Behavioral Interventionist - UI Health, Adult Psychiatry

University of Illinois Chicago•Chicago, IL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Adult Psychiatry Inpatient Unit at UI Health is seeking a full-time Behavioral Interventionist. Working under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN), the Behavioral Interventionist delivers patient care using the Relationship-Based Care model. The role supports Shared Leadership, Evidence Based Practice, and Magnet’s Five Models of Care while contributing to patient outcomes and unit and organizational goals. Through therapeutic relationships with patients, families, and colleagues, the Behavioral Interventionist serves as an interdisciplinary team member. The position provides care to patients with mental illness, emotional conditions, and/or developmental disabilities. It includes observing and documenting patients’ psychological and behavioral states, developing therapeutic relationships, facilitating individual and group activities, assisting with activities of daily living, and carrying out assigned portions of the nursing care program. The Behavioral Interventionist works in cooperation with an RN and the treatment team to implement and evaluate patient care interventions, monitor patient well-being, and respond to behavioral crises. The position is on-site in Chicago, Illinois. The schedule is 7:00 AM–3:00 PM, with rotating weekends. The stated pay range is $25.26–$39.08 per hour. Illinois residency is required within 180 days of employment. The position is intended to be eligible for health, dental, vision, and life insurance, a retirement plan, paid time off, and tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree with 18 semester hours in one or more behavioral sciences or a closely related field; alternatively, four years (48 months) of direct patient care experience in a psychiatric or mental health care setting.
Illinois residency within 180 days of employment.

Nice To Haves

Previous inpatient psychiatry experience.
CPI certification, or willingness to obtain it once hired.
BLS certification, or willingness to obtain it once hired.

Responsibilities

Provide care for patients with mental illness, emotional conditions, and/or developmental disabilities.
Observe, report, and document subjective and objective baseline information about patients’ psychological and behavioral states.
Develop and maintain therapeutic alliances with patients and their families.
Facilitate, lead, and/or participate in scheduled individual or group therapeutic activities and patient groups, coordinating activities with professional staff and the treatment team.
Plan therapeutic outings and off-unit tests and procedures; assist patients with activities of daily living and accompany them to off-unit tests, procedures, or outings when necessary.
Evaluate the value of activities in relation to improvement in patients’ mental and emotional states.
In cooperation with a Registered Nurse, develop, implement, and evaluate a course of action for each patient, such as behavior modification.
Perform routine measurements of patients’ physical health, such as weight.
Implement assigned portions of the nursing care program, including monitoring patients’ physical and emotional well-being, observing behavior modification, assessing calorie counts when indicated, and reporting to nursing, medical, or treatment staff.
Evaluate patient responses and attempt to modify behavior through interventions outlined by the treatment team.
Assist with verbal de-escalation, distraction, redirection, seclusion, and restraint of patients exhibiting explosive or aggressive behaviors.
Participate in patient care conferences, staff meetings, in-service training, orientation of new staff, and continuing education programs.
Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.