Job Description
Northern Montana Hospital
Tech - BHS
The Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) under the supervision of professional nursing staff, performs duties related to defined patient care procedures, observes and monitors patient condition, records and reports information. Acts as integral part of the provision of a continuum of care for our clients. Immediate supervisor is Behavioral Health Services Department Director.
(Education, License / Registration, Experience, Knowledge and Abilities)
- High school diploma or G.E.D.
- Current driver’s license.
- Current BLS card
- Successful completion of CNA Course within one (1) year of employment
- If recovering, at least one (1) year sobriety / clean
Category classifications have been developed to assist employees in determining their risk for occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens. These categories are:
Category I Employee will have occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens in the performance of their routine jobs.
Category II Employee may have occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens in the performance of their routine jobs.
Category III Employee will not have exposure to bloodborne pathogens in the performance of their routine job.
Scope of practice includes taking and recording of vital signs, monitoring patient safety, application of restraints and collecting of delegated specimens.
- Provides emotional support for patients and families.
- Takes and records vital signs (temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure in both arms).
- Takes and records height and weight.
- Measures patient’s fluid and food intake and output.
- Collects sputum, feces and urine specimens according to hospital procedure.
- Assists patient with transfers, ambulation and other mobility, including wheelchairs, gurneys, etc., according to specific instructions in the care plan.
- Assists with ADL’s (grooming, oral care, dressing, bathing, etc.)
- Distributes meal trays and snacks.
- Performs computer entry on handheld terminals.
- Cleans patient care equipment, i.e., wheelchair, walker, commode, basin, etc.
- Passes linens as needed.
- Accompanies patient to appointments.
- Observes patient for signs / symptoms of abuse or neglect.
- Provides information on community support services available to the patient.
- Completes random bed and clothing checks.
- Documents patient’s behaviors.
- Assists with admission and discharge procedures including setting up equipment in patient’s room, taking / relaying messages, procuring equipment and running errands.
- Completes minor housekeeping tasks to patient areas.
- Maintains building, housekeeping, security and lockup.
- Assists with inventory, preparing patient charts, departmental copying, sending faxes and other office duties as needed.
- Directs and encourages patients to attend scheduled activities.
- Assists nursing with collections of admission data (item log, consent to be photographed, visitor list, etc.)
- Completes the admit log.
- Leads community meeting and records client concerns appropriately.
- Assists patients with cognitive, exercise, art and relaxation therapies.
- Assists nursing staff with applying and monitoring patients in restraints or seclusion.
- Maintains basic knowledge of the signs and symptoms of medication side effects.
- Reads the communication book regularly and communicates in a therapeutic manner with patients.
- Performs other duties as needed.
- Answers the department telephone and takes appropriate messages
- Acts as a preceptor to newly hired staff members.
- Uses the computer to type up needed miscellaneous forms and schedules.
- Demonstrates knowledge of and compliance with safe working techniques, reports unsafe working conditions promptly and participates in department safety assessment.
- Demonstrates the ability to be a self-starter and practices good organization skills.
- Demonstrates good customer relation skills.
- Maintains honesty at all times.
- Completes required annual safety updates and other appropriate in-services and workshops.
- Demonstrates the willingness to work varying shifts and hours.
- Demonstrates ability to work and communicate well with supervisor and other employees.
- Consistently performs work duties and does not deviate to personal activities.
- Uses sick time appropriately and is punctual at all times.
- Works well under pressure.
- Sincerely and positively reflect concern and inspire confidence when interacting with others.
- Demonstrates the ability to work independently, without direct supervision.
- Respects confidentiality of patients.
- Strives to problem solve conflicts by using proper communication channels and chain of command.
- Adheres to hospital / department dress code and grooming standards.
- Performance is consistently accurate and dependable.
- Demonstrates orderly work habits.
