INTAKE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TECHNICIAN PRN (DAYS/NIGHTS)

Position Summary:

This position will work under the direction of a registered nurse while assisting patients account to care plans and department policy.  This role ensures a comprehensive team approach in the care of patients and serves as liaison between nursing staff and patient in the performance of care plans.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Provides basic patient care including technical monitoring, recording vital signs and physical care.  Assists with patient orientation to treatment plan and care.  Monitors patient activity, physical and mental status and reports to nursing staff.  Inspects patient belongings for prohibited items.
2. Assists in providing safe and orderly care environment.  Maintains patient advocacy through observation and reporting behaviors, communications, and physical status.    
3. Recognizes patients that exhibiting aggressive behavior, acting as a danger to themselves or others, or are in crisis constituting a medical emergency.  Provides intervention to include, but not limited to, redirecting of patient and/or participating in restraint or seclusion as needed.
4. Assesses and interacts with patients and families.  Provides care that promotes dignity, independence, strength, privacy and choice.  Exhibits respect for diversity and boundaries.  
5. Provides optimal care by maintaining skill set related to symptoms and treatment of behavioral disorders relevant to treatment practices in accordance with State regulations.  Maintains knowledge of prescribed medications for the patient group with side effects and contraindications.
6. Assists in the admission, discharge, and transfer of patients and processes administrative documentation for the patient medical record.
7. Perform other functions as assigned by a registered nurse or the Director of Nursing.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

This position has no supervisory or managerial responsibilities.

COMPETENCIES:

1. Technical aptitude.
2. Strong communication skills (written and verbal).
3. Ethical Conduct.
4. Ability to perform tasks independently.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This job operates in a clinical setting. This role routinely requires interaction with patients, documentation, and utilization of standard office equipment. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Ability to exercise self-control in potentially volatile situations such as being verbally or physically confronted in a threatening or aggressive manner; must be able to work and concentrate amidst distractions such as noise, conversation and foot traffic; ability to handle interruptions often and be able to move from one task to another; must be flexible and not easily frustrated in dealing with differences of opinions.

Ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, stand, walk, push, pull, lift (up to 35 lbs), grasp, and be able to perceive the attributes of objects such as size, shape, temperature, and/or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of the fingertips.  Ability to express and exchange ideas via spoken work during activities in which they must convey detail or important spoken instructions to others accurately, sometimes quickly and loudly.  Ability to express and exchange ideas via written assignments effectively and accurately.  Hearing to perceive the nature of sound with no less than 40 db loss @ Hz, 1000 Hz, and 2000 Hz with or without correction; ability to perceive detailed information through oral communication and to make fine discriminations in sound.  Performs repetitive motions with wrists, hands and fingers.

Worker is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions; conditions are typical of office settings and administrative work.

Must be able to address and prioritize multiple task demands within established time frames.

TRAVEL:

This position requires no travel.

REQUIRED EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE:

• High School Diploma or equivalent work experience required.
• CPR certification, Basic Life Support, Behavioral Management Training required prior to patient interaction.
• Two years behavioral health technician preferred.