In this article, we’ll look at the best practices for onboarding your new Behavioral Health Technician. We’ll look at the employee onboarding process/steps you can add to your own reusable Behavioral Health Technician checklist.
Need help with onboarding new Healthcare team members? See the templates and resources we recommend for successful onboarding experiences.
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Are you looking for help setting up a staff orientation process so that when your new Behavioral Health Technician starts their role, they can learn about their responsibilities and your company as quickly as possible? Whether you’re keen to use buddy onboarding, want to automate your Healthcare onboarding experience or just need an onboarding checklist for your new Behavioral Health Technician, you’re in the right place. We’ve put together a sample Behavioral Health Technician onboarding checklist below and have created onboarding templates & resources to help.
1. Orientation: The new Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) attends a comprehensive orientation program that introduces them to the company’s mission, values, policies, and procedures. This task is typically performed by the Human Resources department or a designated orientation coordinator.
2. Job Shadowing: The BHT is paired with an experienced colleague who guides them through their daily tasks, demonstrating best practices and providing hands-on training. This task is performed by a senior BHT or a designated mentor within the company.
3. Training on Electronic Health Records (EHR): The BHT receives training on the company’s EHR system, learning how to document patient information accurately and efficiently. This task is typically performed by the company’s IT department or a designated EHR trainer.
4. Safety and Emergency Procedures: The BHT undergoes training on safety protocols, including fire safety, emergency response, and infection control measures. This task is performed by the company’s safety officer or a designated trainer.
5. HIPAA Compliance Training: The BHT receives training on the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations to ensure patient confidentiality and privacy. This task is performed by the company’s compliance officer or a designated HIPAA trainer.
6. Introduction to Clinical Team: The BHT is introduced to the clinical team, including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and other healthcare professionals they will be working closely with. This task is typically performed by the BHT’s supervisor or a designated team leader.
7. Familiarization with Facility Layout: The BHT is given a tour of the facility, including patient rooms, therapy rooms, medication rooms, and other relevant areas. This task is performed by a designated staff member, such as a facility manager or a senior BHT.
8. Review of Policies and Procedures: The BHT is provided with a comprehensive review of the company’s policies and procedures, including patient rights, code of conduct, and incident reporting. This task is typically performed by the BHT’s supervisor or a designated compliance officer.
9. Introduction to Documentation Requirements: The BHT is trained on the specific documentation requirements for their role, including progress notes, treatment plans, and incident reports. This task is performed by the BHT’s supervisor or a designated clinical documentation specialist.
10. Introduction to Therapeutic Techniques: The BHT receives training on various therapeutic techniques used in behavioral health settings, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and motivational interviewing. This task is performed by the company’s clinical director or a designated trainer.
11. Medication Administration Training: If the BHT is responsible for administering medications, they undergo training on medication administration protocols, including proper dosage, storage, and documentation. This task is performed by a registered nurse or a designated medication administration trainer.
12. Crisis Intervention Training: The BHT receives training on crisis intervention techniques to effectively manage and de-escalate challenging situations. This task is performed by the company’s crisis intervention team or a designated trainer.
13. Introduction to Electronic Communication Systems: The BHT is trained on the company’s electronic communication systems, such as email, internal messaging platforms, and telehealth platforms if applicable. This task is performed by the company’s IT department or a designated trainer.
14. Review of Ethical Guidelines: The BHT is provided with an overview of ethical guidelines specific to the behavioral health field, including boundaries, dual relationships, and professional conduct. This task is performed by the company’s ethics committee or a designated trainer.
15. Performance Expectations and Evaluation: The BHT is informed about the company’s performance expectations, including productivity targets, attendance policies, and evaluation processes. This task is typically performed by the BHT’s supervisor or a designated performance management specialist.
16. Introduction to Support Services: The BHT is introduced to support services available within the company, such as employee assistance programs, counseling services, and wellness initiatives. This task is performed by the company’s human resources department or a designated employee support specialist.
17. Ongoing Professional Development: The BHT is informed about opportunities for ongoing professional development, such as workshops, conferences, and continuing education programs. This task is typically performed by the company’s training and development department or a designated professional development coordinator.
18. Introduction to Quality Improvement Initiatives: The BHT is provided with an overview of the company’s quality improvement initiatives, including data collection, outcome measures, and performance improvement projects. This task is performed by the company’s quality improvement team or a designated trainer.
19. Introduction to Interdisciplinary Collaboration: The BHT is encouraged to participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and learn about the importance of collaboration with other healthcare professionals. This task is performed by the BHT’s supervisor or a designated team leader.
20. Introduction to Patient Population: The BHT is provided with information about the patient population they will be working with, including common diagnoses, treatment approaches, and cultural considerations. This task is performed by the BHT’s supervisor or a designated clinical educator.
By completing these onboarding tasks, the new Behavioral Health Technician will be equipped with the necessary knowledge, skills, and resources to effectively contribute to their new company in the healthcare industry
From reading through the items in the example Behavioral Health Technician checklist above, you’ll now have an idea of how you can apply best practices to getting your new Behavioral Health Technician up to speed and working well in your Healthcare team. Scroll up to see the link to our onboarding templates & resources or get in touch to discuss getting help setting up your systems and processes in this area.
