Behavioral Health Associate

Provides direct patient care to maintain each adult and adolescent patient’s physical and psychological safety. Examines data to grasp issues, draw conclusions and solve problems.

Must be able to perform basic recreational activities such as a daily walk and / or outing with clients

Must be prepared to eat 2-3 meals, prepared by kitchen staff, with the clients. This is essential to a client's recovery by demonstrating & promoting skills that restore health.

Driver's license required.

• Checks for right patient, right treatment, and right time.
• Documents accurately and communicates to appropriate authority in a timely manner if patient refuses treatment, error is made, or an unpredicted event occurs.
• Obtains vital signs and weights as ordered on all patients.
• Alerts the nurse on duty when vital signs are out of parameters
• Reviews and monitors therapy and treatment plans for effectiveness, accuracy, currency, and relevancy. Informs nurse treatment team of regularities.
• Demonstrates appropriate and effective utilization of technology, analysis of information, and selection of resources in care implementation.
• Provides ongoing assessment of patient’s status responds appropriately to patient needs.
• Attend group with clients and document that you have done so
• Take walks with clients as assigned.
• Observe when patients are using exercise video instead of walk
• Transport patient as needed and assigned to appointments outside of McCallum Place.
• Orients new patients to the program as assigned. Formally delivers information to patients. Presents information clearly, concisely, and logically. Focuses on key points. Responds quickly and effectively and provides answers to questions.
• Provides introduction to other patients and staff.
• Reviews the patient handbook to ensure patient understanding.
• Completes the belongings inventory.
• Attends to the nutritional and dietary needs of the patients. Actively promotes and solicits support for meal therapy. Models success behaviors, and encourages improvement.
• Provides support, redirection, and monitoring of inappropriate conversation or rituals at meals
• Checks meals and snacks to assure accuracy
• Assist with placing food items on the table once the kitchen staff has brought out the food.
• Provides one-on-one assistance to patients in crisis. Resolves or seeks advice to resolve difficult or complicated challenges. Partners with treatment team to identify and resolve complex or sensitive issues.
• Establishes a therapeutic relationship with patients, including rapport, therapeutic boundaries, and a providing assistance with treatment goals.
• Maintains appropriate boundaries with patients refraining from inappropriate self-disclosure, topics of conversation, or physical contact
• Provides patient support and guidance, assist in managing emergency situation in a prompt and professional manner
• Upholds and enforces patient’s privileges in accordance with their treatment plan, level of care and program guidelines.
• Assists patients in setting and meeting treatment goals and identifying appropriate coping skills
• Provides accurate and ongoing assessment of patient’s status responds to and communicates this appropriately through verbal and written communication. Seeks and uses others input about critical actions, timelines, sequencing, scope, expected outcomes and adjusts plans based on input.
• Accurately documents in shift progress notes and nutritional flow sheets.
• Communicates patient progress and ongoing needs in reports including all complaints at the end of each shift as outlined in the reporting procedure.
• Notifies patient’s treatment team, including therapist, physician, and Program Director as appropriate regarding specific patient concerns utilizing the proper communication procedures.
• Under nurse, supervision dispenses medication in accordance with policy. Diligently attends to details and pursues quality and accuracy in accomplishing dispensing medication tasks.
• Administers prescribed medications as directed by physician orders and nurse direction.
• Skilled in safely administering medication.
• Medications documentation is completed in accordance with policy.
• Communicates regularly with Direct Care staff, therapist, physicians, RD regarding specific patient needs. Conveys ideas and facts verbally and in writing using language the audience will understand.
• Actively participates in team meetings.
• Assists staff in understanding patients’ special issues, as well as skills for providing care relevant to these issues.
• Communicates medical safety concerns directly, as well as writing in patients’ Kardexes.
• In the absence of nurse contact physicians when clients have medical issues (vital signs, signs / symptoms, injuries, labs out of normal parameters. Obtain and contacts nursing staff to perform orders as directed by physician.
• Demonstrate professional conduct, concern, respect and compassion toward all patients, families, co-workers and the public as a representative of McCallum Place.

o Respects and maintains the confidentiality of all patient information, which includes not speaking about patient information in public settings or non-private areas at McCallum Place (i.e. community space, office with a door open, etc.).

o Demonstrates ability to work in a cooperative manner as a team member.

o Demonstrates ability to problem solve issues with coworkers and refrain from involvement in negative talk regarding coworkers.

o Communicates concerns regarding policies, working conditions, patients, or coworkers through appropriate channels.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Protected Veterans / Individuals with Disabilities

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