BHA III Lead | Dona Ana County Crisis Triage Center | Las Cruces, New Mexico

About the Job:

PURPOSE STATEMENT:

The Lead Behavioral Health Associate, working under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and an active part of the treatment team, is responsible for providing continuous patient care, supervision, interaction, safety and role modeling to patients. Monitors and reports patient behaviors, assists in daily care, crisis situations, and medical emergencies as needed. Assists in maintaining medical records, BHA assignments, clerical support, and patient data collection. Provides guidance, mentoring and training for BHAs.

Roles and Responsibilities:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Ensures the wellbeing of patients and provides a safe, positive, supportive, and structured environment, under direction of charge nurse or supervisor.  Maintains a constant awareness and supervision of patients.
• Oversees or assists patients with activities of daily living, such as toileting, bathing, dressing, grooming, oral hygiene, meals, snacks, hydration and changing bed linens.
• Conducts safety checks, ensuring that supervision is conducted at intervals in accordance with individualized supervision guidelines.
• Checks patients for contraband and manages the patient’s valuables and belongings.
• Interacts routinely with patients, observes behaviors and communicates significant observations to supervisor.
• Engages with patient in activities and interactions designed to encourage achievement of treatment goals.
• Facilitates patient educational-rehabilitative groups which cover a variety of topics including social skills, coping skills and independent living skills.
• Takes and records vital signs properly and communicates significant changes in patient’s condition to the charge nurse.
• Charts in patient records timely, accurately, and appropriately.  
• Applies de-escalation techniques to help manage patient’s emotions, behavior and participation in treatment and assists with seclusion and restraints when necessary.
• Assists with unit cleaning, organization of new admits charts, discharge process, filing, etc. Initiates patient/employee incident reports.
• Provides transfer or transportation for patients or coordinate transportation with appropriate staff members, as required.
• Receives report from previous shift to utilize information in planning for shift; gives accurate and thorough report to oncoming shift Lead.
• Helps with admissions and discharges if needed.
• Participates in rehabilitation and treatment programs as well as teaching strategies to promote patient wellness and independence, as needed.
• Ensures that the program schedule is being followed and reports to supervisor variances to program schedule.
• Assists the Charge Nurse with assignments for BHAs, group coverage, charting, breaks, environmental and safety rounds and codes.
• Assists in providing guidance and direction to other BHAs, including mentoring of new staff.
• Performs day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining files and processing paperwork.
• Coordinates and leads the work and activities of others, including scheduling programs and activities.
• Maintains inventory of unit supplies.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

• High school graduate or equivalent required. Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in human service field from an accredited college or university preferred.  
• At least two years’ experience as a BHA required.
• Two or more years’ experience working with the specific population of the facility required.
• Knowledge of common psychiatric disorders and/or dual diagnosis and various treatment modalities of the population served required.
• Exceptional knowledge of and skills in verbal deescalation and crisis intervention.

LICENSES/DESIGNATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS:

• CPR and de-escalation and restraint certification required (training available upon hire and offered by facility).
• First aid may be required based on state or facility requirements.

WORK LOCATION:

This position is onsite and is not a remote position.

SUPERVISORY REQUIREMENTS:

This position is an Individual Contributor.

Why Dona Ana County Crisis Triage Center?Dona Ana County Crisis Triage Center offers a comprehensive benefit plan and a competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. Qualified candidates should apply by submitting a resume. Dona Ana County Crisis Triage Center is an EOE.

Veterans and military spouses are highly encouraged to apply. Summit BHC is dedicated to serving Veterans with specialized programming at our treatment centers across the country. We recognize and value the unique strengths of the military community in supporting our mission to serve those who have served.