Behavioral Health Specialist II

About the role

The Behavioral Health Specialist II (BHS II) 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 II contributes to the formulation of the day-to-day schedule and structure of a therapeutic milieu, and implements, observes, and documents this program. Employees are expected to role model the organization's values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence, and demonstrate core Success Factors including instilling trust, valuing differences, focusing on patients and the community, and collaborating.

Responsibilities

• In addition to the duties of a Behavioral Health Specialist I:
  • Maintains the milieu as delegated by the Charge RN and reports variations immediately.
  • Functions independently in demonstrated areas of competence in delivering sophisticated childcare.
  • Utilizes safe, effective crisis management techniques consistently.
  • Takes initiative to suggest innovative changes that improve the quality of milieu care.
  • Develops a clear understanding of trauma and displays an empathetic, compassionate, nonjudgmental attitude toward children and families.
  • Organizes therapeutic unit activities and supports BHS I staff in learning these skills.
  • Provides guidance, monitoring, and role modeling to less-senior staff during activities.
  • Orients new BHS I staff in an organized and thorough fashion under the direction of the Clinical Nurse Manager.
  • Reports all peer concerns to the Charge RN and/or Assistant Nurse Manager/Clinical Nurse Manager immediately.
  • Communicates assertively and respectfully on issues of concern or conflict.
  • May be assigned specialized responsibilities as determined by the Charge RN, Clinical Nurse Manager, or Nursing Director.
  • Provides daily feedback to the Charge RN regarding changes in patient behaviors and milieu issues.
  • Demonstrates enhanced clinical expertise.
• May 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.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care to patients throughout the life span, considering aging processes, human development stages, and cultural patterns.
• Six months to one year of direct childcare work with similar populations.
• Current Bradley Hospital Safety Care Certification.
• Current BLS certification.

This position works in a psychiatric setting under stressful conditions. Employees must build therapeutic rapport to prevent crises and use de-escalation techniques to minimize physical intervention. Must remain calm during crises, make quick rational decisions, and prioritize patient care to maintain a safe therapeutic environment. Must be able to:

• Lift up to fifty pounds.
• Reach, grasp, and hold with hands.
• Bend, squat, and kneel without limitation.
• Physically escort patients when needed.
• Occasionally run short distances and stand frequently.

Pay

$19.97–$32.96 per hour.

Schedule

• 36 hours per week.
• Rotating schedule, including every other weekend and holiday as assigned.
• Variable daily hours (8 hours per day).