Behavioral Health Specialist I

Brown Medicine•Madison, WI

2d•$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. Employees are expected to model Brown University Health’s values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence, as well as its Success Factors: Instill Trust and Value Differences, Patient and Community Focus, and Collaborate. The BHS I supports patient care planning, behavioral management, daily routines, activities of daily living, hygiene, therapeutic groups, recreation, and family interactions. The position requires maintaining a safe and therapeutic environment, documenting observations and care, communicating with the treatment team, and using de-escalation and approved physical safety techniques when necessary. Work may occasionally be assigned in comparable clinical settings elsewhere in the hospital system as program needs arise. This position is based at Bradley Hospital in East Providence, Rhode Island. It is 32 hours per week, with variable hours on either the 6:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. or 2:00 p.m.–10:30 p.m. shift. Alternating weekends and holidays are required. Driving is required.

Requirements

Demonstrate aptitude and willingness to learn role-related skills.
Demonstrate knowledge and skills for providing care across the life span, considering aging processes, human development stages, and cultural patterns.
Remain calm during crises, make quick rational decisions, and prioritize immediate patient-care needs to maintain a therapeutic and safe environment.
Use de-escalation techniques and participate in the physical management of patients using approved methods.
Be able to lift up to 50 pounds; reach with hands and arms; grasp and hold; bend, squat, and kneel without limitation; and physically escort potentially combative patients short distances.
Be able to run short distances occasionally and stand, walk, and sit frequently.
Maintain current crisis management, CPR, OSHA, ERS, and safety certifications.

Nice To Haves

Baccalaureate degree in a human service field preferred; other education and experience may be considered as substitutes at the Hiring Manager’s discretion.
Six months to one year of direct childcare work with emotionally impaired youth.

Responsibilities

Help maintain a safe, therapeutic environment and actively engage with assigned children throughout the shift.
Participate in developing and implementing milieu care plans and follow department and unit policies and procedures.
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.
Identify, report, and resolve potential or actual unit problems; promptly report critical incidents 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 entries.
Participate in restraint debriefings and carry out assigned duties, reporting back before the change of shift.
Use timely therapeutic interventions when children are distressed or when disruptive or destructive behavior occurs, maintaining appropriate boundaries.
Attend assigned peer reviews, staff meetings, and unit or hospital staff development.
Maintain current crisis management, CPR, OSHA, ERS, and safety certifications.
Support the initial therapeutic alliance with patients and families, assist with admission and separation processes, and help patients transition to 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 patient-specific milieu care plans to unit staff and other interdisciplinary treatment providers.
Participate in treatment team activities, rounds, patient-specific discussions, and hand-off reports as assigned.
Adapt care style to meet the needs of different children and adolescents and share relevant experience with other staff through staff development forums.
Assist and teach patients in daily living and personal hygiene according to their abilities.
Co-lead community, milieu, social skills, activity, recreation, and therapy groups with appropriate staff.
Set consistent, supportive therapeutic limits and follow patient-specific behavioral programs in collaboration with the assigned RN and treatment team.
Organize unit activities and coordinate, supervise, and participate in physical and social development activities; arrange transportation of materials when needed.
Participate in teaching visits and family or parent training as assigned.
Model appropriate therapeutic interactions with patients and families and support recreation therapy programs.
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 assigned or directed by the Charge RN, including comparable duties in other clinical settings when program needs arise.