Program Technician I/II

Statement of Purpose

Under the direct supervision of the Program Director/Supervisor, the Program Technician I supports program activities in running smoothly by providing direct monitoring and assistance to patients, assisting clinical and administrative staff, and maintaining the integrity of facility operations. The Program Technician helps uphold a structured, recovery oriented setting by monitoring patient activities, facilitating adherence to program rules, conducting drug testing procedures, and maintaining accurate documentation.

Major Tasks, Duties, and Responsibilities

• Monitor patient activities and complete scheduled rounds, patient checks, etc. to ensure safety, support program compliance, and support treatment progress.

• Complete patient belonging and living area searches within program policy and protocol to support safety.

• Aids patients in becoming accustomed to program routine, including but not limited to orientation of new patients.

• Participate as a support in the intake, treatment, and discharge process including gathering client signatures, filing client documentation, and supporting with data entry as needed.

• Assures facility and patient living quarters meet cleanliness and repair standards, including assurance of patient completion of activities of daily living.

• Perform toxicology testing, take and record vitals as needed, chart relevant information

• Signs patients in and out of facility for passes, etc. as approved by treatment team and/or program management.

• Enforce rules and regulations to ensure the smooth and orderly operation of the program.

• Inventories and orders supplies as needed, with approval of program management, for carrying out job duties.

• Prepares written reports, shift documentation, etc. as needed and assigned.

• May accompany patients to activities inside the program or in the community, including but limited to serving as support when a patient has an appointment off premises.

• Observes patient behavior and report any issues, concerns, or changes to treatment team and/or program management.

• Provides administrative support to counseling, administrative, clerical, or other program staff as needed.

• Reports the need for facility and vehicle maintenance and repair to appropriate staff

• Ensure compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards, including but not limited to DMH, DHCS, SAPC, HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, CARF, etc.

• Respond to behavioral crises, medical emergencies, suicidal ideation, overdose including administration of anti-overdose medications as needed, or acute intoxication safely, within scope of practice

• Report and record any changes observed in client condition or behavior, including unusual incidents. Identify, report, and assist with the management of emergencies.

• Participate in safety programming to promote client and staff safety. Maintain health and safety standards of facility.

• Participate in treatment team meetings, case conferences, and program planning.

• Contribute to agency quality assurance and improvement initiatives.

• Maintain professional boundaries and standards. Treat clients with respect, care, and concern. Comply with confidentiality requirements at all times.

• Maintain familiarity with BHS policies and procedures and other applicable regulations; perform job duties accordingly. Represent BHS well in all contacts.

• Courteously answer phones, appropriately directing calls and taking messages. Facilitate client external communication as approved by supervisor.

• Attend meetings and trainings, and participate in committees as assigned.

• Other duties as assigned.

Program Technician Competencies and Performance Expectations

• Ability to complete the above major tasks, duties and responsibilities

• Ability to demonstrate professional judgment and decision-making, including ability to recognize and seek out supervision and/or consultation when required

• Ability to recognize and report the symptoms associated with substance use and co-occurring disorders (i.e., mental health, medical health, etc.)

• Ability to identify and respond appropriately to a crisis within scope of practice including but not limited to overdose, behavioral challenges, contraband protocol, emergency codes, etc.

• Ability to meet productivity standards as assigned

• Ability to recognize personal biases within diverse populations. Maintain cultural sensitivity at all times.

• Ability to adhere to professional standards

Prerequisite Qualifications

The following are the qualifications required to perform the essential functions of this position.

Qualifications may be subject to modification based on the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Bilingual abilities may be required within certain BHS programs.

High school diploma or equivalency, or education may be substituted for up to one year of relevant work experience, training, or lived experience complying with BHS policies & procedures.

Well-organized person with basic clerical and alphanumeric filing skills. Preferred background includes human service, and communication skills.

Ability to operate required computer programs for position, including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite, electronic timekeeping system, electronic learning management system, upon hire or demonstrated competency developed within 90 days of employment.

Obtain First Aid and CPR certification within 90 days of employment and maintain current thereafter.

Must have a valid California driver license and liability insurance if driving a personal vehicle on BHS premises.

Able to stand, bend, stoop, squat and reach for purpose of performing duties such as handling materials stocked on shelves, filing and handling and sorting mail. Routinely lift and move items weighing up to twenty-five pounds; is expected to ask for assistance and use dolly or cart and any heavy items. Vision, hearing, manual dexterity, and eye-hand coordination are adequate for recordkeeping, writing, and using telephones, computers, and office machinery. Able to move about the facility and other off-site locations.

