Behavioral Health Technician - Geriatric, Crisis Stabilization, and Perinatal Psychiatry Unit

Job Description

Description

Behavioral Health Technicians are needed for the Geriatric, Crisis Stabilization, and Perinatal Psychiatry Unit (4 Neurosciences). 

4 Neurosciences is comprised of three adult units which serve specific mental health populations. Geropsychiatry is a 10-bed unit serving geriatric patients admitted for the management of multiple medical and mental health issues. Crisis Stabilization is a 15-bed unit with nursing care provided to patients hospitalized for stabilization during acute mental health episodes. Perinatal Psychiatry is a 5-bed unit solely focused on treatment of women with psychiatric disorders during pregnancy or post-partum.

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. 
• High school diploma or GED. 
• Certification on the Nurse Aid Registry in North Carolina .
• BLS certification required.
• CPI certification preferred.
• Two supervisor recommendation letters must be submitted with application.
• Two years’ experience in behavioral health. 
• 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 who are not current BHTs).
  
• 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).

*This position qualifies for our Nursing Support Incentive Program. The Nursing Support Incentive Program includes $5,000 paid over a three (3) year commitment. Learn more about the program here: https://jobs.unchealthcare.org/pages/unc-hospitals-unc-rex-nursing-support-incentive-program.

This is a 36 hours per week position; working 12 hour rotating shifts (7am-7:30pm and 7pm-7:30am) with weekend and holiday rotation. This position qualifies for an extensive benefit package including PTO hours, which are accrued based on the number of worked hours. This position requires the ability to attend the required weeklong hospital orientation offered every two weeks. 

Orientation Schedule: Monday and Tuesday - In person from 8am to 4pm; Wednesday - 8am to 10am Virtual and in person from 1pm to 5 pm; and Thursday and Friday - Virtual 

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: 4 Neurosciences

Work Type: Full Time

Standard Hours Per Week: 36.00

Work Schedule: Rotating

Location of Job: US:NC:Chapel Hill

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.