Behavioral Health Specialist

Located in Nashville, Tennessee, Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) operates at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery, and patient care. VUMC is a community where expertise is valued, knowledge is expanded, and abilities are challenged. Vanderbilt Health is committed to an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and where uniqueness is celebrated.

About the Role

Performs duties of patient care necessary to implement individual treatment under the supervision of a Registered Nurse. Provides psychological, emotional, and physical care and support required by each patient. Assists in maintaining the therapeutic environment of the clinical program with minimal guidance.

Responsibilities

• Performs clinical care consistent with the patient's treatment plan, including but not limited to vital signs, phlebotomy, specimen collection, and point-of-care testing as directed by unit standards.
• Collects data to contribute to the assessment of individual strengths and limitations.
• Independently assists patients with showering, oral hygiene, laundry, and other activities of daily living.
• Provides input to the patient’s assigned nurse and other healthcare professionals regarding patient’s progress toward treatment goals.
• Promotes and maintains a safe environment conducive to healing and health promotion.
• Provides effective and therapeutic limit-setting with patients with direction from other staff.
• Assures orientation of newly admitted patients to the program and establishes a therapeutic relationship with them.
• Provides immediate feedback to the charge nurse about any safety concerns on the unit and offers potential solutions.
• Independently leads coping skills groups with patients.

The responsibilities listed are a general overview of the position, and additional duties may be assigned.

Technical Capabilities

• Facilitation of Positive Coping Strategies (Intermediate): Demonstrates mastery in practical applications. Possesses sufficient knowledge, training, and experience to deliver services without support. Able to train and educate others.
• Human Growth & Development (Intermediate): Demonstrates mastery in practical applications. Possesses sufficient knowledge, training, and experience to deliver services without support. Able to train and educate others.
• Patient Documentation (Intermediate): Demonstrates mastery in practical applications. Possesses sufficient knowledge, training, and experience to deliver services without support. Able to train and educate others.
• Communication (Intermediate): Clearly, effectively, and respectfully communicates with employees or customers.

Core Accountabilities

• Organizational Impact: Performs tasks that are typically routine and may impact team performance with occasional guidance.
• Problem Solving/Complexity of Work: Utilizes discretion and research to solve routine problems.
• Breadth of Knowledge: Applies knowledge of standards, established processes, and procedures relevant to the role.
• Team Interaction: Provides guidance to entry-level co-workers.

Core Capabilities

• Supporting Colleagues:
  • Develops Self and Others: Continuously improves own skills by identifying development opportunities.
  • Builds and Maintains Relationships: Seeks to understand colleagues' priorities and working styles.
  • Communicates Effectively: Openly shares information and communicates clearly and courteously.
• Delivering Excellent Services:
  • Serves Others with Compassion: Invests time to understand problems and needs of others.
  • Solves Complex Problems: Seeks to understand issues and solves routine problems.
  • Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Listens carefully and provides accurate information.
• Ensuring High Quality:
  • Performs Excellent Work: Checks work quality before delivery and asks relevant questions.
  • Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Demonstrates basic knowledge of safety conditions and reports unsafe conditions.
• Managing Resources Effectively:
  • Demonstrates Accountability: Takes responsibility for assigned activities and thinks beyond standard approaches.
  • Stewards Organizational Resources: Displays understanding of how personal actions impact resources.
  • Makes Data-Driven Decisions: Uses accurate information for decision-making to achieve results.
• Fostering Innovation:
  • Generates New Ideas: Proposes or accepts ideas that impact day-to-day operations.
  • Applies Technology: Quickly absorbs new technology and understands appropriate tools.
  • Adapts to Change: Embraces changes and incorporates them into work.

Qualifications

• Education: Graduate of an approved discipline-specific program.
• Experience: 2 years of relevant work experience.

Benefits

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within Vanderbilt Health, supported by a comprehensive benefits package which may include health, disability, retirement, and/or wellness offerings to enhance well-being and professional growth.