Behavioral Health Technician

Overview

*** This position is contingent upon contract award ***

SOSi is seeking a Behavioral Health Technician to provide comprehensive mental health screenings, patient care management and facilitates basic psycho-educational groups to work on-site for our government customer in Elizabeth, NJ.

The Behavioral Health Technician augments on-site behavioral services to include patient education, segregation wellness checks, sleep checks, behavioral observations, and compliance coaching for medical and mental health patients. The Behavioral Health Technician consults with Behavioral Health Provider (BHP) to monitor patient compliance, promote safety and patient engagement within an integrated and therapeutic care milieu. The Behavioral Health Technician schedules appointments, completes medical records documentation in electronic Health Records (eHR) and coordinates follow up care for mental health patients under the direction of the Behavioral Health Provider.  

Responsibilities

• Under the clinical direction of a licensed Behavioral Health Provider assists in:
  • Providing direct services to assigned population.
  • Health data collection.
  • Observations of behaviors and wellness checks.
  • Perform sleep hygiene encounters and checks as directed.
  • Prompting as needed with activities of daily living.
  • Health and general program education and patient support.
  • Patient safety and risk monitoring.
  • Escorts BH detainees to appointments as required.
  • Observation of patient’s behaviors during all programming and recreation activities.
• Maintains a basic knowledge of behavioral health interventions including psychotropic medications and awareness of side effects and potential impact on patient functioning.
• Facilitate basic therapeutic and psycho-education groups (i.e. Processing Groups/Alternative Programming) and provides direct individual patient education, care and treatment.
• Assists in the development of specific behavioral treatment interventions such as coping skills, anger management, and other self-regulating behavior activities.
• Gathers patient care information through frequent contacts to assist behavioral health and medical providers with diagnosis, treatment planning, and medication management.
• Documents clinical observations of a patient’s behavior including mood, affect, mental sharpness, sleeping patterns, eating habits and overall functioning and any changes observed.
• Performs medical housing unit and special needs monitoring and wellness checks.
• Conduct crisis management in emergent situations through sound judgement and team collaboration according to standardized facility procedures and IHSC policy.
• Conduct program schedule management to include: group schedules, telehealth appointments, and individual check-ins).
• Chaperone and obtain/record vital signs for Tele-Behavioral Health (to include telepsychiatry) or any other clinical appointment (if available).
• Continues professional development through in-service education, workshops, conferences and self-study necessary to maintain current knowledge applicable to the position.
• Adhere to IHSC, PBNDS, ACA, NCCHC standards.
• Maintain proficiency and accurately utilize the IHSC electronic medical record.

Qualifications

• Ability to obtain/maintain required security clearance.
• Associate degree in a behavioral science/specialty field.
• Two years of work experience in a mental health clinic or residential healthcare setting. 
• Ability to obtain/maintain required security clearance.
• Ability to obtain/maintain pre-employment medical clearance.
• Basic knowledge regarding therapeutic communication and psychiatric recovery and rehabilitation skills.
• Ability to conduct clinical mental health screenings.
• Ability to facilitate skill building exercises, patient safety and wellness processing groups.
• Ability to coordinate instructional recreational activities.
• Ability to communicate with cultural awareness and respond to the unique needs of members of diverse populations.
• Ability to navigate electronic health records, web-based training and communications.
• Ability to communicate proficiently in English (verbal and written) in order to develop positive rapport with patients, co-workers and other stakeholders.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships and take direction in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Knowledge of regulations (HIPAA/Privacy Act) regarding the confidentiality of patient health records and information as well as Personally Identifiable Information (PII).
• Moderate proficiency in common Microsoft Office programs, specifically Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and SharePoint.

REQUIRED LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION

• American Association of Psychiatric Technicians (AAPT) certification at level three within 12 months of hire.
• Maintains current certification in either the American Heart Association Basic Life Support Course (BLS) or the American Red Cross CPR/BLS Course.

Working Conditions

• Facility Operates 24/7/365; employee may be required to respond during an emergency activation. 
• Ability to work non-traditional hours including evenings, as well as weekends and holidays. Night shifts may be requested at times based on mission needs but are generally not required. (Site specific). 
• The work requires some physical exertion, such as long periods of standing; walking or jogging unaided over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces; recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities; or recurring lifting of moderately heavy patients or equipment. 
• The work may require specific, but common, physical characteristics and abilities, such as agility and dexterity, visual, and hearing capabilities. 
• Must be able to respond to any medical emergency in the facility, via foot, within four minutes and perform CPR/emergency care standing or kneeling. 
• Ability to work efficiently under deadlines and pressure.
• Ability to keep up in a fast-paced environment.

SOSi is an equal employment opportunity employer and affirmative action employer. All interested individuals will receive consideration and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or protected veteran status. SOSi takes affirmative action in support of its policy to advance diversity and inclusion of individuals who are minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities.