Behavioral Health Attendant

SUMMARY

Under the general direction of the Registered Nurse, the Behavioral Health Attendant (BHA) provides direct, non-clinical support to patients requiring direct or indirect observations and who may be experiencing mental health and behavioral challenges. BHAs collaborate with clinical staff to ensure a safe, therapeutic environment while upholding patient dignity and adhering to Brown University Health care values.

Brown University Health employees are expected to successfully role model the organization's values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence as these values guide our everyday actions with patients, customers, and one another.

In addition to our values, all employees are expected to demonstrate the core Success Factors, which tell us how we work together and how we get things done. The core Success Factors include:

• Instill Trust and Value Differences
• Patient and Community Focus and Collaborate

RESPONSIBILITIES

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Brown University Health employees are expected to successfully role model the organization’s values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence as these guide our everyday actions with patients, customers, and one another.

• Receives report on assigned patient before assuming responsibility of observations.
• Conduct continuous or intermittent patient observation as assigned.
• Reports changes in patient condition to nursing or clinical staff promptly.
• Monitor and document patient behavior, mood, and activity in accordance with established protocols.
• Maintains patient focus at all times, free from distractions.
• Assists patients with daily activities such as hygiene, meals, and mobility, as needed based upon report and direction received by registered nurse.
• Actively engages with assigned patient(s) throughout shift in a compassionate and respectful manner while providing interaction and recreational activities in accordance with training provided.
• De-escalate situations using approved verbal intervention techniques to promote patient and staff safety.
• Obtains initial certification and annual re-certification in full safety care level 1 training with no restrictions, BLS, and certification in safe patient handling.
• Attends staff development, supervision, and staff meetings as assigned.
• Ensure the care area is free of hazards and complies with safety guidelines, and assist with the maintenance of clean and orderly patient care spaces.
• Observes patient rights.
• Maintains confidentiality of patient information.
• Maintains patient privacy.
• Follows hospital policy and procedures regarding patient and staff safety practices.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• High School graduate or its equivalent required.

Experience

• Education in a human services field preferred.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

• Participates in patient care, activities of daily living, and physical management of patients per safe patient handling and safety care training.

Independent Action

• Work alongside clinical staff, including nurses, social workers, therapists, and physicians, to achieve treatment goals.

Supervisory Responsibility

• None.