Behavioral Health Technician-Float Pool-24hr

Connecticut Children's Medical Center•Hartford, CT

About The Position

The Central Staffing Office (CSO) Behavioral Health Technician promotes the safety, health, and comfort of patients, families, and staff across Med/Surg, PICU, and NICU in connection with care for behavioral health and psychiatry patients. The position also supports Zone C (Emergency Department) and the Integrated Care Unit as needed. The technician assists Registered Nurses and the broader care team with patient intake, safety observation, activities of daily living, documentation, delegated vital signs and weights, specimen collection and testing, EKGs, procedural holds, and restraint application or removal when directed. The role helps maintain a safe, therapeutic environment, supports hospital visitation policies, monitors for escalation, and assists with operational and environmental safety checks. The position also contributes to quality and safety initiatives and provides culturally sensitive, age-appropriate care from neonates through adolescents.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
At least one year of experience with pediatric psychiatric or behavioral health patients in a school, hospital, or home environment.
BLS CPR for Healthcare Provider certification required upon hire and maintained current at all times.
Marcus Crisis Prevention Program training certification required within one month of hire and maintained thereafter.

Responsibilities

Assist the Registered Nurse in collecting patient data during intake or admission for behavioral health and psychiatric patients.
Inventory patients’ personal items and appropriately wand patients and belongings upon arrival.
Participate in supervised clothing changes, secure personal items according to department standards, and return them at the end of the visit.
Communicate observations about the environment and signs that a patient may be escalating or at increased risk of agitation, aggression, or harm to self.
Help maintain a safe, therapeutic environment and appropriate boundaries for patients, families, and staff.
Support visitation guidelines and policies established by the department and hospital.
Serve as an intermittent or roving patient care partner when assigned by the primary RN and shift charge RN.
Assist patients with activities of daily living, including bathing, dietary needs, and escorting patients off the unit.
Complete appropriate patient documentation.
Obtain vital signs and weights as delegated by a Registered Nurse.
Support the main Emergency Department triage function when there are no patients in Zone C, as assigned by the charge nurse.
Help apply and remove physical restraints when directed by the attending medical provider or primary nurse.
Contribute as a care-team member to safe observation levels and to the development and implementation of individualized care plans; do not independently develop or act on plans not vetted by the licensed team.
Hold patients accountable for limits and boundaries established by the care team.
Use de-escalation techniques effectively.
Assist with procedural holds as directed by a physician, provider, or RN.
Obtain and test specimens, including blood glucose, urine, and pharyngeal swabs, and perform one- and two-step point-of-care tests.
Perform EKGs.
Round continuously to observe for and intervene early in escalating situations.
Keep hallways minimally cluttered and free of obstructions and maintain the environment of care.
Complete daily safety checks and restocking of equipment, restraints, and supplies.
Participate in post-restraint huddles.
Establish effective relationships with patients, families, staff, and external customers or consultants.
Be accountable for departmental and hospital quality and safety initiatives and goals.
Apply knowledge of age-related differences and patient needs from neonates through adolescents.
Demonstrate cultural sensitivity in patient and family interactions and value cultural diversity and individual differences in the workforce.
Support the organization’s mission, values, and goals through behaviors consistent with Connecticut Children’s standards.
Perform other related responsibilities as assigned.