Behavioral Health Specialist

Job Title: Behavioral Health Technician

Join our team at Stewart-Marchman-Act Behavioral Healthcare as a Behavioral Health Technician

About the Role:

We are seeking a highly motivated and compassionate Behavioral Health Technician to join our team. As a Behavioral Health Technician, you will play a vital role in providing support and care to our clients. Your primary responsibilities will include:

Key Responsibilities:

• Monitoring client behavior and activities, reporting any concerns to the appropriate authority.
• Serving as a positive role model, utilizing approved behavior modification techniques, and providing positive reinforcement and support to clients.
• Conducting and participating in basic life skills activities.
• Processing admissions and discharges for voluntary and/or involuntary clients, orienting clients to the facility, and explaining rules, policies, and procedures.
• Completing required program documentation and reports as required.
• Documenting clients' activities, behavior patterns, changes in behavior patterns, and occurrences.
• Ensuring clients adhere to established schedules and routines.
• Obtaining required program information, inventorying client valuables, and collecting urine specimens.
• Conducting security/safety checks, monitoring visitors/clients for contraband, conducting searches, removing dangerous items, and performing and/or assisting with restraints.
• Performing general office and public contact duties, such as answering telephones, using program radios, greeting visitors, communicating with the public, police, DCF, hospitals, etc.
• Participating in meetings as required, conversing with staff on client progress or lack of progress.
• Performing general cleaning responsibilities when needed.
• Attending training/in-services as required.
• Utilizing approved de-escalation techniques when necessary.
• Transporting clients to other agencies, hospitals, homes, community activities, AA meetings, etc.
• Ensuring compliance with CARF, AHCA, DCF, DJJ, and/or DOC standards and security safeguards.
• Performing miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Qualification Requirements:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Education and/or Experience:

Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent. Six months of related human services experience preferred. Preference will be given to those who are certified as Behavioral Health Technicians. Additional education and/or experience may be required as per specific program guidelines.

Knowledge/Skills/and Abilities:

• Some knowledge of the human services field and the application of basic client care skills.
• Ability to utilize behavior management techniques and serve as a role model.
• Ability to handle verbally and/or physically abusive and aggressive clients and utilize aggression control techniques to ensure the safety and well-being of the client, other clients, and employees in the unit.
• Ability to communicate effectively with suicidal, mentally, emotionally, and/or psychologically disturbed clients in person and over the telephone.
• Ability to defuse potentially dangerous situations and remain calm in an emergency.
• Ability to understand and implement The Mandt System in order to assist clients who are in crisis. This may include the physical ability to restrain a client, or assist with the restraint of a client.
• Ability to prepare and maintain written documentation.

Necessary Special Requirements:

Possession of a valid Florida driver's license, acceptable driving record, and proof of personal automobile insurance if required to drive an SMA vehicle and/or use a personal vehicle for SMA business. Complete State of Florida mandatory background screening prior to start of employment. Complete SMA required training during the first six (6) months of employment and updated if required.

Physical:

Mobility and ability to bend and reach during an 8-12 hour day. Able to lift minimum 10 pounds. Visual and auditory acuity sufficient to evaluate, intervene, treat, and record client health care needs. Fine motor skills for legible and accurate charting, daily correspondence, and presentation, either manually or orally. Work endurance ability to work 8-12 hour shifts with a meal break, as possible. Routine 8-12 hour shifts. Hours and days off may vary. Extra hours may be required. Work assignment locations may vary.

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