Behavioral Health Technician-WES Care

Hourly Salary Range: $21-$23 based on experience.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

The Philadelphia Model: Addressing serious mental illness (SMI) in long-term care (LTC) will provide highly

structured therapeutic residential behavioral healthcare and treatment for frail adults who are eligible for

skilled nursing level of care who also have serious mental illness and who have reached maximum benefit

from the mental health resources available elsewhere in the community or hospital. The program philosophy

is to create a welcoming, safe, and supportive environment where frail older adults with SMI that may include

other complex behavioral health needs and/or prior criminal history – and need long-term skilled nursing

services – can receive the care and services needed to address their holistic needs free of stigma. A multidisciplinary team will provide both long-term care and behavioral health services in this integrated program.

All team members will adhere to the WES CARE philosophy of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and adhere

to the mission to promote total wellness and provide high-quality residential health services to culturally diverse populations through a combination of compassion, innovative thinking, nimble and adaptive strategy, and engagement with clients, staff, and provider partners.

GENERAL OVERVIEW OF KEY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the direction and supervision of the Program Director and Licensed Registered Nurses in collaboration with other licensed professionals (I.e., social worker, program psychiatrist, Nurse Practitioner), the Behavioral Health Technician provides direct, quality, cost effective behavioral health care to residents.

ESSENTIAL & CORE FUNCTIONS:

1. Plans and provides behavioral health coaching to support resident’s day-to-day routine including but not limited to relationship/community support, socializations, nutritional, environmental, religious, and cultural needs under the direction and supervision of a Licensed Nurse.
2. Assists CNA in daily personal care routine i.e., feeding support, morning and bedtime routine, communication.
3. Monitors residents’ condition and assists in administering therapeutic care including medication compliance.
4. Facilitates healthy and socially acceptable behaviors while living in a community environment.
5. Reinforces positive behaviors to ensure boundaries are maintained with other residents, staff, and visitors and intervene as needed to maintain a safe environment.
6. Supports residents in meeting their clinical goals as outlined by the resident and treatment team in the individualized care plan.
7. Provides de-escalation techniques and trauma informed interactions as needed related to behaviors.
8. Participates in de-escalation of residents, and calls emergency codes, as necessary.
9. Responds to and participate in emergency codes and document resident behavior pre/post code.
10. Accompanies residents to interdisciplinary care conference and escort residents on medical, legal, and recreational activities and appointments.
11. Supervises family visits if appropriate.
12. Provides the Licensed Nurses (LPN & RN) with resident information to help evaluate care daily.
13. Observes and reports changes in residents’ behavior, physical or mental state to the Licensed Nurse.
14. Assists the Licensed Nurses in implementing the nursing process to behavior health care.
15. Provides and maintains a clean, safe environment for personnel, residents, families, and visitors.
16. Develops, leads, conducts, and participates in independent and focused group activities and teachings for residents and families, including educational and social programs.
17. Engages residents throughout the day.
18. Utilizes Electronic Health Records (EHR) system to document resident information, progress toward treatment modules/goals.
19. Performs regularly scheduled resident and environmental rounds of assigned units.
20. Responsible to assure resident’s rights and acts to prevent, identify, and report abuse.
21. Assists in orientation of new unit staff.
22. Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team and develops a rapport with co-workers that is conducive to effective teamwork and resident care.
23. Takes responsibility for personal and educational growth and development.
24. Participates in Performance Improvement and Quality Assurance activities.
25. Implements the mission, value, and philosophy of the department (in the context of the Nursing Department and facility mission, vision and values statements, philosophies, ethics, code of conduct and goals.
26. Supports and implements long-term care policies and procedures when providing care to residents and their families.
27. Performs all duties in a cost-efficient manner by the judicious use of supplies and safeguarding of equipment.
28. Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

1. Must meet all Community Behavioral Health (CBH) education and experience guidelines – bachelor's degree in human services OR HS diploma / GED equivalent and 2 years’ experience (paid or unpaid) providing direct care in a human services field required.
2. 12+ College credits in human services strongly preferred.
3. Must have 3-5 years’ experience providing care to older adults.
4. Current CPR certification required.
5. Previous Psychiatric or Addictions experience preferred.
6. Successful and satisfactory completion of facility orientation and a Behavioral Health Technician curriculum including feeding certification, HIV, TB, STD, De–escalation – all required for continued employment.
7. Bilingual capabilities (English/Spanish) a plus

COMPETENCIES & PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

• Knowledge of methods to administer therapeutic care to psychiatric, mental health and/or substance abuse residents;
• Working knowledge of electronic medical records and other computer applications related to the work and HIPAA (privacy).
• Must be computer literate and possess strong Crisis intervention, de-escalation and verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be able to: observe, assess, and record symptoms, reactions, and progress; provide therapeutic and compassionate care; work well as part of a team; maintain composure in uncertain situations; understand and follow safety procedure; demonstrate leadership qualities; maintain confidentiality; safely manage aggressive clients, verbally communicate to de-escalate a crisis and utilize effective communication skills in interacting with residents, families, visitors and coworkers.
• Ability to safely carry out de-escalation techniques required.
• Knowledge: Understands duties and responsibilities, has necessary skill set and technical skills. Understands program mission/values.
• Decision Making: Uses effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions and/or reaching conclusions.
• Relationship with Others: Demonstrates good rapport and cooperative working relationships; inspires confidence from residents, visitors, and staff by always performing in a highly professional manner and maintains professional relationships.
• Customer Service: Demonstrates concern for meeting internal and external customers' needs in a manner that provides satisfaction for the customer within the resources that can be made available; shows empathy, compassion, and respect by providing resident-centered care in an insightful manner.
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Communicate information to individuals or groups; clearly and concisely convey information orally or in writing to individuals or groups to ensure that they understand the information conveyed. Listen and respond appropriately to others. Ability to establish effective working relationships that foster organizational success.
• Observation Skills: Demonstrates ability to properly recognize, monitor, analyze and recall situations.

Quality of Work: Maintains high standards.

ORGANIZATIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY & RELATIONSHIPS:

1. The individual is to be supervised by the WES CARE Program Director and Behavioral Health Registered Nurse

ADDITIONAL RESPONSABILITIES:

Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PHYSICAL and MENTAL DEMANDS:

The employee must be prepared to work with uncooperative or aggressive residents.

Regularly, the employee will be required to talk, hear, and use hands.

All employees must follow the WES Infection Control policy and all federal, state, and local infection control regulations. Flexibility and scheduling are also necessary to complete required duties.