Behavioral Health Specialist Ii

Under the direction of Clinical Nurse Manager (Inpatient)/Program Director (Partial) and Unit Charge RN the Behavioral Health Specialist II (BHS II) is responsible for providing care and safety to children and adolescents as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team. The BHS II is responsible for input into the formulation of the day-to-day schedule and structure of a therapeutic milieu and the implementation observation and documentation of this program under the direction of a Registered Nurse.

In addition to the duties and responsibilities of a Behavioral Health Specialist I:

Maintains the milieu as delegated by the Charge RN and reports back any variations immediately.

Functions independently in demonstrated areas of competence in the delivery of sophisticated childcare as able.

Consistently utilizes safe effective crisis management techniques.

Consistently takes initiative to suggest innovative changes and additions that improve the quality of milieu care on the unit.

Develops a clear understanding of trauma and displays an empathetic compassionate nonjudgmental attitude toward children and families.

Demonstrates outstanding initiative in organizing therapeutic unit activities and support BHS I in learning how this is accomplished.

Provides guidance monitoring and role modeling to less-senior staff during activities.

Orients new BHS I in an organized and thorough fashion under the direction of the CNM. Reports all peer concerns to charge RN and/or ANM/CNM immediately.

Demonstrates consistent ability to assertively and respectfully communicate directly with appropriate person on issues of concern/conflict.

May be assigned to specialized responsibilities as determined by Charge RN CNM or Nursing Director.

Provides daily feedback to charge RN regarding changes in patient behaviors and milieu issues.

Demonstrates enhanced clinical expertise.

While an individual is hired to work on a particular program they may at times be asked to perform comparable duties in other clinical settings throughout the hospital system as program needs arise.

BASIC KNOWLEDGE:

Baccalaureate Degree in a Human Service field preferred. Other education and experience considered and may be substituted for educational requirements at the discretion of the Hiring Manager. Must demonstrate aptitude and willingness to learn role related skills.

Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care to patients throughout the life span with consideration of aging processes human development stages and cultural patterns in each step of the care process.

Bradley Hospital Safety Care Certification:

Employees in this position work in a psychiatric setting under stressful conditions associated with care of psychiatrically impaired suicidal aggressive and sometimes self-injurious individuals. Employees are expected to build therapeutic rapport to prevent crisis and utilize de-escalation techniques taught by Bradley Hospital to minimize need for physical intervention. Employees in this category must have the ability to remain calm during a crisis as evidenced by the ability to make quick rational decisions and prioritize immediate patient care needs to maintain a safe therapeutic environment.

Employees in this position must also be able to participate in the physical management of patients which can include but is not limited to awareness and demonstration of safe body positioning at all times awareness and coordination to block and deflect possible aggression and the ability to physically hold struggling patients using approved methods only to maintain safety for extended periods of time. Specifically such employees must be able to: lift up to fifty pounds; reach with their hands and arms; grasp and hold with their hands; bend/squat/kneel without limitation and physically escort patients when needed. Position requires occasional running for short distances and frequent standing.

EXPERIENCE/REQURIMENTS:

Six months to one year of direct childcare work with similar populations.

Current Bradley Hospital Safety Care Certification.

Current BLS certification.

INDEPENDENT ACTION:

Performs independently within Program policies and practices. Refers specific complex problems to ANM/CNM where clarification of Program policies and procedures may be required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

None.