Job Details

Behavioral Health Technician I

The Behavioral Health Technician I position is responsible for providing direct and supportive care to clients/patients. Duties generally include, but are not limited to, providing general oversight of day to day activities and at times, redirect of clients/patients; health monitoring (vital signs), intervene/respond to crisis and communicate with established treatment team, facilitate group education/structured activities, and/or transport clients/patients as needed. Behavioral Health Technicians are responsible for possessing a basic understanding of client/patient treatment plan, monitoring and documenting client/patient behavior and providing safe, therapeutic, and supportive environment for clients/patients.

For Residential Facility and Withdrawal Management:

• Admit, supervise, monitor, transfer, and discharge clients/patients.
• Ensure monitoring of vital signs, signs and symptoms of withdrawal, and possess knowledge to determine need for escalation to medical intervention when critical symptoms present.
• Obtain and record vital signs and relevant medical symptoms per policy and/or as indicated by medical personnel when applicable.
• Oversee medication administration per policy and procedure and as permitted by appropriate training certifications/permissions.
• Adhere to all medication policies and work with trained nursing staff to ensure all medication policies are followed whether self-administered by client/patient or staff-administered when appropriate training permits.
• Maintains accurate records of client medications and documents the self-administration of medications by clients or staff administration of medications.
• Monitors client self-administration of over the counter (OTC) medications, as well as the inventory and storage of OTC medications.
• Properly documents client's reported blood glucose level as indicated and maintains agency approved equipment per manufacturer's guidelines.
• Reports medication errors and/or medication discrepancies per agency policy and procedures.
• Follows Medication Storage and Destruction Policy & Procedure.
• Screen and monitor clients/patients for signs and symptoms of withdrawal to ensure that safety and recovery needs are being met (when applicable).
• Facilitate client/patient supervision checks per policy and/or procedure or when indicated by a safety/precautions plan.

For Illinois Only in addition to other duties listed: Serve in on-call for shift coverage.

For Residential Care Facility (RCF):

• Assist clients/patients with personal care (e.g. grooming, bathing, dressing, etc.) when needed.
• Admit, supervise, monitor, transfer, and discharge clients/patients.
• Ensure monitoring of vital signs and possess knowledge to determine need for escalation to medical intervention when critical symptoms present.
• Obtain and record vital signs and relevant medical symptoms per policy and/or as indicated by medical personnel when applicable.
• Oversee medication administration per policy and procedure and as permitted by appropriate training certifications/permissions.
• Adhere to all medication policies and work with trained nursing staff to ensure all medication policies are followed whether self-administered by client/patient or staff-administered when appropriate training permits.
• Maintains accurate records of client medications and documents the self-administration of medications by clients or staff administration of medications.
• Monitors client self-administration of over the counter (OTC) medications, as well as the inventory and storage of OTC medications.
• Properly documents client's reported blood glucose level as indicated and maintains agency approved equipment per manufacturer's guidelines.
• Reports medication errors and/or medication discrepancies per agency policy and procedures.
• Follows Medication Storage and Destruction Policy & Procedure.
• Note: Any self-administration of medication has to be with physician orders (whether OTC or prescribed medications).
• Facilitate client/patient supervision checks per policy and/or procedure or when indicated by a safety/precautions plan.

For all locations:

• Encourage clients/patients to adhere to program expectations and rules in a trauma informed manner and communicate concerning behaviors to the treatment team and supervisor as soon as possible. The supervisor and/or treatment team will assist with developing/implementing therapeutic interventions.
• Participate as an active member of the treatment team by helping to identify client's strengths, needs, abilities and preferences.
• Document and/or report at shift change and/or in client/patient record any exceptional behavior and/or areas of concerns related to client's behaviors/interactions.
• Assist in admission/orientation process with regard to client rights and rules under the supervision of the assigned supervisor. This may include obtaining vital signs, safety search of client/patient and/or belongings and collecting any urine/lab specimens for testing.
• Facilitate urine collection, testing, lab send-offs, and document in the client record following policy and procedures.
• Operate telephone system, record incoming messages accurately, place telephone calls as necessary or directed practicing good customer service skills and respond to crisis calls as necessary communicating with supervisor and/or treatment team in a timely manner.
• Assist, educate, and redirect clients/patients in performing daily activities as needed.
• Monitor client activities and document client activities occurring on shifts that are relevant to client's/patient's progress or behavior, including bed check documentation during overnight shifts.
• Ensure all clients/patients are accounted and present in scheduled activities.
• Foster adaptive behavior in clients by encouraging positive social interaction and role-modeling a solution focused approached to issues of concern.
• Ensure precaution protocols are adhered to and appropriate documentation occurs.
• Assist in monitoring general health conditions of clients/patients facilitating communications with the supervisor or treatment team in a timely manner.
• Prepare for and facilitate group rehabilitative support, education, recovery skills, or recreation groups as scheduled and assigned. NOTE: In some programs, this may be a core aspect of job duties.
• Provide client/patient transportation as needed to and from appointments. NOTE: In some programs, this may be a core aspect of job duties.
• Maintain a standard of behavior that is, at all times, consistent with Organization Code of Conduct and program philosophy.
• Complete all mandatory trainings within the required time frame within State Regulatory/CARF Standards.
• Attend staff meetings, treatment team meetings, training sessions, etc. as requested by supervisors.
• Maintains a safe and clean environment by observing general rules of good housekeeping.
• Reports maintenance problems, broken or malfunctioning equipment, other mechanical safety concerns following established reporting procedures.
• Be knowledgeable and adhere to all program policies and procedures.
• Demonstrate interest in long term and short term goals and objectives of the organization.
• Other duties as assigned by Leadership.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of confidentiality laws governing the treatment of substance use and mental health disorder treatment.
• Capable of communicating ideas clearly and effectively both verbally and written to produce clear and concise reports.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively with clients, Employees of organization, family members and other community contacts.
• Ability to apply common-sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Basic key-boarding skills and navigate/enter notes within electronic medical record.
• Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables within standardized situations.
• Ability to establish rapport with client/patient population while maintaining appropriate boundaries.

Experience and Education Qualifications:

• High School education OR equivalent and two (2) years responsible employment
• Experience in Human Services or related field preferred.
• OR
• Exceptions to the qualifications listed may be made by the appropriate Executive Team member.
• St. Louis County Programs: Bachelor's Degree, OR
• MAADC I or II
• For Residential Care Facility (RCF): Become credentialed as a Level 1 Med Aid (LIMA) and be Insulin Certified within the first ninety (90) days in position.