Position Summary:

The Behavioral Health Specialist is responsible for:

• Proficiency in therapeutic interactions with mental/behavioral health patients both individually and in group settings.
• Creating and running therapeutic group-based activities for patients. Groups include coping skill education/in-vivo practice and recreation.
• Milieu management: Managing interactions between patients in groups and in the milieu. Monitoring, managing, and documenting individual patient behavior. Assisting with milieu management during periods of heightened activity (transitions between groups, bedtime, BERTs, etc.)
• Support of a safe psychiatric environment through the tasks of wanding, belonging searches, and room searches. Provide education to patients and caregivers on acceptable versus prohibited items.
• Competency in a variety of non-pharmacological de-escalation techniques for use with both individuals and groups.
• Enacting Individual Behavior Plans developed by the care team: educating patients and caregivers on the use of the plan, enacting its requirements, documenting patient adherence, and communicating with other members of the team.
• Working collaboratively with and communicating effectively with the multi-disciplinary team taking care of our patients.
• Fulfilling day-to-day operational tasks on the unit including vital signs, transporting patients to other care areas and managing their behavior while doing so, completing legal and other paperwork with caregivers, assisting patients with ADLs, etc.
• Consistently demonstrating the organization’s core values.

Competencies:

BHS1 Clinical Care Competencies

• Trained across inpatient and Day Hospital services.
• Safely and independently completes group and milieu assignments and assists with other assignments as directed. Skills and knowledge are current and appropriate to the patient population served.

• Demonstrates competence in de-escalation techniques, one on one patient interactions, and group and milieu management.
• Supports data collection regarding targeted behaviors for individual patients.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the basic diagnostic categories (depression, anxiety, ASD, bipolar, developmental delay, etc.) of our patient population and appropriate techniques for interacting with each.

BHS2 Clinical Care Competencies

In addition to the competencies outlined above in BHS1:

• Trained across all levels and areas of care within the JHH CAP umbrella.
• Participates in both the creation and implementation of Individual Behavior Plans. Participates in weekly evaluation and updating of IBPs.
• Safely and independently completes group and milieu assignments and proactively assists others as needed. Skills and knowledge are current and appropriate to the patient population served.
• Acts as a resource and coach to BHS1s and other staff as appropriate.
• Acts as a role model for others, especially regarding professionalism, compassion, attendance, and responsibility.
• Serves in at least one of the following leadership capacities: precepting new staff members; actively serving on or leading a unit committee, or actively contributing to an official unit project.
• Demonstrates mastery of de-escalation techniques, 1:1 interactions with patients in all levels of care, unit policies and procedures, and communication skills across disciplines.
• Works with the interdisciplinary team in designing and implementing appropriate therapeutic activities for high-acuity patients who are unable to participate in the milieu.
• Able to precept in one or more clinical areas
• Can mentor BHS1s under the supervision of a LBHS.

Education:

• BHS1: Associate’s Degree or higher in an allied health discipline including psychology, social work, education, child life, therapeutic recreation, special education, childhood development or in an allied mental health program.
• BHS2: Bachelor’s Degree in an allied health related field; preferred education in psychology, social work, education, child life, therapeutic recreation, special education, childhood development or in an allied mental health program.

Knowledge:

• BHS1: Must possess basic knowledge of social and behavioral science, therapeutic techniques, aseptic technique, and normal childhood development.
• BHS2: Must possess basic knowledge of mental/behavioral health diagnostic categories and appropriate therapeutic techniques for use with those patient populations.

Skills:

• Monitoring, managing, and documenting patient behavior during therapeutic groups
• Managing interactions between patients during group and in the milieu and planning accordingly
• Separating patients when behavior is inappropriate
• Educating patients on expected behavior on unit
• What is ok and not ok to share in groups
• Treating patients, regardless of background or demographics, with dignity and respect
• Managing transitions to groups – transitions are times when aggression and other inappropriate behaviors are more likely
• 1:1 time for patients at bedtime – another time when dysregulation is common

Required Licensure Certification, etc.

• Current BLS certification from AHA, American Red Cross, or Military Training Network.
• Complete initial de-escalation/hands-on training (Safety Care, CPI, etc.) within three months of hire and thereafter maintain yearly recertification.

Work Experience:

• BHS1: Some experience working with children required, in a paid or volunteer capacity. Experience with children with mental/behavioral health issues preferred.
• BHS2: At least six months of work in an acute child/adolescent psychiatric setting. Proficient in BHS1 competencies.

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