Job Description

ECU Health

About ECU Health

ECU Health is a mission-driven, 1,708-bed academic health care system serving more than 1.4 million people in 29 eastern North Carolina counties. The not-for-profit system is comprised of 13,000 team members, nine hospitals and a physician group that encompasses over 1,100 academic and community providers practicing in over 180 primary and specialty clinics located in more than 130 locations.

The flagship ECU Health Medical Center, a Level I Trauma Center, and ECU Health Maynard Children’s Hospital serve as the primary teaching hospitals for the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. ECU Health and the Brody School of Medicine share a combined academic mission to improve the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina through patient care, education and research.

Position Summary

The Behavioral Health Associate (BHA) provides behavioral health care for patients that is safe, cost-effective, and exemplary of health care quality standards. Under the direct supervision of a nurse, a Behavioral Health Associate participates in patient observation , planning, implementation, and evaluation as a participant in the delivery of behavioral health services. As a member of a team of health care professionals, Behavioral Health Associates provide care that is population specific for patients in his/her assigned unit or clinical setting(s), and grounded in mutually beneficial partnerships with patients and families. Behavioral Health Associates behave in a manner consistent with the ethical standards of all health care professionals. Behavioral Health Associates participate in the provision of behavioral health interventions, goal-directed care planning, and patient education under the supervision of a nurse. Behavioral Health Associates are required to document in the electronic health record factual, accurate, complete, timely, legal information about the care they provide to each patient. The Behavioral Health Associate also serves in the role of the Observer as assigned. The Observer is responsible for monitoring one or more assigned patients on a designated unit for a specified time period. The Observer alerts the patients assigned nurse and/or supervisor if the patient begins to or does exhibit risk of harm himself/herself or others. The Observer may be delegated patient care tasks within his/her scope of practice in addition to monitoring the patient while under the supervision of the nurse.

Minimum Requirements

Current American Heart Association CPR is required.

High School Diploma or GED.

Current American Heart Association CPR or American Heart Association Heartsaver CPR AED.

Active NC Nursing Assistant I certification (if primary employment is ECU Health Medical Center or ECU Health Beaufort).

Non-violent crisis intervention training (NVCI) or other de-escalation program adopted by ECU Health. (If not current at time of hire, must complete within first 90 days of employment and maintain without lapse during employment).


Preferred Requirements

Prefer a minimum of 1 year work experience in a behavioral health inpatient setting or similar. closely related care environment. such as Group Home, Residential Treatment Center and other behavioral health facility.

Associates or baccalaureate degree in human services or behavioral health-related field of study.

Nursing Assistant I certification (if primary employment is ECU Health Beaufort or ECU Health Duplin).

Nursing Assistant II certification.

Other Information

Part time with benefits

Evening Shift - 3p-11p, 8 hour shifts or rotating 7a-7p/7p-7a 12 hour shifts

Rotating weeken shifts

Active/current Nurse Aid Certification is required

General Statement

It is the goal of ECU Health and its entities to employ the most qualified individual who best matches the requirements for the vacant position.

Offers of employment are subject to successful completion of all pre-employment screenings, which may include an occupational health screening, criminal record check, education, reference, and licensure verification.

We value diversity and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Decisions of employment are made based on business needs, job requirements and applicant’s qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, genetic information and testing, family and medical leave, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other status protected by law. We prohibit retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint.

Contact Information

For additional information, please contact:

Tina Roach, BS, Talent Acquisition Consultant

ECU Health Talent Acquisition

Email: [email protected]