Behavioral Health Associate

Overview

The psychiatric treatment of children and adolescents with severe emotional, behavioral, and neurodevelopmental disabilities is best accomplished within a comprehensive treatment program specifically designed to meet individualized needs. For this reason, Southwood Psychiatric Hospital has created an Intellectual Developmental Disability / Autism Spectrum Disorder (IDD/ASD) Residential Treatment Program. Located in Cannonsburg, Pennsylvania, the IDD/ASD Program provides treatment for up to 44 males between the ages of 6 and 21 years of age. The staff-to-child ratio in this program is 1:4, ensuring that each patient who takes part in this programming option has the thorough support he needs to be successful during the treatment process.

Patients working with residents must be 21 years of age.  We are not on the public transportation line.

​PURPOSE STATEMENT: 

Responsible for providing personal care services to patients at the facility under the direction of clinical or nursing leadership. Demonstrate a positive, empathetic and professional attitude towards customers always. When patient needs are not met, acknowledge and work to resolve complaints. Recognize that patient safety is a top priority.

Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Demonstrate a sense of urgency related to the importance of patient safety and provide excellent customer services. 
• ​Ensure the well-being of patients and provide a positive, supportive and structured environment. 
• ​Responsible for conducting safety checks and ensuring that supervision is conducted at 15 minute intervals, as noted in special precautions, or in accordance with individualized supervision guidelines as needed.  
• ​Document timely, accurate and appropriate clinical information in patient's medical record.  
• ​Assist in providing a safe, secure and comfortable environment for patients, significant others and staff. 

• ​Interact routinely with patients, observe behaviors and communicate significant observations to nursing staff. 
• ​May oversee or assist patients with activities of daily living, including toileting, bathing, dressing, grooming, oral hygiene, meals, snacks, hydration and changing bed linens.   
• ​May obtain patient's vital signs, height and weight as assigned and document in patient record.  
• ​Facilitate patient educational-rehabilitative groups which cover a variety of topics including social skills, coping skills, anger management and independent living skills. 
• ​Engage patients in activities and interactions designed to encourage achievement of treatment goals.  

• ​Complete and maintain required documentation.  Assist with follow-up and paperwork as required on incidents and events that may take place in the facility.   
• ​May provide transportation for patient or coordinate transportation with appropriate staff member. 
• ​Demonstrate a positive, empathetic and professional attitude towards customers always.  When patient needs are not met, acknowledge and work to resolve complaints.  Recognize that patient safety is a top priority. 

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

· Perform other functions and tasks as assigned.

SWOOD

Qualifications

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

· High school diploma or equivalent required.

· Six months or more experience working with the specific population of the facility preferred.

LICENSES/DESIGNATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS:

· CPR and de-escalation and restraint certification required (training available upon hire and offered by facility).

· First aid may be required based on state or facility requirements.

While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the requirements of the job, management reserves the right to add or remove duties from particular jobs when circumstances (e.g. emergencies, changes in workload, rush jobs or technological developments) dictate.

We are committed to providing equal  employment opportunities to all applicants for employment regardless of an individual’s characteristics protected by applicable state, federal and local laws.