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 (BHS 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 and 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 and actively engage with assigned children throughout each shift.
• Assist in developing and operationalizing the milieu care plan for assigned patients according to established department and unit-based procedures and 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 and carry out daily assignments as delegated by the Charge RN, reporting 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 and maintain current certifications in crisis management, CPR, OSHA, ERS, and Safety.
• Participate in unit/hospital staff development as assigned and support the patient care planning process under the direction of the primary/charge RN.
• Work to establish an initial therapeutic alliance with the patient and family on admission; assist with the separation process and perform other duties to facilitate a smooth transition to the hospital environment.
• Within each 8-hour shift, document objective observations in a shift note and share observations with the assigned RN; review the milieu care plan and problem list 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.
• Accurately document significant patient/family observations and milieu care on the Kardex and in the medical record in a timely fashion.
• Share knowledge and experience with colleagues 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; assist and teach patients in activities of daily living and personal hygiene based on patient abilities.
• Co-lead community meetings, milieu meetings, social skills groups, and other program-specific groups such as activity or recreation.
• Demonstrate the ability to set consistent and supportive therapeutic limits within hospital, unit, and department guidelines; follow behavioral programs specific to each patient in collaboration with the assigned RN and treatment team.
• Organize unit activities, coordinate and supervise children’s activities including physical and social development, and 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.
• Co-lead therapy groups with a clinician and support 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. They must:

• Utilize de-escalation techniques taught by Bradley Hospital to minimize the need for physical intervention.
• Maintain the ability to remain calm during crisis situations, make quick rational decisions, and prioritize immediate patient care needs to maintain a therapeutic environment and ensure safety.
• Participate in the physical management of patients, including safe body positioning, blocking and deflecting aggression, and holding struggling patients using approved methods for extended periods.
• Meet physical requirements such as lifting up to fifty pounds; reaching with hands and arms; grasping and holding with hands; bending, squatting, and kneeling without limitation; physically escorting combative patients for short distances; occasional running for short distances; and frequent 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 program policies and procedures may be required.

Supervisory Responsibility

None.