Behavioral Health Associate

Essential Responsibilities

• Conducts behavioral health groups following guidelines and policies
• Leads groups using effective group facilitation skills that promote participation and interaction
• Utilizes group process to develop insight, practice skills, and motivate client for change
• Follows lesson plan or curriculum and connects presented material to individual treatment plan goals
• Demonstrates knowledge of development in children, youth and young adults
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of behavioral health problems in children, youth, and young adults
• Works with issues of confidentiality, consent and capacity
• Collaborates and coordinates with family, parents, caregivers and community and natural supports
• Communicates effectively with children and youth of differing ages and developmental level
• Utilizes appropriate crisis intervention techniques for client stabilization
• Accurately screens for risk to self, others, property and the presence of grave disability and makes appropriate referrals
• Documents and reports and/or notifies as required by law
• Applies QPRT principles in assessing risk and in safety and treatment planning
• Develops and documents appropriate safety plans
• Conducts screenings, admissions and discharges as part of an integrated detox treatment plan
• Accurately collects vitals including blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, respiration rate and breathalyzer and urine specimen
• Accurately administers and interprets intoxication and withdrawal monitoring scales
• Monitors stabilization of clients including mental health and emotional dysregulations
• Demonstrates knowledge of normal aging process and age related changes
• Demonstrates understanding of neurocognitive disorders and their impacts on functioning
• Demonstrates awareness of how medical issues can affect mental status
• Observes medication self-administration and adheres to medication management policies
• Practices the Five Rights of Medication Administration
• Orders/re-orders medications
• Documents medication self-administration in Medication Administration Record (MAR)
• Conducts and documents ongoing assessment of medication adherence, effectiveness, and side effects
• Completes Medication Error Reports according to policy
• Stores and/or disposes of medications according to policy
• Conducts in-program screening processes according to program guidelines
• Collects all pertinent clinical information
• Facilitates effective and professional communication during screening and intake processes
• Documents screenings and admission decisions as appropriate
• Provides supervision and support to clients consistent with the program plan and client care plan
• Reports concerns related to client abuse, neglect, exploitation to the Residential Program licensing entity
• Prepares and serves nutritious and palatable meals and snacks in accordance with WAC
• Ensures a clean and safe living environment by performing cleaning and laundry duties
• Safely transports clients to appointments in personal or agency vehicles as authorized
• Coordinates care with the client's medical providers
• Trains and monitors clients in self-care, interpersonal and social skills, use of leisure time, recreational opportunities, form completion, community resources, impulse control, behavior management and other practical living skills
• Stabilizes crisis situations by engaging appropriate services to maintain the least restrictive environment possible
• Adheres to policies and procedures regarding use and application of seclusion and restraints
• Adheres to techniques and approach to managing violent and aggressive behavior per crisis intervention training modality
• Documents specific client behaviors and staff interventions leading to safe use of seclusion and/or restraint
• Demonstrates proficiency in crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques such as PROACT and PERT training
• Completes all required service notes according to guidelines, policies and procedures
• Conducts and documents ongoing assessment of client symptoms and their response to prescribed medications
• Provides support and education to encourage clients to take medications as prescribed
• Promotes illness self-management skills to assist clients with medication adherence and symptom management
• Monitors medication side effects and facilitates access to medical staff as needed

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED
• Previous related experience preferred
• Must be willing to comply with N95 respirator requirements, including removal of facial hair for fit testing
• Must be eligible for registration as Agency Affiliated Counselor
• Must have valid driver's license and vehicle liability insurance
• Must complete post-offer, pre-employment drug screen and background check