Behavioral Health Technician

St. Luke's is proud of the skills, experience and compassion of its employees. The employees of St. Luke's are our most valuable asset! Individually and together, our employees are dedicated to satisfying the mission of our organization which is an unwavering commitment to excellence as we care for the sick and injured; educate physicians, nurses and other health care providers; and improve access to care in the communities we serve, regardless of a patient's ability to pay for health care.

Here at St. Luke’s, PCRAFT values are the guiding core principles of our health care team and the qualities we strive for with every encounter. Pride, caring, respect, accountability, flexibility and teamwork are the qualities our team will deliver every time. As a patient or prospective employee, you can count on every member of the St. Luke’s team to display PCRAFT values in every situation.

St. Luke’s highly dedicated staff serves the Behavioral Health needs throughout our community in our Adolescent, Adult, Older Adult, Extended Acute Care and Detox and Rehab in-patient units which provide structure in a secure setting. St. Luke’s interdisciplinary treatment team consists of experienced mental health professionals including psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, nurses, case managers, behavioral health technicians and activity therapists.

The Behavioral Health Technician works under the supervision of the professional licensed nurse, performing clinical, as well as clerical functions within the behavioral inpatient service. In our 10 in-patient hospital-based units, the multidisciplinary team approach assists and promotes our patients’ understanding of behavioral health issues so that they can begin the journey to recovery.

Locations - Openings will vary by campus availability.

• Easton Campus:
- Adolescent Behavioral Health
• Lehighton Campus:
- Adult Behavioral Health
- Older Adult Behavioral Health
• Quakertown Campus:
- Adult Behavioral Health
• Sacred Heart Campus, Allentown:
- Adult Behavioral Health
- Older Adult Behavioral Health
- Extended Acute Care Behavioral Health
• St. Luke’s Penn Foundation Recovery Center, Sellersville:
- Inpatient Detox and Rehab (Drug and Alcohol)

Unique Opportunity: The St. Luke’s Behavioral Health Network Float Pool provides support to the campuses where in-patient behavioral health services are rendered, as necessary to ensure appropriate staffing levels which allow our Behavioral Health Technicians (BHT) to provide top quality care to our patients. The Network Float BHT is a professional with a minimum of 2 years- experience of in-patient behavioral health experience. Works cooperatively with ancillary, nursing and other patient-team personnel to maintain standards for professional nursing practice. A Float BHT will travel to 4 campuses and fulfill shifts for in-patient behavioral health units. Competitive compensation is offered with additional stipends for flexibility of travel.

WORK SCHEDULE:

Apply now to talk to a recruiter about our current openings! 

Full time, 36 or 40 hours per week  

Part time, less than 36 hours per week  

Per Diem (if available, requires experience) minimum of 2 shifts/month.

Holiday and weekend requirements per unit and company policies  .

All positions require the ability to complete initial 6 business days of classroom orientation followed by unit orientation.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Demonstrates proper chain of command for work related issues. 
• Maintains clinical records of all patient contact according to hospital policy and other regulatory guidelines.
• Follows treatment plan as directed by licensed personnel.
• Assists with the admission process and documents pertinent information
• Supports the patient performing and maintaining ADLs (Activities of Daily Living) - personal hygiene, nutrition, elimination, ambulation, physical mobility.
• Performs clinical procedures within scope of practice such as accurately obtains and records patient vital signs and I & O, performs glucometry, phlebotomy and EKGs and collects specimens for diagnostic tests; in compliance with departmental policies and procedures.
• Monitors the therapeutic environment by performing safety checksand monitors patient status by performing patient observations and continual rounding. Assumes responsibility for maintaining a clean and orderly environment.Ensures client safety and compliance of rules.
• Collaborates with treatment team members and communicateschanges in patients’ condition or unit milieu concerns with patient care team.
• Facilitates patient recreational and therapeutic activities under the direction of the professional licensed staff –including but not limited todialoguing with family members and clients, resolving conflicts between clients.
• Demonstrates competence in caring for and demonstrates skill as a member of the Control Team of the agitated/violent patient, who may require treatment with seclusion/restraints; in compliance with departmental policies and procedures.
• Assists with the discharge process at the direction of the nursing staff
• Inpatient Detox/Rehab positions may include job responsibilities above and shall include:
• Provides transportation for persons served, being sure to represent the agency in a professional and courteous manner byabiding by all vehicle traffic and safety laws.
• Knowledge of the signs and symptoms of alcohol, opiate, and benzodiazepine withdrawal.
• Prevents and intervenes in crises by detecting early signs of potential problems and deescalating problems in their early phase. Assists clients in problem solving and conflict resolution.
• Facilitates psycho-educational groups.  Groups will educate individuals about addiction, treatment, resilience and recovery.

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:

Must have ability to sit for 2 total hours per day, and up to 1 total consecutive hour. Must be able to stand for 8 total hours per day and up to 2 total consecutive hours. Must be able to walk 6 total hours per day and up to 10 total consecutive minutes. Must have the ability to frequently use fingers/hands for fingering and handling. Must have the ability to use upper extremities for frequent pushing of objects up to 10 pounds and occasional pushing of objects up to 75 lbs. Must have the ability to transport patients weighing up to 250 lbs. via wheelchair, stretcher and/or bed. Must have the ability for frequent stooping and bending. Must have the ability for frequent reaching above shoulder level. Must have the ability for touching as it relates to feeling objects by touching with the skin, particularly that of fingertips. Must have the ability for hearing as it relates to normal conversation, high frequency and low frequency hearing sounds. Must have the ability for seeing as it relates to general vision, near vision, color vision and peripheral vision.

EDUCATION:            

High School Graduate/GED required. BA/BS in human services field, or current student inBA/BS program relative to Nursing/Human Services/Criminal Justice or security field preferred.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

Please complete your application using your full legal name and current home address.  Be sure to include employment history for the past seven (7) years, including your present employer.  Additionally, you are encouraged to upload a current resume, including all work history, education, and/or certifications and licenses, if applicable.  It is highly recommended that you create a profile at the conclusion of submitting your first application.  Thank you for your interest in St. Luke's!!

St. Luke's University Health Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer.