Nursing Assistant (Non-Certified) / Behavioral Health Assistant (Harris Hospital)

State of South Carolina•Anderson County, SC

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Assistant (BHA) works under the direct supervision of licensed nursing personnel at Patrick B. Harris Psychiatric Hospital in Anderson, South Carolina. The position performs routine and specialized patient care duties for psychiatric patients on assigned units, applying age-specific criteria and therapeutic interventions for patients with diverse backgrounds, disabilities, and co-occurring disorders. The role includes observing and reporting patients’ physical and behavioral conditions, documenting clinical information, assisting with personal care, and supporting therapeutic activities and individual treatment plans. BHAs may precept new assistants, help orient them to unit care-management practices, and maintain competency through required training and in-services. This position requires physical activity, prolonged circulation in patient areas, and the ability to work with repetitive patient behaviors. Employees may be exposed to blood or body fluids. Full-time employees are offered a benefits package including insurance, leave, paid holidays, parental leave, deferred compensation, and retirement plan options.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
Ability to see and hear at normal volumes, stand, walk, reach, pull, stoop, bend, and climb at least two flights of stairs.
Ability to tolerate noise and circulate in patient areas for long periods.
Ability to work with repetitive patient behaviors.
Must successfully complete the Basic Fundamentals course after hire with a minimum grade of 75.
Must be able to pass CPR and perform MANDT and emergency care during emergencies.
Must have knowledge of nursing procedures, personal hygiene, basic health and safety practices, and basic human anatomy.

Nice To Haves

Health care or related experience.
Knowledge of nursing procedures, personal hygiene, basic health and safety practices, and basic human anatomy.
Bilingual ability in English and Spanish or another language.

Responsibilities

Observe, monitor, and report patients’ physical and behavioral conditions, considering age-specific interventions and patients’ diverse backgrounds, disabilities, and co-occurring disorders.
Document pertinent information in the clinical record.
Relay patients’ therapeutic activities to the treatment team.
Assist patients with personal needs, including bathing, dressing, ambulating, and oral hygiene.
Provide care to patients with disabilities and co-occurring disorders.
Use appropriate body mechanics when stooping, bending, and lifting.
Engage with patients in conversation and activities to encourage community participation.
Plan and implement patient care activities and groups based on individual treatment plans.
Utilize age-specific interventions.
Take and record vital signs, including temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and oxygen saturation.
Collect specimens.
Precept new Behavioral Health Assistants assigned to a designated lodge.
Model outstanding patient care practices and adherence to policies and procedures when selected.
Provide orientation and care-management instructions to new BHAs assigned to the unit.
Maintain clinical competency by completing required mandatory and non-mandatory in-services and training, including MANDT/MAPS, CPR, SCEIS courses, cross-training, and age-specific criteria.

Benefits

Health insurance for employees, spouse, and children.
Dental insurance for employees, spouse, and children.
Vision insurance for employees, spouse, and children.
Long-term disability insurance.
Life insurance for employees, spouse, and children.
15 days of annual (vacation) leave per year.
15 days of sick leave per year.
13 paid holidays.
Paid parental leave.
S.C. Deferred Compensation Program.
State Retirement Plan (SCRS) or State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP); enrollment in one listed plan is required for FTE employees.