Behavioral Health Clinician II
About The Position
The Behavioral Health Clinician II (BHCC) works in collaboration with and under the direction of the multidisciplinary Behavioral Health team to provide comprehensive, holistic support to patients with behavioral health needs across the CHOP Enterprise care continuum. The role supports patient safety through direct observation, therapeutic interaction, and maintenance of a safe care environment, while partnering with patients and families through orientation, information gathering, therapeutic support, and psychoeducation. The clinician engages patients in structured therapeutic activities and collaborates with the broader care team to provide safe, supportive care. The position requires a bachelor's degree in a specified social science, behavioral health, or related field. A degree outside the listed fields requires a transcript showing 12 semester hours in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, or another social science. A master's degree and pediatric behavioral health experience are preferred. The clinician must have at least two years of experience supporting patients in a behavioral health setting and obtain Nonviolent Crisis Intervention certification and Basic Life Support certification within three months. Patient-facing employees are required to receive an annual influenza vaccine.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in sociology, social work, psychology, gerontology, anthropology, political science, history, criminal justice, theology, nursing, counseling, or education; a degree outside these fields requires a transcript showing 12 semester hours in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, or another social science.
- At least two years of work experience providing care and support to patients in a behavioral health setting.
- Proficiency with electronic medical records.
- Ability to work independently and take initiative when necessary.
- Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
- Ability to maintain composure and respond rather than react in crisis situations.
- Exemplifies ICARE values and holds self and team members accountable.
- Ability to welcome and work with patients, families, and team members from diverse backgrounds.
- Nonviolent Crisis Intervention certification through the Crisis Prevention Institute, required within three months.
- Basic Life Support certification issued by an organization requiring hands-on instructor-led psychomotor skills verification, such as the American Heart Association or Red Cross, required within three months.
- Annual influenza vaccination is a condition of employment for employees working in patient care buildings or with patient-facing responsibilities.
Nice To Haves
- Master's degree.
- Pediatric behavioral health experience.
Responsibilities
- Conduct direct observation according to the Safety Observation Levels policy, patient presentation, and clinical team judgment.
- Manage an assigned caseload during the shift.
- Conduct comprehensive evaluations with the clinical team and document evaluations, interventions, and safety planning.
- Respond professionally to patient and family escalations using the least restrictive de-escalation methods; use nonviolent crisis intervention techniques only when verbal efforts are ineffective or safety is at risk.
- Provide and maintain a safe care environment; monitor patients for at-risk behaviors and implement the interdisciplinary plan of care.
- Review clinical records, document observations, and communicate relevant information to team members.
- Promote healthy coping through verbal support, structure and schedules, behavior plans, environmental management, role modeling, emotional support, and individualized engagement.
- Redirect patients according to their plan of care, evaluate responses to interventions, and report findings to appropriate team members.
- Manage a therapeutic milieu or care environment and participate in developing behavior management and mental health care plans.
- Encourage and monitor activities of daily living as part of safe, structured routines.
- Perform vital signs after initial training and while maintaining competency.
- Assist with safe physical transfers and ambulation using proper body mechanics and gait belts.
- Use safe oral feeding practices and provide meal support, including creating a safe space, monitoring, coaching, and maintaining a safe environment.
- Participate with the RN in applying restraints when required for safety.
- Apply knowledge of behavioral health diagnoses and issues to understand presenting problems and provide therapeutic direction and feedback.
- Respond to psychiatric emergencies using least restrictive measures and maintain therapeutic boundaries.
- Provide psychoeducation to patients and families related to the care plan; advocate for patients and support safe interactions across disciplines.
- Perform initial intake and collect patient history, mental status, and acute needs to inform treatment decisions.
- Triage patients, obtain and record relevant information, support care team interactions and treatment, and escalate concerns as indicated.
- Answer and triage telephone calls, providing recommendations that support safety and address potential immediate care needs.
- Coach, instruct, and orient Behavioral Health Clinician I team members.
- Lead and facilitate therapeutic groups aligned with organizational and team goals for programming and patient outcomes.
- Lead and facilitate multi-family psychoeducation sessions and assigned topics to promote family awareness, engagement, and understanding.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
