Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) or BHPP DETOX

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PARAPROFESSIONAL/CAREGIVER

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Behavioral Health Paraprofessional (BHPP) is an entry level position that leads to the position of Behavioral Health Technician (BHT). Under direct supervision, the BHPP/Caregiver provides adult patient supervision in a treatment/educational milieu; assists in the maintenance of a safe, secure environment that enhances treatment and/or educational effectiveness. This position operates in an in-patient/residential environment, or in an outreach environment, such as community agencies. This position assists in progressive programmatic development using an integrative model of care with consideration of both behavioral and physical health issues. Provides screening, assessment, treatment planning, life skills, wellness and prevention activities, pre-vocational training, crisis intervention, individual or group counseling services to residents and clients. Plays a significant role in providing input, treatment, and coordination for physical health, wellness, and prevention as a member of a clinical team on site. Contributes to a recovery based environment.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provides care to patients in a manner that promotes safety, comfort, and the therapeutic environment.
• Assists patients with activities of daily living; attends to patient behavioral problems and aids in crisis intervention, as needed.
• Works with other members of a multi-disciplinary team in leading milieu activities such as current events groups, community meetings, goals groups, fitness groups, activities of daily living groups, and/or recreational activities, as appropriate to the specified patient population.
• Charts patient observations, following prescribed procedures and standards.
• Participates in the development and implementation of patient treatment programs.
• Maintains confidentiality of patient records.
• Transport patients to and from appointments, clinics, laboratories, and/or treatments, as and when appropriate.
• May perform initial patient evaluations to determine treatment priorities; may take vital signs, weights, and urine, stool, and sputum specimens.
• Attends and participates in group sessions, in-service education, and staff meetings.
• Maintains established institutional policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance program, and safety, environmental and infection control standards.
• Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, current literature, in service meetings and workshops.
• May provide liaison with patients, families of patients, or external facilities and agencies.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.
• Assist in planning, implementing, evaluating and Psychoeducational groups
• Monitor activities and groups to process notes in the Electronic Health Records (EHR)
• Provide transportation for patients to court, medical, and other appointments as deemed appropriate by supervisor.
• Learn and maintain proficiency in basic EHR entries to include documentation of group classes and other miscellaneous case management entries both billable and non-billable.
• Conduct hourly accountability/security walks.
• May conduct daily house meetings.
• Learn Urine Analysis procedures and conducts patient UA’s as appropriate.
• Assist with intakes and discharges.
• Maintain up to date with the BHPP/Caregiver skills and competencies.

Statement of Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques.
• Ability to interact with patients, faculty and/or staff in a team environment.
• Ability to maintain quality, safety, and/or infection control standards.
• Learn and maintain skills in observing, assessing, and recording symptoms, reactions, and progress by obtaining vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse, and temperature using manual and electronic devices.
• Ability to provide therapeutic patient care to mentally, emotionally, and/or developmentally disabled individuals.
• Ability to understand and follow safety procedures.
• Ability to assess and provide for the day-to-day needs of mentally, emotionally, and/or developmentally disabled patients.
• Ability to safely lift, and physically manipulate patients.
• Skill in preparing and maintaining patient records.
• Ability to communicate and interact with mental health professionals in a team environment.
• Ability to make administrative and procedural decisions and judgments on sensitive, confidential issues.
• Foster a safe and therapeutic community environment.
• Maintain appropriate boundaries with patients.
• Provide direct patient care, guidance, and positive role modeling.
• Ability to familiarize and maintain the standards in the BHPP/Caregiver skills and competencies checklist.

Conditions of Employment

• CPR/ First Aid Certified
• Must obtain Crisis Prevention and Intervention (CPI) certification with 90 days of employment
• Successful candidate must submit to a TB test, or provide a copy of your latest test results in the last 12 months, and Urine analysis.
• Must possess a level one Fingerprint Clearance Card (application must be submitted within 20 days of employment)
• If in recovery, must have a minimum of six months sobriety prior to application.
• Drivers must have a clean 39-month vehicle record check

Working Conditions

• Moves intermittently during working hours.
• Works in office areas as well as throughout the facility and its premises.
• Is subject to frequent interruptions.
• Is involved with residents, family members, personnel, visitors, government agencies and personnel all under various conditions and circumstances.
• Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, personnel, and visitors.
• May be involved in community and civic health matters and projects.
• Attends and participates in continuing educational programs.
• Is subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, throughout the work day, as well as reactions from dust, disinfectants, tobacco smoke, and other air contaminants.
• Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, and conditions, including TB, HIV, AIDS, and Hepatitis B and C viruses.
• May be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals.
• Communicates with the medical associate, nursing personnel, and other department personnel

Education and Qualifications

• Minimum of 21-years old; a High School Diploma or GED equivalency
• Proficient ability to communicate well in writing and verbally.
• Ability to perform duties with a minimum of supervision.
• Ability to function as a team member.
• Experience working with multi-cultural and low socio-economic individuals.
• General knowledge and aptitude for working with adults regardless of sex, race, age, disability, color, creed, national origin, religion, marital status, affectional orientation, gender identity, or veteran status.
• Must possess a level one Fingerprint Clearance Card (if you do not have a current application must be submitted within 20 days of employment)
• Must be able to perform CPR and First Aid and keep certification current
• Negative TB Test within the past at 12 months
• Certification in CPI training
• Ability to show compassion and empathy with one-on-one contact and over the phone is required
• Ability to multitask, work well under pressure, and turn on a dime, as necessary
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) required.
• Ability to strategize, persuade and negotiate
• Ability to multi-task and successfully prioritize workload
• Ability to read and interpret written information; write clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and grammar
• Ability to speak clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; and participates in meetings.

To promote to BHT the following professional requirements must be met:

-High school diploma/GED and 4 years’ experience in behavioral health or

-Attain an Associate degree and possess two years’ experience in related field or

-Attain a Bachelor degree and possess one year experience in related field.

-Additionally, you will be required to go through Medical Technician training for medication administration.

Acknowledgement for the receipt of the BEHAVIORAL HEATH PARAPROFESSIONAL/CAREGIVER

Job Description

• I have read this job description and fully understand that the requirements set forth therein have been determined to be essential to this position. I hereby accept the position and agree to perform the functions contained in this job description in a safe manner and in accordance with the facility's established procedures. I understand that as a result of my employment, I may be exposed to blood, body fluids, infectious diseases, air contaminants (including tobacco smoke), and hazardous chemicals and that the facility will provide to me instructions on how to prevent and control such exposures. I further understand that I may also be exposed to the Hepatitis B Virus and that the facility will make available to me, free of charge, the hepatitis B vaccination. I also understand I may not release/disclose protected health or facility information without proper authorization.
• I understand that my employment is at-will, and thereby understand that my employment may be terminated at-will either by the facility or myself, and that such termination can be made with or without notice.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Medical Specialty:

• Addiction Medicine

Schedule:

• 12 hour shift
• Day shift
• Holidays
• Monday to Friday
• Night shift
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person