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.