Behavioral Health Specialist

About the role

Under the direction of the Clinical Nurse Manager (Inpatient)/Program Director (Partial) and Unit Charge RN, the Behavioral Health Specialist I provides care and safety to children and adolescents as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team. Employees are expected to role model the organization’s values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence in everyday interactions with patients, customers, and one another. All employees are also expected to demonstrate the Core Success Factors: instill trust, value differences, maintain a patient and community focus, and collaborate.

Responsibilities

• Participate in maintaining a safe and therapeutic environment.
• Actively engage with assigned children throughout each shift.
• Assist in developing and implementing the milieu care plan for assigned patients according to established policies.
• Maintain and document the level of patient observation as ordered by the physician/charge RN each shift.
• Provide support to visiting parents and share information as requested by the treatment team.
• Supervise assigned children in daily routines and assist with activities of daily living and basic hygiene needs.
• Identify, report, and resolve potential or actual problems on the unit.
• Demonstrate appropriate critical incident follow-up by timely verbal reporting to the charge RN and documentation in the medical record.
• Complete required documentation such as incident reports and intakes as applicable.
• Participate in restraint debriefings.
• Carry out daily assignments delegated by the Charge RN and report back prior to change of shift.
• Intervene in disruptive milieu or destructive situations to self or others, providing timely therapeutic interventions.
• Maintain appropriate boundaries and adhere to hospital, departmental, and program policies and procedures.
• Attend peer review and staff meetings as assigned.
• Maintain current certifications in crisis management, CPR, OSHA, ERS, and Safety.
• Attend unit and hospital staff development sessions as assigned.
• Actively participate in the patient care planning process under the direction of the primary/charge RN.
• Support initial therapeutic alliance with patient and family on admission.
• Assist with the separation process and perform other duties to facilitate a smooth transition to the hospital environment.
• Within the 8-hour shift, document objective observations in a shift note and share observations with the assigned RN.
• Review milieu care plans and problem lists daily and suggest revisions based on observations.
• Communicate individual patient milieu care plans to other unit staff and interdisciplinary treatment providers.
• Participate in treatment team discussions, rounds, and hand-off shift reports as assigned.
• Accurately document significant patient/family observations and milieu care in the medical record in a timely fashion.
• Share knowledge and experience with other staff through formal or informal staff development forums.
• Adapt care style to meet the needs of various children and adolescents.
• Support and contribute to the development of care plans and behavioral management strategies.
• Assist and teach patients in activities of daily living and personal hygiene based on patient abilities.
• Co-lead community meetings, milieu meetings, and social skills groups.
• Co-lead other program-specific groups such as activity or recreation groups.
• Demonstrate the ability to set consistent and supportive therapeutic limits within hospital, unit, and department guidelines.
• Follow behavioral programs specific to patient needs in collaboration with the assigned RN and treatment team.
• Organize unit activities and coordinate, supervise, and actively participate in children’s activities such as physical and social development activities.
• Arrange for transportation of materials when required.
• Participate in teaching visits, family, and parent training as assigned.
• Consistently model appropriate and therapeutic interpersonal staff/patient interactions to patients and families.
• Co-lead therapy groups with a clinician.
• Support and actively participate in recreation therapy programs.
• Handle crisis situations safely and effectively using the least restrictive, safe patient care alternatives.
• Take initiative to seek formal supervision and incorporate suggestions for improvement.
• Perform other related duties as required, assigned, or directed by the Charge RN.
• May be asked to perform comparable duties in other clinical settings throughout the hospital system as program needs arise.

Basic Knowledge

• Baccalaureate degree in a human service field preferred; other education and experience may be considered at the discretion of the Hiring Manager.
• Must demonstrate aptitude and willingness to learn role-related skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge and skills necessary to provide care to patients throughout the life span, considering aging processes, human development stages, and cultural patterns.

Safety Care Certification

Employees in this position work in a psychiatric setting under stressful conditions associated with the care of psychiatrically impaired, aggressive, and sometimes self-injurious individuals. Employees are expected to utilize de-escalation techniques taught by Bradley Hospital to minimize the need for physical intervention and remain calm during crisis situations, making quick rational decisions and prioritizing immediate patient care needs. Employees must also be able to participate in the physical management of patients, which can include:

• Lifting up to fifty pounds.
• Reaching with hands and arms; grasping and holding with hands.
• Bending, squatting, and kneeling without limitation.
• Physically holding struggling patients using approved methods to maintain safety for extended periods.
• Occasionally running for short distances and frequently standing, walking, and sitting.

Experience

• Six months to one year of direct childcare work with emotionally impaired youth.

Independent Action

Performs independently within program policies and practices; refers specific complex problems to supervisor where clarification of policies and procedures may be required.

Supervisory Responsibility

None.