Behavioral Health Technician

Job Summary

The Behavioral Health Technician position is responsible for providing direct and supportive care to clients/patients. Duties include providing general oversight of day-to-day activities, health monitoring, intervening/responding to crisis situations, communicating with the treatment team, facilitating group education/structured activities, and transporting clients/patients as needed.

Essential Job Functions

• Admit, supervise, monitor, transfer, and discharge clients/patients.
• Ensure monitoring of vital signs, signs and symptoms of withdrawal, and possess knowledge to determine need for escalation to medical intervention when critical symptoms present.
• Obtain and record vital signs and relevant medical symptoms per policy and/or as indicated by medical personnel when applicable.
• Oversee medication administration per policy and procedure and as permitted by appropriate training certifications/permissions.
• Adhere to all medication policies and work with trained nursing staff to ensure all medication policies are followed whether self-administered by client/patient or staff-administered when appropriate training permits.
• Maintains accurate records of client medications and documents the self-administration of medications by clients or staff administration of medications.
• Monitors client self-administration of over the counter (OTC) medications, as well as the inventory and storage of OTC medications.
• Properly documents client's reported blood glucose level as indicated and maintains agency-approved equipment per manufacturer's guidelines.
• Reports medication errors and/or medication discrepancies per agency policy and procedures.
• Follows Medication Storage and Destruction Policy & Procedure.
• Screen and monitor clients/patients for signs and symptoms of withdrawal to ensure that safety and recovery needs are being met (when applicable).
• Facilitate client/patient supervision checks per policy and/or procedure or when indicated by a safety/precautions plan.

Additional Responsibilities

• Encourage clients/patients to adhere to program expectations and rules in a trauma-informed manner and communicate concerning behaviors to the treatment team and supervisor as soon as possible.
• Participate as an active member of the treatment team by helping to identify client's strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences.
• Document and/or report at shift change and/or in client/patient record any exceptional behavior and/or areas of concerns related to client's behaviors/interactions.
• Assist in admission/orientation process with regard to client rights and rules under the supervision of the assigned supervisor.
• Facilitate urine collection, testing, lab send-offs, and document in the client record following policy and procedures.
• Operate telephone system, record incoming messages accurately, place telephone calls as necessary or directed practicing good customer service skills and respond to crisis calls as necessary communicating with supervisor and/or treatment team in a timely manner.
• Assist, educate, and redirect clients/patients in performing daily activities as needed.
• Monitor client activities and document client activities occurring on shifts that are relevant to client's/patient's progress or behavior, including bed check documentation during overnight shifts.
• Ensure all clients/patients are accounted and present in scheduled activities.
• Foster adaptive behavior in clients by encouraging positive social interaction and role-modeling a solution-focused approach to issues of concern.
• Ensure precaution protocols are adhered to and appropriate documentation occurs.
• Assist in monitoring general health conditions of clients/patients facilitating communications with the supervisor or treatment team in a timely manner.
• Prepare for and facilitate group rehabilitative support, education, recovery skills, or recreation groups as scheduled and assigned.
• Provide client/patient transportation as needed to and from appointments.
• Maintain a standard of behavior that is, at all times, consistent with Organization Code of Conduct and program philosophy.
• Complete all mandatory trainings within the required time frame within State Regulatory/CARF Standards.
• Attend staff meetings, treatment team meetings, training sessions, etc. as requested by supervisors.
• Maintains a safe and clean environment by observing general rules of good housekeeping.
• Reports maintenance problems, broken or malfunctioning equipment, other mechanical safety concerns following established reporting procedures.
• Be knowledgeable and adhere to all program policies and procedures.
• Demonstrate interest in long-term and short-term goals and objectives of the organization.
• Other duties as assigned by Leadership.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of confidentiality laws governing the treatment of substance use and mental health disorder treatment.
• Capable of communicating ideas clearly and effectively both verbally and written to produce clear and concise reports.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively with clients, Employees of organization, family members, and other community contacts.
• Ability to apply common-sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Basic key-boarding skills and navigate/enter notes within electronic medical record.
• Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables within standardized situations.
• Ability to establish rapport with client/patient population while maintaining appropriate boundaries.

Experience and Education Qualifications

• High School education OR equivalent and two (2) years responsible employment.
• Experience in Human Services or related field preferred.

Supervisory Requirements

• None

Employment Requirements

• Successful completion of background check including criminal record, driving record, and abuse/neglect.
• Completion of New Hire Orientation within 30 Days of Employment.
• All training requirements including Relias within two (2) weeks of employment and annually thereafter.
• First Aid certification within three (3) months of beginning employment and upon renewal date.
• Obtain CPR certification within three (3) months of beginning employment and upon renewal date.
• Medication Administration according to the program standards.
• Behavioral Management training completed within thirty (30) days of employment or first available class after start date.
• Achievement of thirty-six (36) hour training requirements within 2 year period in accordance with 9 CSR 10-7.110 E 1. Must complete 40 hours of related training annually.
• Extensive knowledge of the policies, procedures, and regulations of the program to which the Employee is assigned.
• Valid Driver's license in state of residency with an acceptable driving record is.
• Must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age to operate a company-owned vehicle.
• Must be at least twenty-three (23) years of age to operate a company-owned fifteen (15) passenger van.

Additional Requirements

• For Kirksville RCF staff, Illinois staff, and Kansas Residential staff only: Must provide evidence that incumbent is free of infectious and contagious disease, such as TB, prior to beginning employment and annually thereafter.
• For Adolescent program only: Within six (6) months of employment, receive training on adolescent behavior, family dynamics, communication skills, incest, sexual abuse, physical and emotional abuse, stress management, and the effect of peer pressure.

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements and working conditions described here are representative of those an Employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job duties and responsibilities.

While performing the duties of this job, the Employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and sometimes sit for extended periods of time; the Employee is also required to be able to walk and climb stairs as needed. Frequent kneeling, crouching, bending, and stooping may be required. The Employee must routinely use hands and fingers to write, type, operate a mouse, file documents, and otherwise handle documents. They must talk and hear when responding to in-person and/or phone inquiries. The associate may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus.

For Residential Care Facility (RCF): Must be able to lift and/or move up to 50 lbs.

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