Behavioral Health Technical Partner

The Technical Partner provides direct and indirect patient care under the direction of the RN or LPN.

Essential Job Functions

* Deliver direct and indirect patient care in accordance with hospital policies, procedures, protocols and standards of care.
* Perform and/or assist with patient care needs as directed and assists patient with activities of daily living.
* Respond to call lights, inquiries and requests from patients and families in a timely manner.
* Collect, document and report ongoing patient care data as directed.
* Interacts with assigned patients, makes pertinent observations of patient's behaviors, reports and documents same, including vital signs and meal consumption.
* Obtains individual patient care equipment as directed.
* Transports patients as directed.
* May perform the following skills: applies heating pads, set up suction equipment, applies antiembolic hose, aseptic techniques, distributes and maintains sufficient supply of linens, performs blood glucose testing, performs ostomy care, simple dressing changes, bladder scanning, and preventative skin care. Apply pulse oximetry performs EKGs, oral pharyngeal suctioning, place patient in CPM machine, prepare and maintain isolation boxes and supplies, declutter patient rooms and storage areas, deliver specimens to lab, crutch measurement and teaching, maintenance of specialty carts, supply inventory and special-order supplies.
* Completes and documents 15-minute safety rounds.


* Assists in the educational process to promote and maintain health, foster self-care, and improve outcomes.
* Obtain resources as needed.
* Reports to the RN/LPN information regarding the patient's readiness to learn.
* Encourages patient attendance at group activities.
* Facilitates and/or assists with groups as requested.
* Documents observations in group/activity sessions.


* Maintains a collaborative relationship with other health care providers to achieve desired outcomes and assure continuous flow of patient care.
* Communicates pertinent information of actual/potential problems to the professional/practical nurse.
* Communicates pertinent information at shift reports and during internal and external transfers.
* Safely escorts patients to appropriate departments/activities.


* Participates in the unit performance improvement activities designed to enhance the quality of patient care and customer services.
* Assists in data collection process as requested.
* Recommends modifications for performance improvement.


* Demonstrates leadership by utilizing the behaviors inherent to the role of the technical partner.
* Demonstrates an ability to solve problems utilizing critical thinking skills and seeks assistance from immediate supervisor when appropriate.
* Maintains accountability for actions taken.
* Effectively functions as a resource person.
* Acts as a patient advocate.
* Performs effectively in the role of preceptor/mentor to new hires and/or students.
* Assists in maintaining/decreasing organizational/departmental costs.


* Assists in the department's compliance with state, Joint Commission, OSHA and other regulatory agencies.
* Assists in continuous survey readiness for inspections and surveys.
* Adheres to the infection control process, including standard precautions, to reduce the risk of acquiring or transmitting infections.
* Assists with maintaining sufficient and proper supplies on an assigned unit.
* Assists with monitoring sterile supplies for expiration date and replaces as needed.


* Provides for patient safety in compliance with hospital, nursing, and department policies.
* Utilizes two forms of patient identification before implementing any form of patient care.
* Assumes appropriate code team role during code situations or mock codes.
* Responds effectively during emergency situations, including internal and external disasters.
* Assists in maintaining a safe and clean environment for patients, visitors and staff.
* Observes patients for increase in agitation and reports to RN for early intervention.
* Assists as needed in handling, restraining and secluding agitated patients using the least restrictive means.
* Assists in establishing control in crisis situations.
* Knows how to use the panic button and how to call security for assistance as needed.


* Demonstrates knowledge of MH/MR commitment process.
* Evidences understanding of Patient Bill of Rights.


* Understands and can communicate the differences of a voluntary and involuntary commitment.
* Other duties as assigned.

Specialty Essential Functions

* Completes vital signs on all patients as directed.
* Initials competency completed.
* Monitors equipment for functioning and hygiene.
* Documents results accurately.
* Reports abnormal vital signs or refusals to the RN.


* Distributes meals and snacks to the patients.
* Accurately delivers trays and cleans up.
* Orders unit based dietary supplies.
* Monitors patients' appetite and safety at mealtime and assists with feeding as required.
* Maintains organization of patients' kitchen and unit-based refrigerator logs.


* Monitors patient safety on and off unit.
* Performs Q 15-minute patient monitoring and arranges for this to be complete when not on unit.
* Observes for unsafe behavior, increase in agitation of patient and reports to RN.
* Works as a team member in the event of a crisis situation.
* Completes contraband check and documents report results.
* Checks all patient belongings to assure safety and completes all required documentation.


* Facilitates patient files and specimen transport.
* Carries charts, supplies, specimens, etc., from behavioral health building to the main hospital.
* Organizes runs to hospital to maximize efficient use of time.


* Assists patients with care and activities of daily living.
* Directs physical and dental care of patients to assure hygiene is good and clothes are clean.
* Monitors elimination as indicated.


* Facilitates EKG testing.
* Accurate and timely completion of EKG as ordered by physician.
* Completes annual competency.



Required Qualifications

* High School Diploma, GED or higher level of education.
* Completion of a Nurse Aide or comparable program (such as EMT, Medical Assistant, nursing student with at least one semester of clinical, or EH Technical Partner Training Program).
* Sound judgment, problem solving skills, strong oral and written communication skills, ability to follow directions from other team members; works independently assigned duties.
* Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.

Preferred Qualifications

* Nurse Aide certification.
* One (1) - two (2) years' experience in a similar setting.
* Patient care experience.
* Computer skills, Phlebotomy, EKG experience.
* Current Nursing Student (with clinical experience).

License, Certification & Clearances

* Current Basic Life Support (BLS) approved curriculum of the American Heart Association (CPR and AED) program required.
* A Technical Partner refresher training class may be required if an employee has not worked in an acute care setting and/or long-term care facility for past three (3) - five (5) years.
* Act 33 with renewal.
* Act 34 with renewal
* Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal.
* Workplace Violence Prevention (transfer into department must obtain within 30 days)

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 Independence Health locations.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Independence Health and its affiliated companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. It is their policy to prohibit discrimination of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other classification protected by law. Independence Health and its affiliated companies will comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

Disclaimer

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Moreover, duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

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

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/hrs/shift; 40/hr/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

X

10#

Lifting Seat Pan to Knuckle

X

50#

50#

Lifting Knuckle to Shoulder

X

10#

20#

Lifting Shoulder to Overhead

X

10#

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