Behavioral Health Professional - CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant)

Behavioral Health Professional Opportunity:

The Behavioral Health Professional (BHP) provides direct care, support, and therapeutic services to individuals experiencing mental health and/or substance use challenges in a trauma-informed, person-centered environment. The BHP collaborates with a multidisciplinary team to promote stabilization, safety, recovery, and skill development while ensuring adherence to individualized treatment plans. This role supports clients through daily living needs, therapeutic groups, crisis intervention, and continuous monitoring to maintain a safe and therapeutic environment. The BHP serves one or more Acute Care behavioral health programs and Lakeside Recovery.

Compensation and Benefits:

• The starting pay range from $19.16-$22.25 per hour based on experience, licensure and education.
• Full-time and part-time positions open. Shifts are 6:00am – 6:00pm or 6:00pm-6:00am
• PTO, paid holidays, health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, on-site bistro and cafeteria, pharmacy, newly updated facility, life insurance, accident insurance, pet insurance, hospital insurance, employee discounts.
• As a full-time employee of NCHC, you could be eligible for the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS). The WRS is a hybrid defined benefit plan. It contains elements of both a 401(k) or defined contribution plan and a defined benefit plan. Participating staff contribute 6.95% and NCHC will match this at 100% each pay period!

What Qualifies You:

Required:

• Valid Wisconsin driver’s license and use of a personal car.
• Physical ability to participate in restraints of patients when necessary.
• CPR certification, or ability to obtain within 60 days of employment

BHP I:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Four (4) years of experience providing mental health services

BHP II: (Requires ONE of the following)

• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
• Associate’s Degree in Human Services or Substance Use Disorder Counselor (SUDC)

BHP III:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Services or related field

Preferred:

• Experience with direct care in a behavioral health or substance use facility.
• Experience facilitating therapeutic groups and activities.

In evaluating candidates for this position, North Central Health Care may consider a combination of education, training, and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position. 

What a Behavioral Health Professional does at NCHC:

• Provide 1:1 support, therapeutic engagement, coaching, and modeling of positive coping strategies.
• Conduct safety rounds, client observations, and environmental checks to maintain a safe, healing environment.
• Facilitate or support structured groups such as coping skills, social skills, self-care, leisure activities, life skills, wellness, and skill-building.
• Provide assistance with activities of daily living including hygiene support, meal service, nutritional monitoring, and basic care needs.
• Support medication administration/management in alignment with training and program policy.
• Assist with admission, orientation, and discharge processes.
• Utilize verbal de-escalation, CPI techniques, and trauma-informed approaches to prevent or mitigate behavioral escalations.

• Demonstrate comfort and participation in, and utilizes provided training practices and mechanisms at all times in, providing client/patient de-escalation and physical restraint/seclusion measures as needed during behavioral health emergencies within the Acute Care department and other NCHC departments/programs

• Participate in emergency codes and apply least-restrictive interventions, including physical holds or restraints, when trained and when medically/clinically indicated.
• Communicate safety concerns promptly to clinical team members and leadership.
• Document client interactions, services, observations, ADLs, group participation, and medication administration accurately and timely in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR).
• Communicate pertinent information during shift hand-off and to multidisciplinary team members.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and compliant documentation per state, federal, and accreditation standards.
• Perform routine cleaning, laundry, sanitizing, and organization tasks to ensure a safe, clean, and therapeutic unit environment.
• Maintain supply levels, complete refrigerator temperature logs, and manage food inventory and storage.
• Assist with general program operations and other tasks as assigned.
• Participate in treatment planning by providing behavioral observations and client progress updates.
• Work collaboratively with nurses, crisis professionals, therapists, physicians, safety/security staff, and management to ensure consistent, coordinated care.

• Utilizes on-call managers, appropriate chain of command, and NCHC policies and procedures as necessary to ensure quality of client/patient care and effective problem solving

• Engage in ongoing feedback to support quality care and personal professional
• Work in other Acute Care programs beyond the assigned home unit as needed.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Click here to watch the realistic job preview video

About North Central Health Care:

Nestled in the heart of Central Wisconsin, North Central Health Care (NCHC) is a healthcare organization formed over fifty years ago as a partnership between three Central Wisconsin counties - Langlade, Lincoln, and Marathon. NCHC employs approximately 775 professionals in diverse roles across a variety of care and work environments. We provide passionate and high-quality care for individuals and families within the fields of mental health treatment, addiction services, long term care, short term care, physical therapy, crisis stabilization and so much more. We have amazing employees who provide exceptional care and want to add to our team. You can visit our website at www.norcen.org/careers to learn more.

In compliance with the American with Disabilities Act, NCHC will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. North Central Health Care is an Equal Opportunity Employer.