Behavioral Health Associate

Overview

PURPOSE STATEMENT:

Provide care for patients in accordance of the instructions of physicians or other health practitioners. Demonstrates a positive, empathetic, and professional attitude toward customers always.  When patient needs are not met, acknowledges and works 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 providing 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.
• Patient safety is monitored through required rounds completed timely. Patient room is clean and uncluttered.  Observation may be assigned every 15 minutes, within reach of patient and/or 1:1 patient care.
• May obtain patient’s vital signs, height and weight as assigned and document in patient record. accurate.
• Identify self to patient and visitors promptly and respond to patient requests quickly.
• Engage with patient in activities and interactions designed to encourage achievement of treatment goals.
• Respond to distressed patient in a non-threatening manner and attempt to understand the source of distress.
• Apply de-escalation techniques to help manage patient’s emotions, behavior and participation in treatment and assist with seclusion and restraint when necessary.
• As part of the multidisciplinary team provide safety and increase coping skills of patient and assist in developing strategies for helping patients to be as independent as possible.
• Monitor behavioral improvements and reinforce these behaviors. Report changes and responses to treatment by communicating with team.  Significant changes are reported to nurse immediately.
• Reinforce skills patients learn from nurses, physicians and therapist that promote improved physical and mental wellness.
• Oversee or assist patients with activities of daily living, including toileting, bathing, dressing, grooming, oral hygiene, meals, snacks, hydration and changing bed linens, as needed.
• Help with admissions and discharges if needed.
• Lead or co-lead individual or group sessions as part of specific recreational or therapeutic procedures.
• Participate in rehabilitation and treatment programs as well as teach strategies to promote patient wellness and independence, as needed.
• Provide transportation for patient or coordinate transportation with appropriate staff member, as needed.
• Quality of work exhibited through accuracy, neatness, and timeliness of work completed.
• Adherence to work schedule and overall attendance.

• 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.

Qualifications

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Six months experience as a BHA1 preferred.
• 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.

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