Complete annual TB, maintain in good standing.

The above statements reflect the general duties considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job as identified and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements which may be inherent in the position.

Statement of Purpose

The Program Technician II performs program support that may include core functional areas i.e. crisis intervention, client education, referral, reports and record keeping, and consultation as a team member. May collect, analyze and record specimens for drug testing and other assigned duties.

Major Tasks, Duties, and Responsibilities

Following is a general listing of the job duties inherent in this position. The employee will also perform other tasks and special projects as assigned or required.

• Aids clients in becoming accustomed to program routine.
• Answers the phone and assists callers as needed.
• Assists clients with finding information and filling out forms as needed.
• Assures facility and client living quarters meet cleanliness and repair standards.
• Attends staff meetings and in-service trainings as assigned.
• Monitor medication lines
• Collects samples, including urine, breath, perspiration, and hair for purposes of drug testing.
• Analyzes laboratory findings and checks the accuracy of the results.
• Analyzes samples of biological material for chemical content or reaction.
• Enters data from analysis of medical tests and clinical results into computer for storage.
• Operates, calibrates and maintains equipment used in quantitative and qualitative analysis.
• Sets up, cleans, and maintains laboratory equipment.
• Signs clients in and out of facility for passes, etc. as approved by counseling staff.
• Completes scheduled rounds and random inspections to ensure that clients and facilities are safe and secure.
• Complies with BHS health and safety policies
• Conveys respect for cultural and lifestyle diversities of clients and staff.
• Demonstrates ethical and appropriate behavior.
• Enforces rules and regulations to ensure the smooth and orderly operation of the program.
• Establishes and monitors quality assurance programs and activities to ensure the accuracy of laboratory and other program results.
• Inventories and orders supplies needed for carrying out job duties.
• Maintain records and prepares reports as directed.
• Maintains familiarity with BHS policies and procedures and other applicable regulations. Performs job duties accordingly.
• May accompany clients to activities inside the program or in the community..
• May serve as support when a client has an appointment off premises.
• Observes client position holders to see that their duties are completed adequately; reports any issues to counseling staff.
• Observes clients and reports unusual behavior to counseling staff.
• Participates in committees as assigned.
• Provides administrative support to counseling staff.
• May facilitate educational groups, (i.e. health and wellness, life skills)
• Crisis intervention, recognizes emergency situations and takes appropriate action, including recognizing and summoning assistance when necessary.
• Reports the need for facility maintenance and repair to appropriate staff
• Represents BHS well in all contacts.
• Works as a team member in performing job duties and assignments

Program Technician Competencies and Performance Expectations

• Engage in behavior which supports a program setting.
• Develop an understanding of drug and alcohol dependency, mental health, 12 Step programs, confidentiality, professional boundaries, and co-dependency.
• Collect, analyze, report and document laboratory specimens in strict accordance with protocol.
• Communicate clearly and effectively with clients, staffs, and others as needed.
• Keep work, file, and storage areas well organized.
• Maintain records and files in such a way that authorized staff can retrieve needed items without difficulty.
• Communicate clearly with clients, staff, and others.

Prerequisite Qualifications

Following are the qualifications required to perform the essential functions of this position. Qualifications may be subject to modification based on the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Bilingual abilities may be required within certain BHS programs.

A combination of education, training and work experience equivalent to the following:

• High school diploma or equivalency and enrolled in AOD school or registered, 2-years work experience.
• Education may be substituted for up to one year of the work experience.

Well-organized person with basic clerical and good alphanumeric filing skills. Prefer job background which includes people contact, both face-to-face and by telephone. Data entry and word processing experience or will train on the job with the requirement that employee demonstrates a learning curve resulting in computer skills adequate for this position within three months of hire.

Obtain First Aid and CPR certification within 90 days of employment and maintain current thereafter.

Must have a valid California driver license and liability insurance if driving personal vehicle on BHS premises.

Able to stand, bend, stoop, squat and reach for purpose of performing duties such as handling materials stocked on shelves, filing and handling and sorting mail. Routinely lift and move items weighing up to twenty-five pounds; is expected to ask for assistance and use dolly or cart and any heavy items. Vision, hearing, manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination adequate for recordkeeping, writing, and using telephones, computers, and office machinery. Able to move about the facility and other off-site locations.

The above statements reflect the general duties considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job as identified and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements which may be inherent in the position.