Address: 501 N. 24th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85008

Salary: $22.9770 

Grade: 19

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

This position is eligible for a $5,000 hiring incentive.

What's it like working as a Behavioral Health Technician at the Arizona State Hospital?
Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/Bi-PG6dI_Vk

-Provides direct care staff work to psychiatric patients on a rotational schedule and may be required to work any shift or day of the week to meet the needs of the hospital and patients; observes, reports, and documents patient psychiatric and/or medical problems.
-Provides individual and group therapeutic interventions; assists patients in orientation to the milieu; documents patient treatment legibly and accurately using approved abbreviations;
-Documents patient information pertaining to behavioral changes, moods, conversations, group attendance, signs of physical illness, and objective observations and interventions.
-Supervises recreational social and therapeutic activities
-Assists with patients on admission by orienting to the unit; follows established departmental and hospital policies, patient rights, and individual treatment plans
-Provides basic health monitoring, i.e., vital signs under the direction of the registered nurse
-Assists through teaching patients with learning self-care in areas of activities of daily living, social skills, coping skills, and community resources as part of discharge planning.
-Assists in orientation of the MHPS Il's and MHPS Ill's new to or floating to the unit; ensures that the MHPS Il's and MHPS Ill's on assigned units are compliant with mandatory training and with policy and procedures and protocol verification, assists the Charge Nurse in the supervision and direction of MHPS ll's, and MHPS Ill's.
-Maintains a safe, clean, environment for patients and staff
-Responds and serves as lead to psychiatric emergencies with patients; reports patient behavioral changes to the psychiatric nurse
-Observes and interacts with assigned patients and groups
-Ensures that unit program is implemented and that individual patients are aware of their daily schedule and how to find the treatment locations.

-Communicates with patients using effective therapeutic techniques. Reports changes in conditions and unusual events lo the RN. Observes patients whereabouts i.e. monitors meals, performs wellness checks.
-Obtains and documents vital signs. Provides direct patient care including bathing, dressing , feeding, toileting, and other hygiene activities. Ensures and maintains a safe and clean working environment.
-Facilitates group and individual. therapeutic activities for assigned patients and documents treatment. Leads, coaches, and educates MHPS 2s and 3s in the provision of therapeutic activities
-Attends and participates in mandatory and assigned training. Reviews and acknowledges hospital policies, procedures and protocols in a timely manner. Provides training to MHPS 2s and 3s. Completes reports.
-Attends unit and patient meetings and communicates with the treatment team.
-Participates in crisis intervention. Coaches BHT 2s and 3s in proper emergency response.
-Other duties as assigned as related to the position

Knowledge of:
- Mental health principles, basic counseling techniques, of therapeutic interaction, special needs of the adolescent, adult, forensic, and geriatric populations.
- Principles of therapeutic communication; principles of infection control, hospital policies and procedures.
- Concepts of performance improvement activities.
- Mental health/ behavioral health practices, behavioral management and motivation techniques, patient rights and responsibilities.
- Safety policies and procedures, concepts of continuous quality improvement activities; leadership techniques.
- Performance Management (PM), and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) and Lean methodologies.

Skills in:
- Teaching activities of daily living, i.e., personal hygiene, money management, social skills, communication skills, coping skills, and community resources.
- Directing, leading, and supervising staff.
- Basic computer programs and software related to the health records.

Ability to:
- Document patient care issues timely, objectively, and in a concise fashion according to hospital policies and procedures.
- Identify and report patient behavioral changes and all abnormal physical findings to the psychiatric nurse.
- Lead and respond to psychiatric and medical emergencies.
- Assist with orientation and clinical supervision of BHT ll's, and Ill's, to maintain a safe and therapeutic environment.
- Provide direction, guidance, and supervision to patients and MHP Specialist staff.
- Understand and follow detailed oral and written instructions.
- Supervise recreational therapeutic group activities.
- Promote teamwork, being a productive member of a treatment team, and eliciting cooperation from other MHP Specialist team members.
- Support a diverse multi-cultural workforce that reflects the community, promotes equal opportunity at all levels of public employment, and creates an inclusive work environment that enables all individuals to perform to their fullest potential free from discrimination.

-Bachelor degree from an accredited college or university in psychology, social work, counseling with an emphasis in clinical work, and four years of experience in the care and treatment of the mentally ill, developmentally disabled or physically ill and/or incapacitated patients.

-Must be able to obtain and maintain CPR and NVCI certification.
-Must possess a valid level one fingerprint clearance card issues pursuant to A.R.S.41-1758.07 or must apply for a level one fingerprint clearance card within seven working days after beginning employment.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:
− Affordable medical and dental insurance plans
− Paid vacation and sick time
− 10 paid holidays per year
− Wellness program and plans
− Life insurance
− Short/long-term disability insurance
− Defined retirement plan
− Award winning Infant at Work program
− Credit union membership
− Transit subsidy
− ADHS Student Assistance Pilot Program

For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

To help you build a financially secure future, the State makes monthly contributions to finance your retirement benefit. The State will make a contribution to the ASRS in an amount equal to your contribution. In other words, you and the State will each pay 50% of the total cost of the benefit. New State employees have a 27 week wait period for contributions to begin.

Arizona State Government is an EOE/ADA Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling (602) 220-6462. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation. DHS is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All newly hired employees will be subject to E-Verify Employment Eligibility Verification.