Behavioral Health Technician- ED Safety Attendants, Full Time Variable

Cape Fear Valley Health

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Technician performs routine patient care duties in the Emergency Department Safety Attendants department under the direction of a nurse. Duties include observing patients, monitoring and recording changes in their condition, obtaining vital signs, assisting with activities of daily living, providing emotional support, and facilitating groups. The technician assists with contraband searches and inventorying patients’ personal belongings, uses crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques as needed, and helps maintain a safe, clean, therapeutic environment. The role also serves as a resource for medical staff, nursing staff, security, and other Behavioral Health Technicians. The technician supports patient safety, rights, dignity, comfort, and a positive therapeutic environment. Responsibilities include assisting with admissions, transfers, and discharges; obtaining and monitoring vital signs and patient weight; helping with personal hygiene and toileting; participating in therapeutic holds, restraints, and seclusion procedures after NCI training; observing patients through rounds and video, visual, or touch observation; documenting as directed; facilitating therapeutic community meetings; and participating in education, performance improvement, and cost-containment initiatives. Other duties may be assigned.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required.
BLS from the American Heart Association required.
Nonviolent Crisis Intervention training and certification required within 30 days of employment; unrestricted NCI Certification must be held upon completion of training.
Proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking English.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Excellent customer service skills.
Competency working with children, adolescents, and adults with mental illness.
Basic knowledge of age-specific considerations for the population served.
General computer competency.
Ability to work variable shifts.
Ability to bend, stand for prolonged periods, and walk.
Ability to turn and lift patients.
Visual and auditory acuity for observation and manual dexterity for computer use and documentation.
May have skin, eye, mucous membrane, or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious material.

Nice To Haves

Associate or bachelor’s degree in Psychology or Social Work preferred.
Nursing Assistant certification accepted.
Two years of psychiatric experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide patient care that promotes safety, protects patient rights, preserves dignity, provides comfort, and supports a positive therapeutic environment.
Assist with new admissions, including contraband searches, orienting patients to their room and surroundings, obtaining vital signs, and securing belongings.
Assist with patient transfers and discharges, including obtaining vital signs and gathering belongings.
Obtain and monitor vital signs, obtain patient weight, and report abnormalities to the nurse.
Assist patients with activities of daily living, including personal hygiene and toileting as necessary.
Assist with therapeutic holds, restraints, and seclusion procedures after completing NCI training.
Assess patients through play and group activities and report abnormal findings to the nurse.
Assist with Q-15-minute rounding and video, visual constant, and touch constant observation, including monitoring and documentation as directed by the nurse.
Assist with documenting intake and output and graphing vital signs as directed.
Facilitate Therapeutic Community Meeting and Wrap-up as assigned.
Participate in educational and performance improvement initiatives.
Actively participate in cost containment.
Perform other duties as assigned.