Behavioral Health Tech

Thanks for your interest in Children's Mercy!

Do you envision finding a meaningful role with an inclusive and compassionate team? At Children’s Mercy, we believe in making a difference in the lives of all children and shining a light of hope to the patients and families we serve. Our employees make the difference, which is why we have been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top pediatric hospital, for eleven consecutive years.

Children’s Mercy is in the heart of Kansas City – a metro abounding in cultural experiences, vibrant communities and thriving businesses. This is where our patients and families live, work and play. This is a community that has embraced our hospital and we strive to say thanks by giving back. As a leader in children’s health, we engage in meaningful programs and partnerships throughout the region so that we can improve the lives of children beyond the walls of our hospital.

Overview

The Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) is responsible for providing direct patient care under the supervision of the charge nurse with clinical guidance from a clinically licensed behavioral health professional (BCBA, Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Therapist). As a BHT in our hospital program, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and well-being of patients with mental and behavioral health needs. You will work in various settings, including our inpatient medical units, emergency room and acute mental health crisis center. 

Below you can see a brief outline of each exciting new area as well as links for additional information!

• 5 West: An inpatient medical-behavioral unit where mental and behavioral health patients already admitted to CM can receive the medical care they need with additional resources for their non-medical (behavioral and mental health) needs. BHTs working in 5 West might work directly (1:1) with mental and behavioral health patients to ensure safety, facilitate medical care, and promote positive patient interactions. 

• Acute Mental Health Crisis Center (AMHCC):  A division of the Adele Hall Emergency Department where patients experiencing mental or behavioral complaints will be assessed and have a safety plan developed. Patients in the AMHCC should not have medical needs. BHTs working in the AMHCC will work directly with mental and behavioral health patients to ensure safety and promote positive patient interactions.  

• Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): An outpatient partial-hospitalization program where mental and behavioral health patients receive intensive services to decrease their suicidal ideations, homicidal ideations, physical aggression, self-injury, etc. and learn more appropriate skills like communication, self-management, and independence.  BHTs working in the PHP might run groups with mental health patients or work directly (i.e., 1:1 or several staff to one patient) with behavioral health patients to reach their therapeutic goals.

Learn more about Children's Mercy Illuminate – a bold initiative to tackle the mental health crisis in youth, made possible from $79M in donations. This five-year plan will pave a path for the youth mental health crisis by increasing access to evidence-based treatment with specific focus on equity for our most vulnerable population.

Video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwJmy5EtVRc

At Children’s Mercy, we are committed to ensuring that everyone feels welcomed within our walls. A successful candidate for this position will join us as we strive to create a workplace that reflects the community we serve, as well as our core values of kindness, curiosity, inclusion, team and integrity.

Additionally, it’s important to us that we remain transparent with all potential job candidates. Because we value the safety of the patients and families we serve, as well as the Children’s Mercy staff, we want to let you know that the seasonal influenza vaccine is a condition of employment for all employees in our organization. New employees must be willing to be vaccinated if found non-immune to measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) and chicken pox (varicella) and/or without evidence of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination since 2005. If you are selected for this position, you will be asked to supply your immunization records as proof of vaccination. If you and have any concerns about receiving these vaccines, medical and/or religious exemptions can be further discussed with Human Resources.

Responsibilities

• Provides direct care and observation with guidance from clinically licensed behavioral health providers and nursing staff, promoting family centered care in a healing environment.
• Demonstrates skill and judgment necessary to provide safe and effective care to patients, including those with complex behavior and/or mental health needs, under the supervision of the nursing team.
• Provides crisis intervention and initiates emergency response plan, when necessary
• Assists in the maintenance of a safe environment and promotes efficiency of operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree Psychology, Social Work, Behavior Analysis, or related field
  • And no Experience necessary / on-the-Job Training OR
• HS diploma or equivalent
  • And 3-5 years experience
    • A minimum of three (3) years serving individuals with developmental disabilities, psychiatric disorders or behavioral needs
    • or three (3) years working in an inpatient psychiatric unit, preferably with adolescents and children
• Other Hospital approved behavior management program required within 90 days

Benefits at Children's Mercy

The benefits plans at Children’s Mercy are one of many reasons we are recognized as one of the best places to work in Kansas City. Our plans are designed to meet the changing needs of our employees and their families.

Starting Pay

Our pay ranges are market competitive. The pay range for this job begins at $19.68/hr, but your offer will be determined based on your education and experience.

We also offer the following shift differentials:

• Weekday nights: 15% 
• Weekend nights: 25% (10% weekend 15% night)
• Weekend days: 10%

Remote Work/Work from Home

This position is not eligible to work remotely, which means that the person hired will be required to work onsite at one of our Children’s Mercy locations and may not work from home.

EEO Employer/Disabled/Vet

Children’s Mercy hires individuals based on their job skills, expertise and ability to maintain professional relationships with fellow employees, patients, parents and visitors. A personal interview, formal education and training, previous work experience, references and a criminal background investigation all are factors used to select the best candidates. The hospital does not discriminate against prospective or current employees based on the race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, creed, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry or veteran status. A drug screen will be performed upon hire. Children’s Mercy is smoke and tobacco free.

Our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

CM is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce. Our patients and families come from all walks of life, and so do we. We know that our greatest strengths come from the people who make up our team so we hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it makes our hospital stronger and our patient care more compassionate.

If you share our values and our enthusiasm for service, you will find a home at CM. In recruiting for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring, including education, ideas, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, age, languages spoken, veteran status, color, religion, disability and beliefs.

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