Behavioral Health Specialist

About the Role

The Behavioral Health Specialist I (BHS I) provides care and safety to children and adolescents as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team. Under the direction of the Clinical Nurse Manager (Inpatient)/Program Director (Partial) and Unit Charge RN, the BHS I contributes to the day-to-day schedule and structure of a therapeutic milieu, implementing, observing, and documenting the program. Employees are expected to role model the organization's values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence, along with demonstrating core success factors: Instill Trust, Value Differences, Patient and Community Focus, and Collaborate.

Responsibilities

• Participates in maintaining a safe and therapeutic environment.
• Actively engages with assigned children throughout the shift.
• Contributes to the development and operationalization of the milieu care plan for assigned patients according to established department and unit-based procedures/policies.
• Maintains and documents the level of patient observation as ordered by the physician/charge RN each shift.
• Provides support to visiting parents and relays information as requested by the treatment team.
• Supervises assigned children in daily routines and assists with activities of daily living and basic hygiene needs.
• Identifies, reports, and resolves potential problems on the unit.
• Demonstrates appropriate critical incident follow-up skills through timely verbal reporting to the charge RN and documentation in the medical record.
• Completes other documentation (e.g., incident reports, intakes) as applicable.
• Participates in restraint debriefings.
• Carries out daily assignments as delegated by the Charge RN and reports back prior to the end of the shift.
• Intervenes in disruptive milieu or situations where patients may be destructive to self/others, providing timely therapeutic interventions.
• Maintains appropriate boundaries and adheres to Hospital, Departmental, and Program policies and procedures.
• Attends peer review and staff meetings as assigned.
• Maintains current certification in crisis management, CPR, OSHA, ERS, and Safety.
• Attends unit/hospital staff development as assigned.
• Actively participates in the patient care planning process under the direction of the primary/charge RN.
• Supports the initial therapeutic alliance with patients and families on admission and assists with the separation process for a smooth transition to the hospital environment.
• Documents objective observations within a shift note and shares observations with the assigned RN.
• Reviews the milieu care plan and problem list daily, suggesting revisions based on observations.
• Communicates individual patient milieu care plans to other unit staff, including interdisciplinary treatment providers.
• Actively participates in treatment team meetings, rounds, patient-specific discussions, and hand-off shift reports as assigned.
• Accurately documents significant patient/family observations and milieu care in the Kardex and medical records in a timely fashion.
• Shares knowledge and experience with other staff through formal/informal staff development forums.
• Adapts care style to meet the needs of various children and adolescents.
• Supports and contributes to the development of care plans and behavioral management strategies.
• Assists and teaches patients in activities of daily living and personal hygiene based on patient abilities.
• Co-leads community meetings, milieu meetings, social skills groups, and other program-specific groups such as activity or recreation.
• Demonstrates the ability to set consistent and supportive therapeutic limits within hospital, unit, and department standards.
• Follows behavioral programs specific to patient needs in collaboration with the assigned RN and treatment team.
• Organizes unit activities and coordinates, supervises, and participates in children’s physical and social development activities.
• Arranges for transportation of materials if required.
• Participates in teaching visits and family/parent training as assigned.
• Consistently models appropriate and therapeutic interpersonal staff/patient interactions.
• Co-leads therapy groups with a clinician.
• Supports and actively participates in recreation therapy programs.
• Handles crisis situations safely and effectively, utilizing the least restrictive, safe patient care alternative.
• Takes initiative to seek formal supervision, incorporating suggestions for improvement in job performance.
• Performs 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.

Requirements

• Baccalaureate Degree in a Human Service field preferred. Other education and experience may be substituted 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 required for working in a psychiatric setting under stressful conditions.
• 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.
• Ability to participate in the physical management of patients, including lifting up to fifty pounds, reaching, grasping, bending, squatting, kneeling, and physically escorting combative patients for short distances.
• Position requires occasional running for short distances and frequent standing, walking, and sitting.
• 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 a supervisor where clarification of Program policies and procedures may be required.

Pay

$18.13-$29.90 per hour.

Schedule

• 4 shifts week 1, 5 shifts week 2, every other weekend and holiday.
• Night shift.
• 8 hours daily.