Independence Health System · 3 months ago
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TECHNICIAN
Unity, PA
Part-time
Onsite
Entry Level
1+ years expIndependence Health System is seeking a Behavioral Health Technician to deliver direct and indirect patient care in accordance with hospital policies and standards. The role involves assisting patients with daily living activities, conducting observations, and participating in educational activities to promote health and improve outcomes.
Health CareHospital
Responsibilities
Delivers direct and indirect patient care in accordance with hospital policies, procedures, protocols, and standards of care
Performs and/or assists with patient care needs as directed
Assists patients with activities of daily living if needed
Conducts vitals on patients
Conducts timed observation rounding of patients on the unit, based upon the patient’s identified level of risk
Collects, documents, and reports ongoing patient care data as directed
Interacts with assigned patients, makes pertinent observations of patients' behaviors, reports and records same
Remains with and observes assigned patients in a one-to-one situation if necessary
Demonstrates good interview techniques with phone contacts/patient/family/significant others and documents accordingly
Accompany patients off the unit for testing as needed
Assists in developing an educational process for the provision and coordination of patient care activities that promote and maintain health, foster self-care, and improve outcomes
Reports to R.N. information regarding the patient's readiness to learn
Plans and initiates patients' activities
Facilitates groups as requested
Documents observations in group/activity sessions
Demonstrates leadership by utilizing the behaviors inherent to the role of Behavioral Health Technician
Demonstrates an ability to solve problems utilizing critical thinking skills and seeks assistance from immediate supervisor when appropriate
Demonstrates knowledge of chain of command; refers patient questions/requests information to appropriate supervisor
Effectively functions as a resource person
Acts as patient advocate
Assists in the department's compliance with state, JCAHO, OSHA, and other regulatory agencies
Assists in preparation for inspection and surveys
Conducts audits to ensure compliance and quality care as directed
Adheres to the infection control process, including standard precautions, to reduce the risk of acquiring or transmitting infections
Participates in preparation for inspections, surveys and audits
Participates in ongoing unit performance improvement activities
Completes and documents follow up phone calls to patients and/or their families who have been discharged from the Emergency Department
Provides and participates in educational activities
Provides and documents patient/family education
Participates in staff education, both as participant and presenter
Makes recommendations for staff development
Serves on hospital committees and participates in other related projects as directed
Precept new Behavioral Health technician staff on the unit and in the Emergency Department
Process psychiatric emergencies
Assesses the severity of guest’s presenting condition
Completes Evidence Based Tools to screen and assess for patient’s risk of Suicide
Utilizes clinical expertise in collaboration with Emergency Department and Psychiatric team members to assign patient’s levels of risk
Works collaboratively with Nursing Staff to an effective comprehensive crisis resolution
Works collaboratively with all Emergency Departments of Independence Health System to facilitate effective resolution of behavioral health issues
Obtains authorization/reauthorization/certifications as appropriate for ongoing treatment
Demonstrates a working knowledge of the Mental Health Procedures Act
Works collaboratively with the Emergency Department and Behavioral Health treatment team to affect an effective comprehensive crisis solution
Communicates pertinent information of actual/potential problems to the professional staff
Communicates pertinent information at shift reports and during internal and external transfers
Consults with the Psychiatrist all clinical screening and assessment information after completion of the clinical interview of the patient and/or family in the Emergency Department
Consults with the Psychiatrist and Charge Nurse about incoming bed search requests
Conducts bed searches to facilitate patient transfers to other Behavioral Health Inpatient facilities
Consults with Psychiatrist and Emergency Department Physician on the need for admission to a higher level of care
Assists in development of the treatment plans and caring plans for patients being discharged from the Emergency Department
Conducts groups on the unit when available
Completes Positive Coping Plans for patients who are being discharged to home on the Acute Medical floors following Psychiatric consultations for suicide risk
Provides for patient safety in compliance with hospital and nursing department policies
Utilizes two forms of patient identification before implementing any form of patient care
Assumes appropriate code team role during code situations or mock codes
Responds effectively during emergency situations, including internal and external disasters
Assists in maintaining a safe and clean environment for patients, visitors and staff
Supports limited use of restraints in accordance with established standards and documents according to policies
Oversees that sufficient and proper supplies are maintained on an assigned unit
Monitors sterile supplies for expiration date and replaces as needed
Distributes and maintains a sufficient supply of linens in assigned patient care areas
Replenishes daily/weekly unit stock from appropriate departments, i.e., CSR, storeroom
Cleans supplies and unit-maintained equipment
Checks patient belongings for contraband and logs in on Patient/Valuable/Belongings sheet
Performs patient observations per unit policy. Performs unit safety checks, including room checks, per unit policy
Understands and utilizes principles of non-violent crisis intervention
Observes patients for increase in agitation and reports to RN for early intervention
Assists as needed in handling, restraining and secluding agitated patients using the least restrictive means
Assists in establishing control of the patient who is awaiting disposition from the Emergency Department
Knows how to use panic button and how to call security for assistance as needed
Utilizes Crisis Intervention skills
Provides crisis intervention utilization prescribed departmental procedure and recognized best practice techniques
Documents services provided according to department and regulatory agencies
Obtains authorizations/reauthorizations for treatment
Completes activity logs as requested
Completes patient assessments and facilitates legal processes
Interviews patients/families/significant others at time of initial presentation to complete psychosocial history and assessment
Documents clinical activities within established time frames according to department, hospital and regulatory agency standards
In collaboration with guest and the service team, establishes appropriate recovery-based goals
Assists with educating patients and families on all issues related to crisis intervention and resolution
Consults with Independence Health System staff, when requested, on all issues and concerns related to the Mental Health Procedures Act
Facilitates involuntary and voluntary commitments in the Emergency Room and on Acute Medical floors, with assistance from the County delegate as needed
Attends involuntary commitment hearings
May work under the direction of the Crisis Response Center Therapist or RN to communicate and coordinate patient care
Communicates effectively with patients/peers/families/treatment team/agencies
Attends at least 75% of staff meetings
Reads and signs off minutes of those not attended. Returns patient/family phone calls and documents
Provides peer/treatment team consultation when asked
Uses computer as required for email, scheduling, authorizations, insurance tracking. Etc
Collaborate with outside agencies to gather patient related clinical information to present to the Physicians and Nursing staff to formulate a plan of care, and act as a liaison
Other duties as assigned
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's Degree in Psychology or related field
Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice
Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) approved curriculum of the American Heart Association (CPR and AED) program
Act 34 with renewal
Act 33 with renewal
Act 73 FBI Clearance
Preferred
One (1) year mental health experience in a similar setting
Company
Independence Health System
Independence Health System offers patients nationally recognized quality care in cardiology, orthopedics, palliative care, and maternity as well as a broad range of surgical, medical, emergency, and behavioral health services, and an extensive network of primary care physicians.
1001-5000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Independence Health System has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (1)
2024 (7)
2023 (7)
2022 (4)
2021 (8)
2020 (2)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
unknown2023-01-03Acquired
Leadership Team
Laurie English
Sr. VP/ Chief Human Resources Officer, MBA, SPHR
Carol Fox
Chief Medical Officer
Recent News
Pittsburgh Business Times
2025-02-26
Pittsburgh Business Times
2023-11-19
Pittsburgh Business Times
2023-01-03
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