Behavioral Health Technician (Relief)

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD (“The HARRIS CENTER”) is looking for a Behavioral Health Technician (Relief/PRN) to join our team. The Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) works under the direction of the Lead Behavioral Health Technician and/or the Behavioral Health Technician Supervisor. The BHT is responsible for providing direct care and support to clients in a dual diagnosis residential treatment program. The BHT assists in maintaining a safe, therapeutic environment, ensuring that program rules are adhered to, and clients are actively engaged in treatment activities. This role ensures that the team provides high-quality care and support to clients with mental health, substance use, and behavioral disorders. The BHT is responsible for monitoring client vitals and reporting results to nursing. Other duties include being able to drive/transport and handle/serve food.

What you will do:

Client Supervision and Support:

• Provide direct supervision of clients, ensuring safety, security, and compliance with program rules.
• Assist clients with daily activities, including meals, hygiene, and program participation.
• Observe and document client behaviors, reporting any concerns or unusual behaviors to medical and clinical staff, including clients on precautions (fall, seizure, suicide, etc)
• Conduct room checks, headcounts, and random client searches to ensure a safe environment.
• Collaborate with other healthcare professionals, including therapists, nurses, and physicians, to coordinate comprehensive care.
• Address any client concerns in a professional manner and escalate to appropriate team members as needed.
• Functions as a role model to the clients in the residential facility.

• Treatment Support:

• Facilitate and engage clients in group discussions, and interactive sessions.
• Accompany clients to on and off-site appointments, meetings and activities, as needed.
• Assist in enforcing individualized treatment plans developed by clinical staff.
• Provide direct crisis intervention when necessary, using agency approved de-escalation techniques.
• Ensure compliance with daily program schedule

• Documentation and Reporting:

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of client progress, incidents, and other relevant information in the electronic health records system, agency incident reports system, contractor reporting system and /or client paper record.
• Complete required forms, including daily logs, and incident reports.
• Maintain accurate documentation and reports, ensuring confidentiality and compliance with HIPAA regulations.

• Vital and Behavioral Checks

• Regularly monitor and record/report client vital signs (e.g. blood pressure, heart rate, temperature) as scheduled or requested by medical/nursing staff.
• Report abnormal or concerning vitals signs to medical staff immediately.
• Report abnormal, unusual or changes to behavior to medical/nursing and clinical staff immediately.

• Program Support:

• Assist in maintaining the cleanliness and organization of the residential facility (housekeeping, cleaning,
• laundry, etc.)
• Assists during adverse weather conditions including onsite presence as required.
• Assists in serving of food to clients.
• Assist in transporting clients to off-campus appointments, meetings and activities, as needed via agency designated vehicles.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What qualifications you will need:

Education:

• High School Diploma or General Education Diploma.

Experience:

• Additional education in behavioral health or related field preferred.

Other Key Qualifications:

• Must have a valid driver’s license.

Required, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Excellent observation skills
• Effective communication (verbal and written) skills needed for documentation.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply agency approved crisis intervention techniques (Handle with Care)
• Ability to de-escalate as part of client management
• Ability to handle high-stress situations and make sound decisions in emergencies.
• Understanding of Standard Universal Precautions and Infection Control procedures
• Ability to utilize medical machines (vital sign equipment)
• Ability to utilize basic computer skills
• Positive interpersonal skills.
• Well organized and self-directed.
• Ability to coordinate and collaborate with other disciplines inter and intra agency wide, as well as staff and clients.
• Demonstrate ethical conduct, professionalism and confidentiality in all activities.

What we have to offer:

The Harris Center not only offers a competitive salary but also a suite of excellent benefits designed to enrich your life both professionally and personally. Imagine a future with a robust retirement plan complemented by our generous company matching – a testament to our investment in your long-term financial well-being. Experience the unique advantage of our prior service credit, accelerating your journey towards a more substantial Paid Time Off accrual, empowering you to enjoy well-deserved breaks.

Enjoy Cell Phone Discounts, exclusive entertainment deals through Tickets at Work, and a free Headspace subscription for mental wellness. Additionally, our Employee Assistance Program supports your overall well-being.

Take advantage of significant financial relief through student loan forgiveness as a valued member of The Harris Center team. As a qualifying entity, our employees are eligible for various student loan forgiveness programs, designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with higher education.

What else you should know:

• This posting is associated with position #46722.

About us:

The HARRIS CENTER is the state-designated Local Mental Health Authority and Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Authority serving Harris County, Texas. As the largest behavioral and developmental disability care center in Texas, The Harris Center provided care to over 96,000 people in fiscal year 2023!

As part of its mission to transform the lives of people with behavioral health and IDD needs in the third largest county in the United States, The HARRIS CENTER provides a full continuum of services at 86 different sites across Harris County. In addition, services are provided in more than 40 different languages as well as sign language to better serve what is one of the most multi-cultural communities in the nation.

By utilizing the unique expertise of its more than 2,500 employees, The Harris Center is committed to meeting the behavioral health and IDD needs of Harris County residents and giving them hope to live to their fullest potential.