Behavior Health Technician

MISSION STATEMENT: Leading adolescents to a new legacy.

The mission of CLEARFORK ACADEMY is to offer the highest quality and professional, substance abuse and mental health treatment across a full continuum of care. 

We are committed to treating patients and their families with the highest regard and respect as clients work toward reaching their highest growth potential in their recovery process. This is accomplished through the strict adherence to the highest ethical standards of care and policies and procedures set forth by the Texas Department of State of Health Services and the Joint Commission.

SUMMARY

The Behavioral Health Technician at CLEARFORK ACADEMY is responsible for performing advanced indirect and selected direct patient care duties in support of the clinical process. The Behavioral Health Technician performs their duties in a competent manner under the direction of the Director of Residential Services and assist in conducting educational, recreational, and therapeutic activities. Plays a vital role at Clearfork Academy and provides hands-on-care by observing and interacting with adolescents who struggle with substance abuse disorders and secondary mental health disorders as a result. Serves as the first responder to our clients and must maintain a stable personality and a true motivation to help others through their ethical conduct, good judgement, thoroughness, and discipline. 

AGE/PATIENT POPULATION(S) SERVED

Age of Patient Population Served: Adolescent and Young Adult Males/Females

Population Served: Person's meeting DSM 5 criteria for substance use disorders with or without co-occurring psychiatric illness.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Delivers appropriate indirect and selected direct patient care at a competent level as directed by a Shift Manager, Director of Residential Services, physician, registered nurse or licensed vocational nurse within the scope of approved Behavioral Health Technician skills inventory according to the needs/age of the patient/population served; collaborates with other members of the healthcare team to plan, expedite and promote quality patient care; employs critical thinking skills when identifying and responding to patient needs.
• Performs, monitors and documents vital signs. Collects urine drug screens on all admissions and random UDS on all RTC, PHP and IOP patients, as appropriate. Attends facility/community meetings and groups, conducts Program Orientation, searches belongings, collects unauthorized items to be placed in a secured area; conducts patient rounds and perimeter checks to ensure the safety of all patients.
• Ensures safe care to patients adhering to policies, procedures, and standards of care.
• Physical interventions in response to aggressive and self-injurious behavior. Ability to move quickly and confidently to intervene in situations when protective holds and/or movements are deemed necessary 
• Promotes individual professional growth/development by meeting requirements for mandatory/continuing education/skills competency; supports department goals which contribute to the success of the organization.
• Performs basic housekeeping duties during course of shift, including but not limited to, cleaning rooms and bathrooms (toilets, sinks, showers), cleaning microwaves, cleaning dirty utility rooms, doing laundry, sweeping, and mopping floor, trash collection, making beds, etc.
• Facilitates mealtimes and supervises clients during mealtime, to include searches prior to and after mealtime.
• Performs other duties and tasks as required.
• When required to transport patients:
• Prior to transporting patients, ensure that there are no alert signals active (i.e., check engine light, TMPS system, etc.) and confirms that tires are properly inflated in accordance with manufacturer standards.
• Accompany and transport patients as assigned.
• Arrives promptly and ensures patients prompt arrival for appointment.
• Follows vehicle operation rules.
• Practices defensive driving techniques
• Be able to verbalize protocol for transportation safety and for management of out-of-control behaviors.
• Reports to Nursing or Shift Manager concerns and/or issues related to client's transportation.

AGE SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES (ADOLESCENT AND YOUNG ADULT MALES/FEMALES) 

• Allows patient to maintain control; involves patient in decision-making and planning of care, as appropriate to condition and situation.
• Encourages participation in care.
• Demonstrates clinical knowledge of expected vital signs.
• Identifies trauma, abuse/neglect or exploitation a client may have experienced.
• Encourages family support.
• Recognizes/respects concerns over interruption of work/plans/separation from family, etc.
• Recognizes fears regarding potential lifestyle changes.
• Encourages verbalization of fears and anxiety; maintains age-appropriate communication.
• Demonstrates an understanding of developmental milestones of adolescents and young adults

Requirements

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

? Knowledge of industry standards as related to the position of Recovery Advocate.

? Professional readiness: Issues related to self-awareness, diversity, ethics, and continuing education.

? Knowledge of PC and Mac software programs, particularly Microsoft Word and Excel is required.

? Written and oral communication skills; must be able to concentrate on work amid distractions such as noise, conversations, and foot traffic.

? Must maintain self-control in volatile or hostile situations such as when verbally or physically confronted in an aggressive manner.

? Must be able to work independently with little direct supervision in an unstructured environment with multiple demands

? Ability to represent the program well in interactions both inside and outside the facility.

? Demonstrates an understanding of the developmental milestones of adolescents and young adults.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS: 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand or sit for extended periods of time. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

The job requires frequent contact with water (hand washing and cleaning) and working with body fluid and hazardous chemicals. When under these working conditions, OSHA standards and universal precautions must be followed at all times.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with minimal to high volumes of stress.

EEOC STATEMENT:

It is our policy to abide by all Federal and State laws, as well as, the requirements of 41 CFR a), a) and a), prohibiting discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibiting discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin