Behavioral Health Specialist

Brown Medicine•Madison, WI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Specialist I (BHS I) provides direct care and ensures the safety of children and adolescents as part of an interdisciplinary treatment team in an inpatient or partial program. The BHS I helps create and maintain a structured, therapeutic milieu and carries out daily programming, observation, and documentation under the supervision of a Registered Nurse. All employees are expected to role model the organization’s values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence, as well as core Success Factors including: Instill Trust and Value Differences, Patient and Community Focus, and Collaboration.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a Human Services field preferred; equivalent education and experience may be considered.
Knowledge of child and adolescent development, cultural considerations, and lifespan care.
Willingness and ability to learn role‑related skills.
Six months to one year of direct experience working with emotionally impaired or behaviorally challenged youth.
Ability to remain calm and make safe, rational decisions during crisis situations.
Ability to use approved de‑escalation and physical management techniques when necessary.
Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.
Must be able to stand, walk, sit, bend, squat, kneel, and run short distances.
Must be able to physically escort or assist patients who may become combative.
Maintains required certifications (Crisis Management/Safety Care, CPR, OSHA, ERS, Safety).

Responsibilities

Maintain a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment.
Actively engage and supervise assigned children throughout the shift.
Support activities of daily living, hygiene, routines, and transitions.
Maintain ordered levels of patient observation and document appropriately.
Identify and respond to safety concerns, behavioral crises, or disruptive situations using therapeutic interventions and least restrictive approaches.
Maintain professional boundaries at all times.
Participate in crisis responses, restraint procedures, and debriefings as required.
Provide support and information to families per treatment team direction.
Complete accurate, timely documentation (shift notes, Kardex updates, incident reports, intakes, etc.).
Verbally report critical incidents to the Charge RN.
Share objective observations with assigned RN and treatment team.
Participate in shift reports, treatment team meetings, rounds, and handoffs.
Assist in developing and implementing patient‑specific milieu and behavioral care plans.
Communicate care plans to other staff and interdisciplinary team members.
Co‑lead community meetings, social skills groups, activity groups, recreation therapy, and other program‑specific groups.
Organize and participate in unit activities that support physical, social, and emotional development.
Model appropriate and therapeutic interactions for patients and families.
Assist with family education, teaching visits, and admissions as assigned.
Follow all hospital, department, and program policies and procedures.
Maintain required certifications (Crisis Management/Safety Care, CPR, OSHA, ERS, Safety).
Attend staff meetings, trainings, peer review, and staff development activities.
Seek supervision and incorporate feedback into practice.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
May be asked to work in other comparable clinical settings within the hospital system based on program needs.