relevant information to clinical staff and outside agencies. The technician helps maintain regulatory compliance, infection control, a safe and clean care environment, unit supplies, and patient belongings records. The role also includes participation in audits, performance improvement, staff education, committees, and onboarding or precepting new technicians. Work is scheduled according to operational needs and may involve rotating shifts, standby or on-call scheduling, and local travel between system locations. During the stated pandemic or effective-period requirements, goggles, a face shield, and a mask are required according to CDC guidelines. When lifting more than 50 pounds, two-person assistance and/or a transfer device is required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Psychology or a related field.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through an American Heart Association-approved curriculum, including CPR and AED.
Act 34 clearance with renewal.
Act 33 clearance with renewal.
Act 73 FBI clearance.
Strong leadership ability, organizational skills, independent and critical-thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.
Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.

Nice To Haves

One year of mental health experience in a similar setting.

Responsibilities

Deliver and assist with direct and indirect patient care according to hospital policies, procedures, protocols, and standards of care.
Assist patients with activities of daily living, take vital signs, conduct risk-based observation rounds, collect and report care data, observe and document behavior, provide one-to-one observation when necessary, and accompany patients to testing as needed.
Use appropriate interview techniques with patients, families, significant others, and phone contacts; document interactions and return patient or family calls.
Support patient education and health maintenance, report readiness to learn to the RN, plan and initiate activities, facilitate groups, and document group or activity observations.
Use critical thinking and sound judgment, follow the chain of command, act as a patient advocate, and serve as a resource person.
Support regulatory compliance, inspection preparation, audits, infection-control practices, and ongoing unit performance-improvement activities.
Complete follow-up calls to patients or families discharged from the Emergency Department and document them.
Provide and document patient and family education; participate in staff education, make staff-development recommendations, serve on committees, and precept new Behavioral Health Technician staff.
Respond to psychiatric emergencies by assessing presenting conditions, completing evidence-based suicide-risk screening tools, collaborating with the clinical team to determine risk levels, and supporting crisis resolution.
Collaborate with Emergency Department and Behavioral Health teams across Independence Health System to address behavioral health issues and obtain treatment authorizations or certifications as appropriate.
Apply working knowledge of the Mental Health Procedures Act and communicate actual or potential problems to professional staff, including during shift reports and transfers.
Consult with psychiatrists and nurses regarding screening information, bed-search requests, and the need for a higher level of care; conduct bed searches and assist with transfers.
Assist with treatment and care plans for patients discharged from the Emergency Department, conduct unit groups when available, and complete Positive Coping Plans for specified patients discharged home from Acute Medical floors after suicide-risk consultations.
Promote patient safety using two identifiers before care, perform unit and patient safety checks, support emergency and code responses, maintain a safe and clean environment, and use restraints only as permitted by policy and standards.
Maintain unit supplies, linens, and equipment; check sterile-supply expiration dates; replenish stock; clean supplies and unit-maintained equipment; and check and log patient belongings for contraband.
Use non-violent crisis intervention principles, report increasing agitation to the RN, assist with least-restrictive restraint or seclusion when needed, and use the panic button or contact security as appropriate.
Provide crisis intervention using departmental procedures and recognized best practices; document services, obtain treatment authorizations or reauthorizations, and complete activity logs as requested.
Interview patients and relevant others to complete psychosocial histories and assessments, document within required time frames, establish recovery-based goals with patients and the service team, and educate patients and families about crisis intervention and resolution.
Facilitate voluntary and involuntary commitments in the Emergency Room and on Acute Medical floors, with County delegate assistance as needed, and attend involuntary commitment hearings.
Communicate effectively with patients, families, peers, treatment teams, and agencies; attend at least 75% of staff meetings and review and sign minutes for meetings not attended.
Use computers for email, scheduling, authorizations, and insurance tracking; coordinate with outside agencies to gather clinical information and act as a liaison.
Perform other duties as assigned.