Behavioral Health Specialist - Full time - PM (3pm - 11:30pm)

UHS • Chicago, IL

13d • Onsite

About The Position

Garfield Park Behavioral Health Hospital provides psychiatric healthcare services to patients, families, and the community, with a commitment to restoring patients’ emotional well-being and providing resources for their future. The Mental Health Specialist provides direct patient care under the supervision of a registered nurse, supporting a safe and therapeutic milieu, crisis intervention, and activities of daily living. The role serves children, adolescents, and adults, and may involve reassignment among units caring for these populations.

This position is scheduled for the PM shift, 3:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. The job classification is non-exempt, and the posting notes that hours may vary based on staffing needs, including day, evening, night, and weekend shifts. The position has no supervisory responsibilities and offers a line of promotion to Program Specialist. Employees receive ongoing supervisor support, a 90-day performance evaluation, and an annual performance appraisal. The hospital describes the role as an opportunity to improve the lives of youth and offers competitive wages, shift differentials, career advancement and mobility, an engaged leadership team committed to patient and staff safety, and a competitive benefits package.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED and 5 or more years of related psychiatric experience; an associate degree is accepted along with comparable experience.
• One year of experience working in the mental health field, or an equivalent amount of accredited college coursework or internship experience.
• Ability to perform verbal and physical crisis intervention techniques and respond to code situations.
• Ability to maintain patient safety through continuous Q15-minute rounding.
• Ability to communicate therapeutically with patients and recognize and communicate their physical and psychological status.
• Ability to assist patients with activities of daily living.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.
• Physical agility to manage patients during physical interventions; ability to push, pull, and lift up to 40 pounds; and ability to sit intermittently and stand, walk, bend, and stoop for prolonged periods.
• Ability to perform visual and auditory observation of patients.
• Must have negative results on a post-offer, pre-employment urine drug screen.
• Must demonstrate competency in the stated job criteria and flexibility to work with varied patient populations.
• Ability to adhere to hospital attendance policies and provide clear, concise documentation.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field is strongly preferred.
• State of Illinois EMT and Paramedic Certificate.
• One year of experience in an inpatient psychiatric hospital serving children, adolescents, and adults.
• Prior experience using verbal and physical crisis intervention techniques.
• Experience conducting group therapy sessions, performing vital signs, and documenting nursing progress notes.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient care under the supervision of a registered nurse.
• Maintain a safe and therapeutic patient milieu.
• Perform verbal and physical crisis intervention techniques and respond to code situations.
• Monitor patient safety through continuous Q15-minute rounding.
• Communicate therapeutically with patients.
• Recognize and communicate patients’ physical and psychological status.
• Assist patients with activities of daily living when necessary.
• Maintain a clean work setting and milieu.
• Assist with transporting patients to and from the hospital when needed.
• Perform patient vital signs.
• Document nursing progress notes, as indicated in the desired experience.
• Conduct group therapy sessions, as indicated in the desired experience.
• Perform other duties as assigned or requested by the Charge Nurse, Nurse Manager, or Program Specialist.
• Demonstrate flexibility for reassignment to units serving children, adolescents, and adults.

Benefits

• Competitive wages and shift differentials.
• Career advancement and mobility.
• An engaged leadership team committed to patient and staff safety.
• Competitive benefits packages, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k) company matching, tuition reimbursement, and UHS employee discounts.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED