Behavioral Health Technician (LPT)

Education and Work Experience:

• High School Education/GED or equivalent: Preferred
• Associate's/Technical Degree or equivalent combination of education/related experience: Preferred
• Two years' experience in acute or long-term mental healthcare hospital: Preferred

Licenses/Certifications:

• Licensed Psychiatric Technician (LPT) licensure in state of practice: Preferred

Facility Specific License/Certifications:

• Licensed Psychiatric Technician (LPT) or Licensed Vocational Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse (LVN/LPN): Required
• Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) or Techniques for Effective Aggression Management (TEAM): Required
• Basic Life Support (BLS OR HS-BLS OR RQI BLS) certification: Required

Essential Functions:

• Uses de-escalation techniques and less restrictive interventions when providing nursing care. Uses seclusion and restraint interventions, as needed. Plans for meeting the daily care needs of assigned patients including evaluating common problems, identifying symptoms and behavioral changes, obtaining and reviewing medical data, implementing interventions and evaluating outcomes.
• Processes admissions and discharges, and completes intake interviews and orientation, as needed. Screens patient/client condition upon admission. Identifies the physical, emotional, social and cultural needs of assigned patients.
• Observes, reports, and documents the effectiveness of preventive, diagnostic, supportive and therapeutic interventions. Monitors diagnostic results and reports to the Registered Nurse (RN). Records observations of patient's condition including behavior, psychiatric symptoms, vital signs, weight, intake and output, etc., and informs immediate supervisor of changes or abnormalities. Evaluates the outcome of patient response to nursing care and communicates to the oncoming shift staff per nursing policy.
• Interacts with patients/clients, family and other health care practitioners in order to keep informed about patient condition. Communicates abnormal symptoms and diagnostic data to appropriate staff. Provides patient instructions regarding patient safety, personal hygiene and procedures. Assists with education and teaching of patient/client-problem solving skills. Identifies and reinforces patient/family teaching plans.
• Conducts routine rounding for patients. Monitors patients and environment for safety. Obtains medication consent forms prior to administering medications, according to regulatory requirements. Administers medications according to physician orders. Communicates with pharmacy personnel and nursing staff in relation to timing of medication administration.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Organizational Requirements:

Adventist Health is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our associates and patients. Therefore, we require that all associates receive all required vaccinations, including, but not limited to, measles, mumps, flu (based on the seasonal availability of the flu vaccine typically during October-March each year), COVID-19 vaccine (required in CA, HI and OR) etc., as a condition of employment, and annually thereafter. Medical and religious exemptions may apply.