Mental Health Specialist

Children’s Minnesota•Saint Paul, MN

44d•Onsite

About The Position

Children’s Minnesota is a leading pediatric health system dedicated to providing specialized care for children from birth through young adulthood. As a not-for-profit organization with a history dating back to 1924, Children’s Minnesota operates two hospitals, multiple clinics, and rehabilitation sites, serving as the primary pediatric healthcare provider in the Upper Midwest. Recognized as The Kids Experts™, the system is consistently ranked among the top children's hospitals by U.S. News & World Report. Children's Minnesota is also acknowledged for its commitment to diversity and inclusion, being named a Top Diversity Leader by Modern Healthcare. The St. Paul Mental Health Unit is a 22-bed facility catering to children and adolescents aged 6-18 experiencing mental health crises, with an average length of stay of five to seven days. This unit thrives on inter-disciplinary collaboration, involving therapists, nurses, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, creative arts therapists, child life specialists, and mental health specialists, fostering an environment of teamwork, open communication, learning, and professional growth.

Requirements

Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.
Bachelor's degree required.
Education and experience providing gender, culture, and age-appropriate care.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to display a professional attitude in all aspects of performance.
Ability to develop rapport with a wide variety of patients and families.

Nice To Haves

One year of experience working with patients in a pediatric healthcare setting.
Experience working with children with behavioral dysregulation, autism, intellectual or cognitive impairments, or developmental delays.

Responsibilities

Provide direct patient care to children and adolescents with behavioral challenges or mental health diagnoses according to their individual treatment plans.
Assist Registered Nurses in collecting data on patients' physical, psychological, or safety status.
Help patients establish daily therapeutic goals.
Participate in facilitating therapeutic patient groups.
Continuously monitor the department milieu and patient spaces for potential hazards and patient safety concerns.
Utilize a therapeutic approach to assist with de-escalation and implement behavioral modification and management strategies when appropriate.
Float to provide care and support for all mental health patients across the mental health care continuum, including areas outside the inpatient unit within the Children's MN system.