Behavioral Health Technician - OHL West Bank
Behavioral Health Technician-West Bank
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Job Summary
Odyssey House Louisiana, Inc. is seeking a full-time Behavioral Health Technician. The Behavioral Health Technician provides direct supervision of the clients in treatment. Behavioral Health Technicians work directly with the clients supervising all daily activities. Clients in treatment reside at the agency’s West Bank campus and therefore Behavioral Health Technicians are needed for direct client supervision 24 hours and 7 days per week. All Behavioral Health Technicians report directly to the Program Manager of OHL West Bank treatment and are expected to work closely with all clinical, medical, and other staff to ensure clients receive comprehensive substance use disorder treatment services.
Responsibilities and Duties
It is the duty and responsibility of the Behavioral Health Technician to:
- ensure a safe environment for clients;
- exercise therapeutic communication skills;
- take steps to de-escalate distressed clients;
- observe and document client behavior;
- assist with therapeutic and recreational activities;
- monitor clients’ physical well-being;
- provide input regarding client progress to the interdisciplinary team;
- oversee the activities of the facility when there are no licensed staff on duty;
- possess adequate orientation and skills to assess situations related to relapse and to provide access to appropriate medical care when needed;
- function as client advocate;
- monitor residents to ensure their compliance with daily schedules and to always ensure their safety;
- receive and pass verbal and written feedback to clinical, medical, and other OHL staff as requested about client activity and behaviors;
- monitor visits from children and family members and provide documentation as requested by clinical staff and Program Manager;
- monitor and observe clients taking medications as requested by the Program Manager, complete all required documents in the clients charts as instructed, and inform Program Manager of any problems or concerns;
- complete all Incident Reports prior to the end of scheduled shift as required by Incident Policy and Procedure;
- assist with the planning and organization of therapeutic client activities both on and off the main campus;
- conduct urine screens as requested and complete all required documentation;
- facilitate and supervise all client feedback meetings;
- facilitate and monitor client phone calls;
- facilitate and supervise any community or in-house 12 step meetings (must be Present);
- complete client bed checks every 30 minutes or as requested by Program Manager and complete required documentation via emails during night runs;
- complete facility security rounds and ensure all doors and gates are locked and secured when appropriate;
- submit shift reports to Program Manager throughout shift via email as requested;
- contact Program Manager in the event of a fire or evacuation of the treatment facility as required;
- perform strip and property searches on all new clients as requested and perform strip searches on clients returning to the program from outside activities (NO CAVITY SEARCH);
- assist with other program functions as requested by Program Manager including but not limited to transportation and monitoring of the front desk;
- assist with providing clients cigarettes as scheduled per shift requiring staff to be in a smoking area with approximately 24 people smoking at one time;
- collect, wash and dry all client clothing and linen assigned on laundry day; and
- perform other duties as required.
Qualifications and Skills
Required
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Valid Divers License
- 2 years of Behavioral Health Tech in Acute Psych and substance use disorder treatment experience
- CPI de-escalation training knowledge
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Must be able to work overtime, weekends, holidays, and flexible hours.
- Candidates in recovery must have 2 plus years of sobriety.
Preferred
- Bachelor’s Degree in related field (social work, psychology, education)
- 3 plus years of Behavioral Health Tech experience in Acute Psych
- Knowledge of Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholic Anonymous principles
Compensation and Benefits
Competitive compensation and benefits package includes insurance (health, dental, vision, life, long-term and short-term disability), leave benefits and 401k match.