Behavioral Interventionist (Part-Time) - UI Health, General Psychiatric Nursing

Hiring Department: Hospital General Psychiatry Nursing – Adult Psychiatry Inpatient Unit, UI Health, Chicago, IL (on-site). FTE: 0.5 (20 hrs/week).

About UI Health

The University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (UI Health) provides comprehensive care, education, and research to the people of Illinois and beyond. A part of the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), UI Health includes a Joint Commission-accredited tertiary-care hospital, outpatient clinics, the Mile Square Health Center network of federally qualified health centers, and the seven UIC health science colleges: Applied Health Sciences, Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health, and Jane Addams College of Social Work. UI Health is dedicated to the pursuit of health equity.

Responsibilities

• Provide care for patients with mental illness, emotional conditions, and/or developmental disabilities using the Relationship-Based Care model.
• Systematically observe, report, and document subjective and objective baseline data regarding patients’ psychological and behavioral states (affect, thought content, behavior).
• Develop and maintain therapeutic alliances with patients and families; facilitate, lead, or participate in individual or group therapeutic activities and patient groups.
• Coordinate activities with professional staff; plan therapeutic outings, off-unit tests, and procedures; assist patients with activities of daily living.
• Accompany patients to off-unit tests, procedures, and outings as necessary.
• Evaluate the value of activities in improving patients’ mental/emotional state.
• In collaboration with a Registered Nurse, develop, implement, and evaluate patient-specific courses of action (e.g., behavior modification).
• Perform routine physical health measurements (e.g., weight).
• Implement portions of the nursing care program as assigned (e.g., monitor physical/emotional well-being, assess calorie counts for anorexic patients, report to nursing/medical staff).
• Evaluate patient response and modify behavior through interventions outlined by the treatment team.
• Assist with verbal de-escalation, distraction, redirection, seclusion, and restraint of patients exhibiting explosive or aggressive behaviors.
• Participate in patient care conferences, staff meetings, in-service training, orientation of new staff, and continuing education programs.
• Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree with 18 semester hours in one or more behavioral sciences (e.g., psychology, sociology, anthropology, criminal justice, political science, or a closely related field).
• Four years (48 months) of direct patient care experience in a psychiatric or mental health care setting.
• Current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support CPR certification.

Preferred Qualifications

• One to two years of previous hospital experience.
• RQI and CPI certification (or obtained after hire).
• Excellent attendance, interpersonal skills, and work history.

Schedule

3:00 PM – 11:00 PM with rotating weekends; day and evening shifts available.

Pay

$25.26 – $39.08 per hour (commensurate with experience).

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Retirement plan.
• Paid time off.
• Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.