Behavioral Health Specialist I PD

Brown Medicine•Madison, WI

2d•$18 - $30•Onsite

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Specialist I (BHS I) provides direct care, safety, and therapeutic support to children and adolescents in inpatient or partial psychiatric programs. Working under the Clinical Nurse Manager, Program Director, and Charge RN, the BHS I helps structure the therapeutic milieu, contributes to daily programming, and documents patient observations under RN supervision. Employees are expected to model Brown University Health’s values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence, and demonstrate collaboration, trust-building, and respect for differences. The role supports a safe therapeutic environment, patient care planning, and behavioral and therapeutic programming. It requires adapting care to patients’ developmental and cultural needs, responding safely to crises, and collaborating with families and interdisciplinary team members. The position works independently within program policies, refers complex issues to supervisors, and has no supervisory responsibilities.

Requirements

6 months to 1 year of direct childcare experience with emotionally impaired youth.
Demonstrated ability and willingness to learn required skills.
Knowledge of lifespan development, cultural considerations, and psychiatric care needs.
Ability to remain calm and make quick decisions during crises.
Skill in de-escalation and, when necessary, approved physical interventions.
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs, block or deflect aggression, hold struggling patients, run short distances, and perform frequent standing, walking, and sitting.
Ability to work independently within program policies and refer complex issues to supervisors.
Ability to maintain current CPR, crisis management, OSHA, ERS, and Safety certifications.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in a human services field; equivalent experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

Engage with assigned children throughout the shift and support daily routines, activities of daily living, and hygiene needs.
Implement and document physician- or RN-ordered observation levels; identify and report safety concerns or unit issues.
Provide timely therapeutic interventions during disruptive or unsafe situations and manage crises using least-restrictive interventions.
Support visiting parents in accordance with treatment team direction and assist with family teaching visits and parent training.
Complete incident reports and intakes, participate in restraint debriefings, follow delegated assignments, and report back before shift change.
Maintain professional boundaries and adhere to hospital, departmental, and program policies.
Attend staff meetings, peer reviews, and required trainings, and maintain required certifications.
Support therapeutic rapport with patients and families during admission; document objective observations in shift notes, the Kardex, and the medical record, and communicate observations to the RN.
Review and suggest updates to milieu care plans and problem lists; share patient information with interdisciplinary team members.
Participate in rounds, treatment team meetings, and handoff reports.
Teach and assist with activities of daily living based on patient abilities, and adapt care approaches to developmental and cultural needs.
Co-lead community meetings, social skills groups, and activity or recreation groups; organize and participate in unit activities and developmental programming.
Set and maintain consistent therapeutic limits and implement individualized behavioral programs with RN and treatment team guidance.
Model appropriate therapeutic interactions with patients and families and co-lead therapy groups with clinicians while supporting recreation therapy programs.
Seek supervision and integrate feedback into practice; perform additional duties as assigned and assist in other programs when needed.