Behavioral Health Specialist 1

Brown Medicine•Madison, WI

7d•$18 - $30•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the Clinical Nurse Manager (Inpatient) or Program Director (Partial), and the Unit Charge RN, the Behavioral Health Specialist I (BHS I) provides care and promotes safety for children and adolescents as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team. The role contributes to the day-to-day schedule and structure of a therapeutic milieu and implements, observes, and documents the program under the direction of a Registered Nurse. The BHS I helps maintain a safe, therapeutic environment; supports patients and families; contributes to care planning and behavioral management; and leads or co-leads milieu, social skills, activity, recreation, and therapy groups as assigned. The position involves work in a psychiatric setting with stressful situations, including care for individuals who may be aggressive or self-injurious. Staff are expected to use de-escalation techniques and approved methods of physical management to maintain safety. The role may be asked to perform comparable duties in other clinical settings throughout the hospital system as program needs arise. The position is 36 hours per week, with 12-hour day shifts and every-other-weekend and holiday work. It is based at Bradley Hospital in East Providence, Rhode Island. Driving is not required. Pay range: $18.13–$29.90.

Requirements

Six months to one year of direct childcare work with emotionally impaired youth.
Demonstrated aptitude and willingness to learn role-related skills.
Knowledge and skills needed to care for patients across the life span, considering aging processes, human development stages, and cultural patterns.
Ability to remain calm during crises, make quick rational decisions, and prioritize immediate patient-care needs.
Ability to use de-escalation techniques and participate in the physical management of patients using approved methods.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds; reach with hands and arms; grasp and hold with hands; bend, squat, and kneel without limitation; and physically escort potentially combative patients short distances.
Ability to run occasionally for short distances and to stand, walk, and sit frequently.
Current certification in crisis management, CPR, OSHA, ERS, and safety certifications must be maintained.

Nice To Haves

A baccalaureate degree in a human service field is preferred; other education and experience may be considered as substitutes at the Hiring Manager’s discretion.

Responsibilities

Participate in maintaining a safe and therapeutic environment and actively engage with assigned children throughout the shift.
Help develop and operationalize milieu care plans in accordance with department and unit procedures and policies.
Maintain and document patient observation levels as ordered by the physician or Charge RN.
Support visiting parents and provide information as requested by the treatment team.
Supervise children during daily routines and assist with activities of daily living and basic hygiene needs.
Identify, report, and resolve potential or actual problems on the unit; report critical incidents promptly to the Charge RN and document them in the medical record.
Complete applicable documentation, including shift notes, incident reports, intakes, Kardex entries, and medical-record documentation.
Participate in restraint debriefings and carry out delegated assignments, reporting back before the change of shift.
Provide timely therapeutic interventions when children are distressed or the milieu becomes disruptive or destructive, while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
Attend assigned peer-review, staff, unit, hospital, and staff-development meetings.
Maintain current crisis management, CPR, OSHA, ERS, and safety certifications.
Support the patient-care planning process under the direction of the primary or Charge RN, including helping establish a therapeutic alliance and supporting patients’ transition into the hospital environment.
Share objective observations with the assigned RN, review milieu care plans and problem lists daily, and suggest revisions based on observations.
Communicate individual milieu care plans to unit staff and other interdisciplinary treatment providers; participate in treatment-team meetings, rounds, patient-specific discussions, and handoff reports as assigned.
Adapt care approaches to the needs of different children and adolescents and share relevant experience with staff through formal or informal development forums.
Assist and teach patients in activities of daily living and personal hygiene according to their abilities.
Co-lead community, milieu, social skills, activity, recreation, and therapy groups as assigned; organize unit activities and support recreation therapy programs.
Set consistent, supportive therapeutic limits and follow patient-specific behavioral programs in collaboration with the assigned RN and treatment team.
Coordinate, supervise, and participate in children’s physical and social development activities, arranging transportation of materials if required.
Participate in teaching visits and family or parent training as assigned, and model appropriate therapeutic interactions with patients and families.
Handle crises safely and effectively, using the least restrictive safe patient-care alternative.
Seek supervision and incorporate feedback to improve job performance.
Perform other related duties as required, assigned, or directed by the Charge RN, including comparable duties in other clinical settings when program needs arise.