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 Instill Trust, Value Differences, Patient and Community Focus, and Collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Maintains the milieu as delegated by the Charge RN and reports any variations immediately.
• Functions independently in demonstrated areas of competence in delivering sophisticated childcare.
• Consistently utilizes safe, effective crisis management techniques.
• Takes initiative to suggest innovative changes and additions that improve the quality of milieu care on the unit.
• Develops a clear understanding of trauma and displays an empathetic, compassionate, nonjudgmental attitude toward children and families.
• Demonstrates outstanding initiative in organizing therapeutic unit activities and supports BHS I in learning how this is accomplished.
• Provides guidance, monitoring, and role modeling to less-senior staff during activities.
• Orients new BHS I in an organized and thorough fashion under the direction of the CNM.
• Reports all peer concerns to Charge RN and/or ANM/CNM immediately.
• Demonstrates consistent ability to assertively and respectfully communicate directly with the appropriate person on issues of concern/conflict.
• May be assigned specialized responsibilities as determined by Charge RN, CNM, or Nursing Director.
• Provides daily feedback to 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.

Employees in this position work in a psychiatric setting under stressful conditions and must build therapeutic rapport to prevent crises. They must utilize de-escalation techniques and remain calm during crises, making quick, rational decisions to maintain a safe therapeutic environment. Physical requirements include the ability to:

• Lift up to fifty pounds.
• Reach, grasp, and hold with hands.
• Bend, squat, and kneel without limitation.
• Physically hold struggling patients using approved methods for extended periods.
• Occasionally run short distances and stand frequently.

Pay

$19.97–$32.96 per hour.

Schedule

• 32 hours per week.
• Evening shift: 2:45 p.m.–11:15 p.m.
• Every other weekend and holiday as assigned.