Behavioral Health Specialist 1
About The Position
The Behavioral Health Specialist I (BHS I) provides direct care, supervision, and therapeutic support to children and adolescents in an inpatient or partial‑hospitalization psychiatric setting. Working under the direction of the Clinical Nurse Manager, Program Director, and Charge RN, the BHS I helps maintain a safe, structured, and developmentally appropriate therapeutic milieu while supporting the interdisciplinary treatment team. Employees are expected to model organizational values—Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Excellence—and demonstrate key success factors including Instilling Trust, Valuing Differences, Patient & Community Focus, and Collaboration.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in a Human Services field preferred. Equivalent education/experience may be considered.
- Ability to care for patients across developmental stages and cultural backgrounds.
- Willingness and aptitude to learn role-specific skills.
- Ability to remain calm and make rational decisions during crises.
- Competence in de-escalation techniques and safe physical intervention.
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs, run short distances, stand/walk frequently.
- Ability to block/deflect aggression and physically hold struggling patients using approved methods.
- Ability to bend, squat, kneel, grasp, and escort combative patients safely.
- 6–12 months of direct childcare experience with emotionally impaired youth.
- Works independently within program guidelines.
- No supervisory responsibilities.
Responsibilities
- Maintain a safe, therapeutic environment and actively engage with assigned children throughout the shift.
- Implement and document patient observation levels as ordered.
- Assist with activities of daily living, hygiene, and routine supervision.
- Provide support and information to parents/guardians as directed by the treatment team.
- Identify and report safety concerns; complete incident reports and documentation.
- Participate in crisis intervention, restraint debriefings, and follow-up procedures.
- Intervene therapeutically during disruptive or unsafe behaviors while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
- Adhere to all hospital, departmental, and program policies.
- Maintain required certifications: crisis management, CPR, OSHA, ERS, Safety.
- Attend staff meetings, peer reviews, and required trainings.
- Support the therapeutic alliance with patients and families during admission and throughout treatment.
- Document objective observations each shift and communicate them to the RN.
- Review and contribute to milieu care plans daily.
- Participate in treatment team meetings, rounds, and handoff reports.
- Accurately document significant observations in the medical record and Kardex.
- Share knowledge with peers and adapt care approaches to individual developmental needs.
- Assist patients with ADLs and personal hygiene based on developmental ability.
- Co-lead community meetings, social skills groups, recreation groups, and other program-specific activities.
- Implement behavioral management plans and set consistent therapeutic limits.
- Organize and supervise unit activities, including physical and social development tasks.
- Participate in family teaching visits and parent training as assigned.
- Model appropriate interpersonal interactions for patients and families.
- Support recreation therapy and manage crises using least-restrictive interventions.
- May be assigned to comparable duties in other clinical programs within the hospital as needed.
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Entry Level
