Behavioral Health Technician

Essential Job Functions

* Delivers direct and indirect patient care in accordance with hospital policies, procedures, protocols, and standards of care.
* Performs and/or assists with patient care needs as directed.
* Assists patients with activities of daily living if needed.
* Conducts vitals on patients.
* Conducts timed observation rounding of patients on the unit, based upon the patient's identified level of risk.
* Collects, documents, and reports ongoing patient care data as directed.
* Interacts with assigned patients, makes pertinent observations of patients' behaviors, reports and records same.
* Remains with and observes assigned patients in a one-to-one situation if necessary.
* Demonstrates good interview techniques with phone contacts/patient/family/significant others and documents accordingly.
* Accompany patients off the unit for testing as needed.


* Assists in developing an educational process for the provision and coordination of patient care activities that promote and maintain health, foster self-care, and improve outcomes.
* Reports to R.N. information regarding the patient's readiness to learn.
* Plans and initiates patients' activities.
* Facilitates groups as requested.
* Documents observations in group/activity sessions.


* Demonstrates leadership by utilizing the behaviors inherent to the role of Behavioral Health Technician.
* Demonstrates an ability to solve problems utilizing critical thinking skills and seeks assistance from immediate supervisor when appropriate.
* Demonstrates knowledge of chain of command; refers patient questions/requests information to appropriate supervisor.
* Effectively functions as a resource person.
* Acts as patient advocate.


* Assists in the department's compliance with state, JCAHO, OSHA, and other regulatory agencies.
* Assists in preparation for inspection and surveys.
* Conducts audits to ensure compliance and quality care as directed
* Adheres to the infection control process, including standard precautions, to reduce the risk of acquiring or transmitting infections.
* Participates in preparation for inspections, surveys and audits.
* Participates in ongoing unit performance improvement activities.
* Completes and documents follow up phone calls to patients and/or their families who have been discharged from the Emergency Department.


* Assists the department's compliance with state JCAHO and other regulatory agencies.
* Participates in preparation for inspections, surveys and audits.
* Participates in ongoing unit performance improvement activities.


* Communicates effectively with patients/peers/families/treatment team.
* Returns patient/family phone calls and documents.
* Uses computer as required for E-mail, scheduling, authorizations, insurance tracking, etc.


* Provides and participates in educational activities.
* Provides and documents patient/family education.
* Participates in staff education, both as participant and presenter.
* Makes recommendations for staff development.
* Serves on hospital committees and participates in other related projects as directed.


* Other duties as assigned.

Specialty Functions

* Leads group activities.
* Plans daily group activities based upon identified patient needs.
* Facilitates expressive, developmental and education groups.


* Completes documentation based on departmental standards and licensing requirements.
* Charts attendance for each group as appropriate.
* Completes accurate written summary of patient's participation and understanding and response to topics presented and discussed.


* Educates patients, family members and other supports as appropriate.
* Facilitates psychoeducational sessions that address the identified needs of the individual patient.
* Develops, updates and maintains a resource library for patients and families.


* Participates in maintaining a safe, therapeutic environment.
* Supervises the safe use of tools and equipment as appropriate.
* De-escalation techniques to manage potentially volatile situations.


* Acts as a resource for patients and families.
* Consults with families to ensure identification and access of community-based services.
* Facilitates referrals to local BSU or community services as appropriate.


* Participates in continuing education to maintain individual licensure as well as required continuing education for program licensure.
* Attends continuing education programs sponsored by Excela Health.
* Completes all mandatory education and competency requirements.


* Understands and utilizes the Principles of Recovery as they apply to partial hospital episodes of care
* Recognizes that recovery is a person-centered/person-driven process.
* Recognizes that self-determination and/or self-direction are the foundation of person-centered care.
* Supports the empowerment of all individuals to make informed decisions regarding their care and exhibits a strength-based approach to treatment.
* Exhibits respectful, culturally sensitive behavior and attitude toward all guests and their families


* Works collaboratively with the Emergency Department and Behavioral Health treatment team to affect an effective crisis resolution.
* Delivers presentation on areas of expertise as requested.
* Participates in departmental and hospital committees as appropriate.

Required Qualifications

* Bachelor's Degree in Psychology or related field.
* Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.
* Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.

