Behavioral Health Associate I - On Call

Position Title: Behavioral Health Associate - On Call

Reports To: Residential Staffing Manager 

Classification: Non-Exempt; Hourly; Part-Time

Overview

The BHA I is a staff member who is primarily responsible for maintaining a safe and healthy environment for the residents at the ARCH facility. The other main focus of this position is the involvement they have in the treatment process by helping them to implement change and achieve desired goals.  This includes maintaining all safety issues, timely administration of medication (and/or facilitation of health issues), and completion of all shift documentation.   This job entails working closely and communicating with Substance Use Disorder Case Managers, Mental Health Clinicians, and other Behavioral Health Associates to ensure that ARCH is an environment conducive to treatment.  

VOA Alaska is a youth-serving organization providing prevention, early intervention, treatment, and recovery supports to youth and families struggling with mental illness and addiction. We are honored to walk with families during these times and provide support and hope through recovery. Our core values are connection, responsibility, courage, innovation, hope, and joy. We are looking for individuals who espouse these core values and align with this mission of services to the community.

Essential Functions, Duties, & Responsibilities

Behavior Management

The role of the BHA I within the treatment process of ARCH includes their role as a coach. The BHA I provides interventions and behavioral management within program guidelines and under direction of the supervisory staff. The BHA I provides behavioral interventions to residents using such tools as setting clear boundaries and limits, enforcing program rules, the point system and implementing individual and group interventions under the guidance of supervisory staff.   The BHA I provides crisis intervention services as needed, within program guidelines, and with the supervision from a member of the treatment team.  Each BHA I will have the skills to use the social environment to bring about healthy behavior changes in the clients. They will manage situations independently utilizing skills associated with building off of client strengths, guiding clients through identifying problems and working alongside them to help coach through to solutions. It is crucial in this position to have strong communication skills to relay pertinent information to other members of the team to ensure wrap around services are being offered to the residents of the program. 

Health and Safety

The BHA I is responsible for maintaining a safe and healthy environment.  The BHA I oversees clients self-administering medication and documents this process in the staff log and medication log.   This position is responsible for facility management during assigned shifts.  This includes having knowledge and skills for the maintenance and orderliness of the physical environment.  The BHA I is responsible for maintaining the staff sight philosophy of the agency. They must remain on shift until they are relieved by staff and the mandatory staff client census (1:6) is established.  The position is responsible for implementing emergency procedures when needed and conducting emergency drills as assigned, along with documenting the outcome of each drill they conduct.  

Program Implementation 

The BHA I help organize and participate in educational, vocational, and recreational programming as directed.  They may prepare or oversee preparation of meals for clients, supervise client chores and provide services in the school, provide support services such as transportation in a company vehicle when necessary and for following the procedure to facilitate urinalysis testing. Additionally, the BHA I are responsible for checking clients in and out of the ARCH facility conducting personal and room searches and are expected to participate in moderately physical activities with the clients (such as hikes, walks, etc).

Expectations

• Employees are willing to work a minimum of 32 hours per month.
• Employees are able to return phone calls within a reasonable timeframe.
• Employees are willing to work weekends and evenings.
• Provides a schedule of availability that is a month ahead of time (Turned in by the 15^th of every month for the following month) which aligns with ARCH’s scheduled shifts: 12am-8am, 8am-4pm, and 4pm-12am and equals to a minimum of 32 hours a month (4 shifts)

Documentation 

The BHA I is responsible for all required documentation and completes written client records and logs, per agency policy.  The position is also responsible for the completion of Critical Incident Reports in accordance with agency deadlines.

Other Duties 

The BHA I adheres to the NAADAC code of ethics as well as the code of conduct for this agency.   Adherence to the federal regulations mandated by HIPAA and 42 CFR part 2, and confidentiality requirements is required as outlined in agency policies and procedures. All other duties as assigned. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• High School Diploma/ G.E.D.
• Two years of relevant experience preferred
• Ability to make sound decisions based on information available
• Excellent writing and communication skills
• Ability to work flexible hours, including days, evenings, weekend hours and holidays
• Ability to safely transport clients in agency’s vehicle if required
• Ability to participate in recreational activities, such as hikes, and/or indoor/outdoor events with clients.

Working Conditions

The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Works in office areas.   Interacts with staff, consultants, and outside vendors.  May be subjected to interruptions throughout the workday.  
• While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 25 pounds. The vision requirement includes close vision; consistent sighting of clients.

Acknowledgement

Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position.  However, this job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you may be required to perform.  The omission of specific descriptions of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or can be considered essential to this position.