Behavioral Health Technician

• Education: Associate degree in a behavioral science/specialty field.
• Experience: Two years of work experience in a mental health clinic or residential healthcare setting.

• American Association of Psychiatric Technicians (AAPT) certification at level three within 12 months of hire.
• Maintains current certification in either the American Heart Association Basic Life Support Course (BLS) or the American Red Cross CPR/BLS Course.

• Basic knowledge regarding therapeutic communication and psychiatric recovery and rehabilitation skills.
• Ability to conduct clinical mental health screenings.
• Ability to facilitate skill building exercises, patient safety and wellness processing groups.
• Ability to coordinate instructional recreational activities.
• Ability to communicate with cultural awareness and respond to the unique needs of members of diverse populations.  
• Ability to navigate electronic health records, web-based training and communications.
• Ability to communicate proficiently in English (verbal and written) in order to develop positive rapport with patients, co-workers and other stakeholders.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships and take direction in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Knowledge of regulations (HIPAA/Privacy Act) regarding the confidentiality of patient health records and information as well as Personally Identifiable Information (PII). 
• Moderate proficiency in common Microsoft Office programs, specifically Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and SharePoint.

• Under the clinical direction of a licensed Behavioral Health Provider assists in:  
  • providing direct services to assigned population; health data collection; observations of behaviors and wellness checks; perform sleep hygiene encounters and checks as directed; prompting as needed with activities of daily living; health and general program education and patient support; patient safety and risk monitoring; escorts BH detainees to appointments as required; observation of patient’s behaviors during all programming and recreation activities;
• ​​​​​​​Maintains a basic knowledge of behavioral health interventions including psychotropic medications and awareness of side effects and potential impact on patient functioning.
• Facilitate basic therapeutic and psycho-education groups (i.e. Processing Groups/Alternative Programming) and provides direct individual patient education, care and treatment.  
• Assists in the development of specific behavioral treatment interventions such as coping skills, anger management, and other self-regulating behavior activities.
• Gathers patient care information through frequent contacts to assist behavioral health and medical providers with diagnosis, treatment planning, and medication management.
• Documents clinical observations of a patient’s behavior including mood, affect, mental sharpness, sleeping patterns, eating habits and overall functioning and any changes observed.  
• Performs medical housing unit and special needs monitoring and wellness checks.  
• Conduct crisis management in emergent situations through sound judgement and team collaboration according to standardized facility procedures and IHSC policy.  
• Conduct program schedule management to include:  group schedules, telehealth appointments, and individual check-ins).
• Chaperone and obtain/record vital signs for Tele-Behavioral Health (to include telepsychiatry) any other clinical appointment (if available).
• Continues professional development through in-service education, workshops, conferences and self-study necessary to maintain current knowledge applicable to the position.
• Adhere to IHSC, PBNDS, ACA, NCCHC standards.
• Maintain proficiency and accurately utilizes the IHSC electronic medical record.

• IHSC operates 24/7/365; this position is required to respond during an emergency activation.
• This full-time position requires availability to work days, evenings, as well as weekends and holidays. Specific hours will be determined by the facility mission needs.  
• On-call availability is not required for this position.

• The Department of Homeland Security’s Personnel Security Unit (PSU) must render an Initial Preliminary Favorable Fitness Determination to be considered a qualified candidate.
• A Complete Favorable Fitness Determination must be rendered by PSU upon completion of initial, and between, subsequent background investigations to meet the requirements of this position.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain assigned security clearance.

• The work requires some physical exertion, such as long periods of standing; walking or jogging unaided over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces; recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities; or recurring lifting of moderately heavy patients or equipment.  
• The work may require specific, but common, physical characteristics and abilities, such as agility  and dexterity, visual, and hearing capabilities.  
• Must be able to respond to any medical emergency in the facility, via foot, within four minutes and perform CPR/emergency care standing or kneeling.
• Must have the ability to assist sick, injured, or aging detainees or staff exiting the building during an emergency.  

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