Behavioral Health Specialist - FT FEN

Connections Health Solutions•Phoenix, AZ

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Specialist (BHS) helps maintain the safety of individuals and staff in a behavioral health crisis-care setting. The role takes vital signs, supports individuals’ needs while they are on the unit, and provides customer service. The BHS conducts admission security screenings and property inventories, orients individuals to the Observation and Short-term Inpatient Units, and explains patient rights, the grievance process, expectations, and facility rules. The BHS uses therapeutic de-escalation techniques with individuals who become escalated and performs restraints or seclusions when needed to protect safety. The role includes Q15 monitoring and documentation, including one-to-one observation of individuals in seclusion or mechanical restraints. The BHS assists with activities of daily living, obtains and reports vital signs, conducts and documents blood alcohol level (BAL), urine drug, and urine pregnancy tests, and records services and significant interactions in the Electronic Health Record. Other duties include attending court-ordered hearings when subpoenaed and providing testimony when required; maintaining cleanliness of the facility and assigned unit; performing light cleaning, collecting soiled linen, and laundering individuals’ clothing when needed; and completing other assigned duties. The position requires physical interventions and may involve working with individuals displaying agitation, aggression, or unpredictable behavior. The company requires employees to be fully vaccinated, with documentation, or approved for an exemption before their start date.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
At least one year of experience in behavioral health, social services, or a related field.
Ability to perform Safe Clinch patient restraint techniques.
Ability to safely perform physical interventions, including standing, pivoting, reaching, kneeling, lowering to the floor, and supporting another person’s weight.
Ability to lift, push, pull, or carry up to 50 pounds occasionally.
Ability to tolerate prolonged walking, standing, and observation in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to work with individuals who may exhibit agitation, aggression, or unpredictable behavior.
Must be fully vaccinated with proper documentation or qualify for and receive an exemption through the company’s exemption process before the start date.
Willingness to attend court-ordered hearings when subpoenaed and provide testimony when required.

Nice To Haves

Certified training such as Safe Clinch, CPR/First Aid, or therapeutic options.
Completion of a CNA or Patient Care Tech program.
Two years of experience in behavioral health.
Completion of BHT certification.

Responsibilities

Manage and maintain the safety of individuals and staff.
Take individuals’ vital signs and assist them with their needs while on the unit, providing exceptional customer service.
Conduct admission security screenings and inventory individuals’ property.
Orient individuals to the Observation Unit and Short-term Inpatient Unit; explain patient rights under ADHS regulations, the grievance process, expectations, rules, and regulations.
Use therapeutic techniques to de-escalate escalated individuals and perform restraints or seclusions when needed for safety.
Complete Q15 one-to-one observation of individuals in seclusion or mechanical restraints, and monitor and document patients Q15.
Lift, move, and transport individuals using proper body mechanics or lifting devices.
Assist individuals with activities of daily living, including eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, and transferring.
Conduct and document vital signs and report questionable results to the attending RN or physician.
Conduct and document BAL, urine drug screens, and urine pregnancy tests.
Attend court-ordered hearings when subpoenaed and provide testimony when required.
Document services provided and significant individual interactions in the Electronic Health Record.
Maintain the cleanliness of the facility and assigned unit; perform light cleaning, collect soiled linen, and launder individuals’ clothing when needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance for employees and their families (full-time employees).
Company-paid Basic Life, AD&D, and short- and long-term disability coverage (full-time employees).
Voluntary life insurance option for employees and their families.
Health Savings Accounts with a $1,000–$2,000 employer contribution depending on the plan.
Flexible Spending Accounts for health care and dependent care.
401(k) company match after six months: 50% of deferrals up to 6% of compensation (full-time employees).
160 hours of PTO accrued annually and 12 recognized company holidays (full-time employees).
Company-paid parental leave for eligible employees.
Employee Assistance Program for confidential emotional support, work-life solutions, financial solutions, legal assistance, or online support (all employees).
Automatic enrollment in the 401(k) plan after 90 days (all employees).
Hourly shift differentials: $2 per hour for Monday–Thursday nights, $3 per hour for Friday–Sunday nights, and $2 per hour for Saturday–Sunday days.