Behavioral Health Associate - Emergency Department

Since 1875, South Brooklyn Health has established its reputation for clinical excellence and culturally competent care. It has designations as a Certified Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) Center, an Advanced Primary Stroke Center, an accredited Baby-Friendly Hospital, a U.S. News & World Report high performing hospital. The hospital's staff is as diverse as the patients they serve. Interpreter services can be provided at any time of the day or night in over 130 languages.

At NYC Health + Hospitals, our mission is to deliver high quality care health services, without exception. Every employee takes a person-centered approach that exemplifies the ICARE values (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence) through empathic communication and partnerships between all persons.

4:00 P.M – 12:00 A.M

Purpose:

Under the direct supervision of a registered professional nurse, and in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, performs assigned duties, physical care and therapeutic and related mental health service activity, maintains direct contact with people who have emotional problems and handicaps, and interacts with patient (school age, adolescent, adult, geriatric) in the Acute Care settings and Emergency Department, and insures a properly maintained physical, social and clinical environment, including evaluation of patient needs

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

The Behavioral Health Associate is charged with and responsible for:

• Identifies the chain of command in the problem solving processes in patient care and uses these in a timely fashion.
• Demonstrates the ability to orient patients to their surroundings and provide a safe environment during the admission process, patient search, property check, visitor check.
• Questions changes in patients’ behavior/physical status and reports these to charge personnel in a timely fashion.
• Assists the staff in implementing the treatment plan including vital signs, assisting with lab work, EKGs, specimens, group activities.
• Performs tasks to ensure patient safety/security including appropriate use of restraint, C.O.(1:1), check sheets, locating equipment, and team assist in emergencies.
• States the hospital mission to patients and families and describes its impact on patient care.
• Applies knowledge of therapeutic communication techniques.
• Escorts patients to court, outside agencies, clinics, activities within the hospital and on the units.
• Responds to patients call bell and requests as appropriate.
• Assesses difficulties in promoting certain policies/procedures and reports these in staff meetings before major problems develop.
• Identifies client characteristics and environmental variables that may trigger agitated behavior(s) and communicates such information to the treatment team.
• Complies with all policies concerning confidentiality especially where patients are known in the community.
• Demonstrates basic knowledge of psychiatric disease processes including the impact of levels of anxiety on behavior.
• Assists in the application and removal of restraints and the implementations of seclusion, when deemed necessary by appropriate personnel; ensures the physical and emotional health and safety of the client when using such methods.
• Works effectively as a member of the multi-disciplinary team in planning and implementing behavioral treatment plans.
• Provides and/or assists with the physical care
• Utilizes crisis and/or de-escalation intervention practices, when necessary and appropriate, with clients whose behavior cannot be otherwise supported without such interventions.
• Performs and/or assist with the physical care of selected/assigned patients; performs assigned procedures (e.g. Dressing changes, taking vital signs, giving enemas, turning, lifting and activities of daily living); record care given on designated forms.
• Interacts courteously with patients and families in explaining and enforcing unit rules/regulations always aware of the multi-cultural diversity of our community.

Please be advised that proof of Covid-19 vaccination is required prior to hire.

If you wish to apply for this position, please apply online by clicking the "Apply Now" button.

NYC Health and Hospitals offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• Retirement Savings and Pension Plans
• Paid Holidays and Vacation in accordance with employees' Collectively bargained contracts
• Comprehensive Health Benefits for employees hired to work 20+ hrs. per week
• Multiple employee discounts programs
• Loan Forgiveness Programs for eligible employees
• College tuition discounts and professional development opportunities

VCB #: CON-04202023-0635