Behavioral Health Technician

POSITION SUMMARY:

• Under supervision and direction of the Clinical Nurse and according to established procedures, provides routine service duties, technical and nursing procedures necessary to provide for care, comfort, and safety of patients.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Consistently supports the hospital's Spirit of Serving Standards, in line with the Mission, Vision and values of St. Joseph Medical Center.

2. Follows the guidelines related to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), designed to prevent or detect unauthorized disclosure of Protected Health Information (PHI).

3. Promotes a culture of safety for patients and Associates through proper identification, proper reporting, documentation and prevention of medical errors in a non-punitive environment.

4. Make environmental rounds with incoming shift daily. Responsible for environmental log sheet. Keep patient room unit environment neat and orderly.

5. Takes vital sign and blood sugar as ordered. Responsible for reporting abnormal readings to charge nurse. Responsible for documenting vital signs in the medical record.

6. Monitors hallways according to Behavioral Department guidelines; make rounds every 15 minutes with close attention to special precautions.

7. Maintains safety in milieu by staying on the unit and engaging patient in a therapeutic interaction or activity, especially during free time.

8. Search patient belongings and do visual body search on admission, using the wand. Responsible for documentation of patient valuables and belongings.

9. Reports to Registered Nurse any observed changes in behavior or condition of patients and unusual incidents.

10. Responds effectively with a patient at the defensive level with a directive approach by setting limits, making sure limits are clear, simple and enforceable.

a. Limit setting should be done objectively and in a non-threatening manner.

b. Understand and execute de-escalation for potential acting out behavior.

11. Understand and execute seclusion/restraint guideline; is aware of patient rights related to these emergency situations.

12. Provides and assists with safety for patients and peers when performing 1:1 for the assault risk patients by placing

themselves between the assigned patient and his peers at all times.

13. Daily assessment of patient needs and ADL; assists as needed.

14. Prepare patients for meals, check for correct tray, serve and assist with meals and snacks.

15. Transports patient to/from various departments. Collects and transports specimens to the correct department as needed.

16. Initiates or assists basic life support when needed.

17. Utilize appropriate tone, volume and cadence in all interactions.

JOB DETAILS:

• Full time day shift, 6:30a-7p. May rotate weekends

WORK EXPERIENCE:

· At least two years experience working with mental health patients.

LICENSE/REGISTRATION/CERTIFICATION:

· American Heart Association Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.

EDUCATION & TRAINING:

· High school graduate or G.E.D.

SKILLS:

· Technical, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills relevant to Behavioral Medicine in order to effectively communicate with physicians, team members, patients and families.

· Able to communicate effectively, in English, both verbally and in writing.

· Basic computer knowledge.

· Must demonstrate a caring and friendly attitude towards patients and customers.

· Demonstrates good body mechanics and lifting techniques.

· Demonstrates a working knowledge of preventive management of aggressive behavior.

· Understands impact of laws affecting mental health care.

Houston's oldest hospital is GROWING!

Welcome to St. Joseph Medical Center (SJMC), Houston's first and only downtown hospital delivering world-class care for the last 137 years and looking forward to the next century of exceptional care to Houstonians when they need us most.

Whether it's for a scheduled surgery, the birth of a baby, an unexpected emergency, or an outpatient visit, we have staff available around the clock to provide you access to immediate, quality health care. SJMC has been providing health care services to Greater Houston residents for over 130 years, which should give you great comfort in knowing that we have a great tradition of caring for our community. We strive to meet our patients' expectations and encourage our patients to provide us with feedback on how we can help them have the best experience possible while they're in our care.

Over the last years we have expanded our services to include the Advanced Wound Care Center, Comprehensive Cardiac and Vascular Services, the Women's Center, the St. Joseph Maternal Fetal Medicine Center, and a Weight Loss Surgery Program, just to name a few. As you work with our physicians, nurses, case managers, educators, and other staff, you will be guided through your health care journey, from diagnosis to treatment, with compassion every step of the way.

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are at the foundation of the care St Joseph Medical Center provides to our community we are privileged to support in all of our employment practices. We do not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression or any other non-job-related characteristic.