Behavioral Health Technician BHT-DUHS-Float Pool

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.

Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States. The largest of Duke Health's four hospitals with 1062 patient beds, it features comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more.

This job classification is used for the Behavioral Health Technician Float Pool managed by ISRP.

Perform a variety of routine activities to provide physical and psychological care to patients with psychiatric disorders.

• Observe patients and assess progress on a daily basis; report significant changes in patients' condition and/or behavior to supervising RN.
• Interact with patients on a one‑to‑one basis, providing recreational or social activities and reinforcing patient teaching.
• Assist patients in activities of daily living including making beds, bathing, personal hygiene, feeding and dressing.
• Assist patients with position changes, range of motion exercises, transfers and walking.
• Provide care and monitoring of patients in seclusion and/or restraint.
• Provide protection and control for patients as required to ensure patient safety in the facility.
• Participate in restraining combative patients as necessary.
• Ensure compliance with safety and infection control guidelines including universal precautions for self and patients.
• Participate in staff discussions to assess, coordinate and execute patient care.
• Maintain a clean, neat and safe work environment; activities may include but not be limited to tidying rooms, cleaning equipment, changing bed linens, restocking work areas, keeping rooms and hallways clear of debris, etc.
• Practice proper safety techniques in accordance with hospital and departmental policies and procedures: immediately report any mechanical or electrical equipment malfunctions, unsafe conditions, or employee/patient/visitor injuries to manager.
• Participate in the review of activities and processes for work area; assist in implementing changes to effect continual improvement in services provided; comply with regulatory and legal requirements.
• Assist in organizing and conducting recreational activities.
• Interact with patients on a one‑to‑one as well as small group basis; assist patients in planning how the treatment plan can be optimally utilized for their benefit.
• Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

Graduation from high school or GED.

1 year of experience working with patients with substance abuse, mental health, dementia diagnosis, intellectually or disabled preferred.

• Listing on the Nurse Aid Registry of North Carolina
• Certification as a Substance Abuse Counselor in North Carolina
• Certification as an Emergency Medical Technician in North Carolina
• Certification as a Behavioral Health Technician by The Academy of Addiction Professionals or American Medical Certification Association
• If a hire does not meet one of the 4 requirements, the BHT must start the process to complete one of the requirements within 1 year of employment and complete within 2 years.
• BCLS certification must be maintained/completed by the end of new hire orientation, which typically takes place during the first week of employment.
• CPI certification strongly preferred.
• Meet DUHS credential to perform analysis of blood glucose from finger sticks and report findings to nurse. Complete quality control measures for this equipment. Participate in specimen collection according to test requested. Is responsible for patient identification, specimen labeling, and collection verification. Instruct patients in collection and preservation of urine, sputum and stool samples for analysis. Obtain and record vital signs,…