Behavioral Health Technician I - UNC Hospitals Youth Behavioral Health

Job Description

Description

We are pleased to announce that we are looking for Behavioral Health Technicians to join our new Complex Adolescents & Addiction Inpatient Psychiatry Units at UNC Hospitals Youth Behavioral Health Facility (YBH).

Anticipated unit opening start dates, October 2023

UNC Hospitals Youth Behavioral Health is a 54 bed inpatient psychiatric facility located in Butner, NC. The hospital is composed of 4 units designed to care for child and adolescent patients with a variety of common mental health diagnoses, including those with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and with Autism Spectrum Disorder. In a milieu-based, trauma-informed, therapeutic setting, patients are treated by a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, including Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Therapy Services, Social Workers, Nursing Services, Pharmacy, Pastoral Care and Nutrition Services. Safety is the key component of the care provided as well as introduction of positive coping skills, healthy living and positive leisure activities.

Position Offering: 

• Shift: Rotating 
• Hours: Full Time; 36 hrs/wk; three/12 hour shifts 
• Entity: UNC Medical Center 
• Location: Butner, NC
• Eligible for State Retirement Benefit

Are you passionate about caring for adolescents and children in a behavioral health environment? If so, we have opportunities available for you in the following area:

Complex Adolescents & Addiction Inpatient Psychiatry Units:

• The Complex Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatry Unit is a 14-bed unit. The unit is comprised of 15-17 year old patients in crisis with a variety of mental health diagnoses.
• The Adolescent Addictions Inpatient Psychiatry Unit is a 14-bed unit. The unit is comprised of 15-17 year old patients in crisis with a mental health disorder or a dual diagnosis of substance use disorder and other mental health diagnoses.

As part of our career ladder, the Behavioral Health Technician for Psychiatry Services' applicant should provide evidence of clinical support experience in a behavioral health environment. A comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV) and two letter of recommendation from a professional clinical support nursing colleague are required and should be attached at time of application. 

The CV should include evidence of the following categories whenever possible: 

• Detailed work history 
• Applicants must teach a minimum of 10 group activities under RN supervision. 
  
• At least one year of experience at UNC Health Care (waived with evidence of 2 years’ prior BHT/MHT experience) (Internal applicants only who are not current BHTs). 
• Applicants must be free of corrective action at the time of application and promotion (written warning or final written warning) (Internal applicants only).
  
• Applicants must be of permanent employment status (Internal applicants only who are not current BHTs).
  
• Intent to advance form must be submitted at least 30 days prior to promotion (Internal applicants only who are not current BHTs).
• Two letters of recommendations for supervisor must be submitted with application.

Please see the link below with information about the incentive program for the Assistive Personnel at The UNC Hospitals Youth Behavioral Health:

https://jobs.unchealthcare.org/pages/unc-hospitals-youth-behavioral-health-hospital 

This position requires the ability to attend orientation and training at the UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill. Training will continue at the UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill and Hillsborough for several weeks after orientation until the facility in Butner is operational. 

Become part of an inclusive organization with over 40,000 diverse employees, whose mission is to improve the health and well-being of the unique communities we serve.

Summary:
Under close supervision, responsible for providing a safe, supportive and therapeutic environment for psychiatric patients. Provides direct patient care and may conduct therapeutic group sessions under the direction and supervision of the RN. Provides input to the RN to help develop the plan of care and assists in carrying out the plan of care for assigned patients. Assists with the admission of new patients and orients new patients and families to the unit.

Responsibilities:
1. Aids patients in reality orientation, participates in behavior modification plans/therapy, provides informal support therapy to patients/families, provides verbal de-escalation of potentially aggressive patients, aids in the physical management of aggressive/out-of-control patients, facilitates age appropriate play for children, and monitors the therapeutic milieu activities on assigned unit to ensure that emotional and safety needs of patients are met.
2. Assists in interviewing patients and their families for routine admission data. Orients patients and families to the facility. Provides data input during team discussions and meetings to assist in developing therapeutic plans and objectives.
3. Interacts with patients on a one to one as well as small group basis. Facilitates assigned groups in ways which encourage and require maximum patient participation and interaction, appropriate to functional level of group members.
4. Observes, collects, and documents patient information obtained while providing care and promptly report significant changes in the patient's condition to a registered nurse or physician.
5. Provides direct personal care to patients as outlined in plan of care for routine activities of daily living including bathing, personal hygiene, feeding and dressing. Assists patients with position changes, range of motion exercises, transfers and walking. Obtains and records vital signs, intake and output amounts or other measures as delegated. Observes patients and assesses progress on daily basis and reports significant changes in patients' condition and/or behavior to supervising RN.
6. Provides protection and control for patients as required to ensure patient safety in the facility. Participates in restraining combative patients as necessary. Provides care and monitoring of patients in seclusion and/or restraint.
7. Reinforce routine teaching given to patients by the registered nurse or physician and document patient understanding of instructions. Distributes patient education materials at the request of patients and/or health care providers

Other Information

Other information:
Education Requirements:
● High School diploma or GED
Licensure/Certification Requirements:
● Licensed as a Nursing Assistant I by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
● Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) certification within 60 days from date of hire.
● Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification or Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Provider certification
Professional Experience Requirements:
● Two (2) years of experience in a behavioral health environment.
● For Non-Triangle entities (Rockingham and Caldwell) - Requires one (1) year of experience in a behavioral health environment.
Knowledge/Skills/and Abilities Requirements:
● Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients and hospital staff. Ability to work with, express sensitivity and understanding, and secure the cooperation of patients, including maintaining empathetic attitude towards patients. Ability to work with groups of patients or individuals in didactic or recreational groups. Ability to keep calm in stressful situations. Must be fluent in verbal and written English language. Capability to develop computer skills if not competent.

Job Details

Legal Employer: STATE

Entity: UNC Medical Center

Organization Unit: UNCH YBH Complex Adol & Addict

Work Type: Full Time

Standard Hours Per Week: 36.00

Work Schedule: Rotating

Location of Job: Butner:NC:27509

Exempt From Overtime: Exempt: No

This is a State position employed by UNC Health Care System.

Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

UNC Health makes reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as applicants and employees with disabilities. All interested applicants are invited to apply for career opportunities. Please email [email protected] if you need a reasonable accommodation to search and/or to apply for a career opportunity.