Louisiana Behavioral Health is a partnership between Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport and Oceans Healthcare, two Louisiana-based providers leading the transformation of behavioral health care through evidence-based, patient-centered treatment for adolescents, adults and seniors. The Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) supports the nursing staff in maintaining a therapeutic milieu by performing routinely assigned tasks and carrying out patient care activities within the scope of the BHT's training and experience. The BHT will maintain a safe and professional standard for patient care in accordance with Joint Commission, Federal and State regulations, Oceans' Mission, policies and procedures and performance improvement standards.

Essential Functions:

Continually monitors and supports compliance within unit rules. Demonstrates the ability to employ de-escalation and therapeutic interventions as needed. Inventories patient belongings accurately and secures contraband as needed; completes unit safety checks. Complies with standard/universal precautions and infection control policies and attends required in-services to keep self-informed. Implements patient care activities under the direction and supervision of licensed nursing personnel; performs vital signs, weights, ADL, nutritional monitoring and communicates findings to the nurse. Assists patients with laundry, meals, bathroom functions and maintaining of belongings; assists at -risk and/or physically challenged patients with mobility needs as needed. Individualizes all patient care activities to the age specific, disability, cultural sensitivity needs of the patient. Communicates and documents patient observation related to behavior and location and date effectively. Includes accurate documentation of nutritional intake, weights, liquid intake, vital signs, and output appropriately on the observation form. Communicates outcome of assigned tasks to nursing staff in a timely manner; Communicates follow-up on patient care responsibilities; incomplete assignments, ongoing activities and current patient needs to relevant staff to assure continuality of care. Performs other duties and projects as assigned.