Behavioral Health Associate

NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue is America's oldest public hospital, established in 1736. Affiliated with the NYU School of Medicine, the 844-bed hospital is a major referral center for highly complex cases, with its 6,000 employees including highly skilled, interdisciplinary clinical staff. It sees more than 110,000 emergency room visits and 500,000 outpatient visits annually. Bellevue is an academic medical institution of international renown. We have served as an incubator for major innovations in public health, medical science, and medical education. Bellevue is a Level I Trauma Center delivering around-the-clock care in adult, pediatric, psychiatric and pediatric psychiatric emergencies as well as in the nationally-designated categories of cardiology, neurology, toxicology, and neonatology. In addition to providing comprehensive inpatient and outpatient state-of-the-art care Bellevue is a city-wide medical specialty referral source. Bellevue's clinical centers of excellence include: Emergency Medicine and Trauma Care; Cardiovascular Services; Designated Regional Perinatal Center and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (ICU); Comprehensive Children's Psychiatric Emergency Program; and Cancer Services.

At NYC Health + Hospitals, our mission is to deliver high quality care health services, without exception. Every employee takes a person-centered approach that exemplifies the ICARE values (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence) through empathic communication and partnerships between all persons.

Duties & Responsibilities

Purpose of Position:

Under the direction of a Registered Professional Nurse and in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, the Behavioral Health Associate performs crisis and/or de-escalation interventions, therapeutic observations, engagements, patient supervision and other behavioral health related duties, including assisting in the implementation of seclusion/restraints for patient's presenting to the emergency department. Acts in compliance with corporate, hospital and all relevant regulatory policies.

Responsibilities:
1. Utilizes crisis and/or de-escalation intervention practices, when necessary and appropriate, with patient whose behavior cannot be otherwise supported without such interventions
2. Assists in the application and removal of restraints and the implementation of restraints/seclusion when deemed necessary by appropriate personnel, ensuring the physical and emotional health and safety of the patient when using such methods
3. Identifies patient characteristics and environmental variables that may trigger agitated behaviors) and communicates such information to the treatment team
4. Performs observation and monitoring of assigned patients on a one to one basis.
5. Monitors patient on suicidal precaution and notifies the nurse of observations and patient's behavior
6. Escorts patient to required location (s), within and outside of the health care setting.
7. Ensures the safety of patients and staff through electronic scanning and safety checks prior to entry to clinical areas.
8. Responds appropriately to patient emergencies, including those requiring the Behavioral Response Team, and other emergencies, as necessary
9. Inspects and categorizes patients' belongings at time of admission and ensures that property is safely maintained and returned at the time of transfer or discharge; notifies appropriate personnel of illegal items for proper handling.
10. May lead or co-lead discussion groups in areas such as anger management techniques and practices; appropriately documents group activity.
11. Assists in the facilitation of therapeutic groups and related activities
12. Assists with patient grooming needs, including shaving when deemed appropriate by clinical staff and the patient is not able to shave themselves
13. Performs patient's checks/rounds as required, and reports observations, interactions and patient activity to assigned nursing staff
14. Maintains flexibility in responding to crisis situations throughout the ED
15. Communicates clinical matters to assigned RN or other professional staff as required;
16. reports any unusual findings to the nurse that may affect the therapeutic milieu
17. Performs observation and monitoring of assigned patients on a one to one basis
18. Performs patient checks/rounds and video surveillance, as required, and reports observations, interactions and patient activity to assigned nursing staff.
19. Escorts patient to required location(s), in and out of the Emergency Department via wheelchair or stretcher
20. Monitors and controls patient, family, visitors and staff traffic flow through the department
21. Assures the safety of patients and staff through property/clothing checks
22. Assists with maintenance of environmental conditions conducive to comfort and safety of patients
23. Maintains cleanliness of the unit
24. Ensures a safe and secure environment free of hazards to reduce risk of injury to patients, visitors, and staff
25. Maintains inventory of the unit's equipment and supplies
26. Works effectively as a team member in the delivery of care
27. Assists with preparing the patient for examination and/or special procedures
28. Prepares patients for meal and assists with feeding as needed.
29. Performs related work/direct patient care as delegated by RN including obtaining and documenting vital signs - blood pressure, pulse, respirations and temperature
30. Assists with general hygiene including bathing, showering and toileting
31. Participates in departmental and/or hospital-wide Crisis Management training
32. Demonstrates cultural sensitivity to diversity in work force
33. Participates in Performance Improvement (PI) activities
34. Participates in shift report and rounds
35. Participate in staff, departmental and team/committee meetings
36. Demonstrates a professional appearance and demeanor at all times

Minimum Qualifications
1. An Associate's degree in criminal justice, social services or a health-related area; or
2. A High School diploma or a G.E.D. and one (1) year of full-time experience in law enforcement, nursing or psychiatric/behavioral health in a high volume, intensive care environment.
3. *Successful completion of an appropriate training program in the application and use of restraints and seclusion must be completed prior to an individual performing such work.
4. Successful completion of an appropriate training in the performance of vital signs and grooming within ninety (90) calendar days of appointment to the title.
*Special Note:
As required by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Hospital Conditions of Participation - Patients' Rights (42 CFR Part 482), before applying restraints, implementing seclusion, performing associated monitoring of the restrained or secluded individual, or providing care for such individual, staff must be trained and able to demonstrate competency in the performance of these actions.

NYC Health and Hospitals offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• Comprehensive Health Benefits for employees hired to work 20+ hrs. per week
• Retirement Savings and Pension Plans
• Loan Forgiveness Programs for eligible employees
• Paid Holidays and Vacation in accordance with employees' Collectively bargained contracts
• College tuition discounts and professional development opportunities
• Multiple employee discounts programs