Preferred Qualifications

* One (1) year mental health experience in a similar setting.
* Previous group experience.
* Previous experience performing intakes, clinical documentation.
* Previous experience securing authorizations.
* Working understanding of the Mental Health procedures act.

License, Certification & Clearances

* Current Basic Life Support (BLS) approved curriculum of the American Heart Association (CPR and AED) program.
* Act 33 with renewal
* Act 34 with renewal
* Act 73 FBI Clearance

Supervisory Responsibilities

* This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities, but does serve as a coach and mentor for other positions in the department.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

* Incumbent will be scheduled based on operational need (rotate shifts, standby, on-call, etc.).
* Travel may be expected locally between Excela Health locations.

LEAN

* Actively promotes a Lean work culture by performing team member duties to encourage consistent use of LEAN principles and processes, including continually seeking work process improvements. Recognizes the necessity of taking ownership of one's own motivation, morale, performance and professional development. Strives for behavior consistent with being committed to Excela's missions, vision and values.

AAP/EEO

* Excela Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of Excela Health to prohibit discrimination of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, non-job related disability, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other protected class. Excela Health will conform to the spirit as well as the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.
* Ability to perform the Essential Functions listed on the Physical Conditions and ability to perform the Essential Functions on the Working Condition chart below.

Work Environment

Effective March 2020 or during pandemic: goggles, face shield and mask are required according to CDC guidelines

When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.

Essential - Absolute Necessity.

Marginal - Minimal Necessity.

Constantly - 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift.

Frequently - 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift.

Occasionally - 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift.

Rarely - Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.

Physical Condition

Essential

Marginal

Constantly

Frequently

Occasionally

Rarely

Never

Extreme Heat

x

Extreme Cold

x

Heights

x

Confined Spaces

x

Extreme Noise(>85dB)

x

Mechanical Hazards

x

Use of Vibrating Tools

x

Operates Vehicle (company)

x

Operates Heavy Equipment

x

Use of Lifting/Transfer Devices

x

x

Rotates All Shifts

x

x

8 Hours Shifts

x

x

10-12 Hours Shifts

x

x

On-Call

x

Overtime (+8/hr./shift; 40/hrs./wk.)

x

x

Travel Between Sites

x

Direct Patient Care

x

x

Respirator Protective Equipment

x

x

Eye Protection

x

x

Head Protection (hard hat)

x

Hearing Protection

x

Hand Protection

x

x

Feet, Toe Protection

x

Body Protection

x

x

Latex Exposure

x

x

Solvent Exposure

x

Paint (direct use) Exposure

x

Dust (sanding) Exposure

x

Ethylene Oxide Exposure

x

Cytotoxic (Chemo) Exposure

x

Blood/Body Fluid Exposure

x

x

Chemicals (direct use) Exposure

x

x

Mist Exposure

x

Wax Stripper (direct use)

x

Non-Ionizing Radiation Exposure

x

Ionizing Radiation Exposure

x

x

Laser Exposure

x

Physical Demands

When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.

Essential - Absolute Necessity.

Marginal - Minimal Necessity.

Constantly - 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift.

Frequently - 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift.

Occasionally - 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift.

Rarely - Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.

Physical Condition

Essential

Marginal

Constantly

Frequently

Occasionally

Rarely

Never

Bending (Stooping)

x

x

Sitting

x

x

Walking

x

x

Climbing Stairs

x

x

Climbing Ladders

x

Standing

x

x

Kneeling

x

x

Squatting (Crouching)

x

x

Twisting/Turning

x

x

Keyboard/Computer Operation

x

x

Gross Grasp

x

x

Fine Finger Manipulation

x

x

Hand/Arm Coordination

x

x

Pushing/Pulling(lbs. of force)

x

10#

20#

50#

50#

Carry

x

10#

10#

Transfer/Push/Pull Patients

x

x

Seeing Near w/Acuity

x

x

Feeling (Sensation)

x

x

Color Vision

x

x

Hearing Clearly

x

x

Pulling/Pushing Objects Overhead

x

x

Reaching Above Shoulder Level

x

x

Reaching Forward

x

x

Lifting Floor to Knuckle

###

10#

Lifting Seat Pan to Knuckle

###

50#

50#

Lifting Knuckle to Shoulder

###

10#

20#

Lifting Shoulder to Overhead

###

10#

When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.