PRN Behavioral Health Specialist

Banner Health•Sun City West, AZ

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The PRN Behavioral Health Specialist provides direct care to psychiatric patients under the direction of a registered nurse, with a dedicated assignment to the SAGE unit and work across its three units. The role focuses on safety checks, assistance with activities of daily living, milieu management, falls-prevention measures, and one-to-one observations. The position works under moderate supervision and interacts with clinical staff, multidisciplinary teams, patients, families, and medical and psychiatric physicians. Banner Staffing Services offers registry employment through Banner Health. Registry positions do not guarantee hours and do not include a medical benefits package. The position offers self-scheduling for shift and weekend coverage and an additional $1 per hour weekend shift differential. Although BSS requires no more than two shifts per month, unit leaders hope to find candidates interested in working three 12-hour shifts per week. Day and night schedules are available. No holidays or weekends are required, though candidates may fill those coverage needs. AVADE and BLS certification are noted for the role; BLS certification is required. BSS employment requires completion of a post-offer occupational health physical assessment, drug screen, and background check, including employment, criminal, and education checks. Employees in BSS Behavioral Health roles in Arizona must hold and maintain a State of Arizona Department of Public Safety Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a behavioral health-related field, or a high school diploma or equivalent plus one year of direct patient care in an inpatient behavioral health setting.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
State of Arizona Department of Public Safety Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card at hire, maintained throughout employment for employees in BSS Behavioral Health roles in Arizona.
Meet the age requirement specified by the state agency.
Complete a post-offer occupational health physical assessment, drug screen, and background check, including employment, criminal, and education checks.
Relevant experience should demonstrate competence in therapeutic rapport, collaborative work with multidisciplinary teams, de-escalation techniques, and limit setting.

Nice To Haves

Previous nursing assistant or Behavioral Health Specialist experience.
Additional related education and/or experience.
AVADE certification.

Responsibilities

Provide basic nursing care, including technical monitoring, taking vital signs, and physical care.
Orient patients to the treatment setting and assist with activities of daily living as needed.
Review and participate in implementation of patient treatment plans.
Make rounds; monitor patients’ activities and physical and mental status; and report observations to nursing staff.
Check patient belongings for contraband and conduct safety monitoring, including observational checks.
Document observations, interventions, and group activities in the patient medical record while maintaining confidentiality of health information.
Help maintain a safe, orderly, and therapeutic environment and protect patient safety and rights through observation and reporting.
Recognize aggressive behavior, danger to self or others, crisis situations, and medical emergencies; intervene by redirecting patients and participating in restraint or seclusion when needed.
Interact therapeutically with patients and families, promoting dignity, independence, individuality, strengths, privacy, and choice while respecting cultural diversity and patient boundaries.
Plan and facilitate social and didactic group activities and potentially participate in other rehabilitation and treatment programs.
Maintain knowledge and skills related to behavioral disorder symptoms and treatment, state agency regulations, commonly prescribed medications, and their common side effects and adverse reactions.
Assist with patient admissions, discharges, and transfers, and complete required medical-record documentation.
Perform safety checks, assist with activities of daily living, support milieu management and falls prevention, and provide one-to-one observations.