Behavioral Health Technical Partner

Job Title: Behavioral Health Technical Partner

We are seeking a skilled and compassionate Behavioral Health Technical Partner to join our team at Excela Health. As a key member of our healthcare team, you will provide direct and indirect patient care under the direction of the RN or LPN.

Key Responsibilities:

• 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 assist patients 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.
• Interact with assigned patients, make pertinent observations of patient behaviors, report, and document same, including vital signs and meal consumption.
• Obtain individual patient care equipment as directed.
• Transport patients as directed.
• May perform the following skills: applies heating pads, sets 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, places patient in CPM machine, prepares and maintains isolation boxes and supplies, declutters patient rooms and storage areas, delivers 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.
• Obtains 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 healthcare 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.

Requirements:

• 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.

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.

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