Behavioral Health Technician Trainer

Part-time, Days

20 hrs/week

General Summary

Works collaboratively with the Charge Nurse and Lead PA to facilitate a stable milieu and smooth operation of the unit; ensure safety of patients, visitors, and staff; and provides therapeutic interventions in accordance with patient treatment plans and hospital policies. Teaches techniques in de-escalation and crisis management to staff. Helps to prepare patients for discharge.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Functions:

• Collaborates with the Lead PA to organize unit tasks and make staff assignments.
• Directs Psychiatric Assistants to complete unit tasks assigned.
• Assists RN and Lead PA in processing and debriefing unusual events and behavioral crises with staff.
• Assists in developing individual treatment plans for clients.
• Assists in developing a Performance Improvement plan for problem areas.
• Maintains client level of supervision and precautions determined by the treatment team.
• Identifies and reports unsafe conditions in the milieu.
• Intervenes to modify client behavior including verbal interaction and engaging the client in activities.
• Manages behavioral crises under the direction of an RN including 1:1 observation, redirection, physical restraint and team crisis intervention.
• Establishes and maintains positive, therapeutic relationships with clients.
• Completes fifteen-minute checks thoroughly and in a timely manner.
• Identifies and properly handles sharps and contraband.
• Logs meetings with staff.
• Provides routine feedback to charge nurse regarding staff progress in de-escalation and crisis management.
• Organizes unit tasks and makes staff assignments for the shift.
• Monitors assignments to ensure completion of tasks and effective distribution of workload.
• Remains available to unit staff and patients to maintain continuous awareness of the milieu.
• Keeps the Charge Nurse apprised of developing milieu issues, and collaborates in deciding on a course of intervention.
• Assists Charge Nurse in processing and debriefing unusual events and behavioral crises with staff.
• Connects with the Lead PA's from both the previous and subsequent shifts to facilitate communication of pertinent milieu management issues.
• Updates Treatment Plan under direction of RN and reviews with client.
• Reports changes observed in clients' behavior to the treatment team.
• Documents observations, care provided and client responses according to DAR format.
• Collaborates with unit staff to provide feedback/input into individual client treatment plans and progress toward goals.
• Completes the Nursing Procedures section of the Nursing Assessment for new admissions including body search and checking belongings.
• Takes client's vital signs as needed and reports abnormalities to the Registered Nurse.
• Assists with implementing aftercare plans at discharge.
• Orientation of new personnel based on the Preceptor Guidelines.
• Meets with Psychiatric Assistant I's as requested by Lead PA to provide feedback on performance and effectiveness.
• Reports issues of job performance or effectiveness to supervisor.
• Plans group interventions based on the needs of the current client group.
• Clearly and legibly documents the client's attendance and response to the intervention.
• Participates in training experiences related to group leadership.
• Provides assistance with personal hygiene.
• Observes client's appetite and sleep and promotes healthy nutrition and sleep patterns.
• Assists with toileting, ambulating and positioning clients as needed.
• Conducts a discharge group for adolescents preparing for discharge as needed.
• Role-play with adolescents on how they will respond to questions regarding absence from school.
• Ensure each patient has completed a discharge packet including a safety contract; home contract and letters on relevant topics.
• Track the completion on Discharge Tracking form.
• Serves as member of the TCI task force.
• Offers support to the Lead PA or activity staff when there is staff shortage.
• Updates changes in client data in the computer and replenishes paperwork in the client chart.

Common Expectations:

• Reports any problem areas affecting the functioning of the unit.
• Attends scheduled meetings and trainings to improve personal and professional growth.
• Establishes and maintains positive, therapeutic relationships with clients.

Qualifications

Minimum Education:

• High School Diploma or GED Required
• Bachelors Degree In behavioral or social sciences. Preferred

Work Experience:

• 1 year Of direct care experience in the mental health field at WellSpan Philhaven with satisfactory or above job performance evaluation. Required

Courses and Training:

• Completed training in TCI with demonstrated understanding and expertise in the use of TCI. Upon Hire Required

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Specific training in or demonstrated understanding of behavior therapy and behavior modification and/or behavior management is required.
• Interpersonal skills necessary to establish positive, therapeutic interactions with clients and work as part of a team.
• Demonstrated teaching ability and respect of peers.
• Demonstrated customer service awareness and capability.
• Visual and cognitive skills to read and write.
• Knowledge of and ability in the care and handling of clients in a specific age group (children, adolescents, adults or older adults) as assigned is required, including consideration of the special needs and behaviors of that age group. If more than one age group is served, knowledge and ability specific to each age group is required.