Behavioral Health Clinician II

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia•Philadelphia, PA

6d•$26 - $32

About The Position

In collaboration with and under the direction of the multidisciplinary Behavioral Health team, the Behavioral Health Clinician II provides comprehensive, holistic support to patients with behavioral health needs across the CHOP Enterprise care continuum. The clinician helps ensure the safety of patients at risk of harm to themselves or others through direct observation, therapeutic interaction, and maintaining a safe environment of care. The role partners with patients and families by orienting them to the unit or care space, answering questions, gathering clinical information and collateral contacts, and providing therapeutic support and psychoeducation. The clinician engages patients therapeutically through structure and schedules, direct observation, and encouragement to participate in group, individual, and milieu activities, while partnering with the care team to provide excellent, safe, and supportive care. The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) standard 55 Pa. Code § 5200.3 requires a bachelor's degree in sociology, social work, psychology, gerontology, anthropology, political science, history, criminal justice, theology, nursing, counseling, or education. Degrees in other fields require a transcript showing 12 semester hours in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, or another social science. Employment is conditional on an annual influenza vaccine for employees who work in patient care buildings or have patient-facing responsibilities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in sociology, social work, psychology, gerontology, anthropology, political science, history, criminal justice, theology, nursing, counseling, or education; for a degree outside these fields, a transcript must include 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 understand patients, families, and team members from diverse backgrounds.
Certification in Nonviolent Crisis Intervention from the Crisis Prevention Institute within three months of employment.
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), within three months of employment.
Annual influenza vaccination required for employees working in patient care buildings or with patient-facing responsibilities.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Pediatric behavioral health experience.

Responsibilities

Provide direct observation according to the Safety Observation Levels policy and the patient’s presentation and the care team’s clinical judgment.
Manage an assigned caseload during the shift.
Conduct comprehensive evaluations in collaboration with the clinical team and document evaluations, interventions, and safety planning thoroughly.
Respond professionally to patient and family escalations using the least restrictive de-escalation methods, including verbal strategies and, only when necessary for safety, nonviolent crisis intervention techniques.
Provide and maintain a safe environment of care; visually monitor patients for at-risk behaviors and implement the interdisciplinary plan of care.
Review the clinical record to obtain information that supports patient care.
Document observations in patient records and communicate relevant information and observation data to care team members.
Promote healthy coping through verbal support, structure and schedules, behavior plans, environmental management, modeling resiliency, emotional support, and individualized connection.
Redirect patients using appropriate verbal cues in accordance with the plan of care, evaluate responses to interventions, and communicate 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 maintain competency.
Support safe physical transfers and ambulation using appropriate body mechanics and gait belts.
Use safe and effective oral feeding practices and provide meal support, including creating a safe space, monitoring and coaching during meals, 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 the least restrictive measures needed to assure patient safety and maintain therapeutic boundaries.
Provide psychoeducation to patients and families related to the patient care plan.
Serve as a behavioral health expert and patient advocate, assisting other disciplines with emotionally, mentally, and physically safe interactions.
Perform initial intake and collect patient history, mental status, and acute needs to guide treatment decisions.
Triage patients; obtain and record relevant information to support care team interactions and treatment; identify and escalate concerns as indicated.
Answer and triage telephone calls appropriately and provide recommendations that support caller safety and address potential immediate care needs.
Coach, instruct, and orient Behavioral Health Clinician I team members to foster learning and clinical skill development.
Lead and facilitate therapeutic groups across care areas in alignment with organizational and team programming goals and patient outcomes.
Lead and facilitate assigned multi-family psychoeducation sessions and topics to promote family awareness, engagement, and understanding.