Behavioral Health Specialist, Float Pool

Expected Starting Salary Range: 19.73 - 24.05

SUBFUNCTION DEFINITION: To coordinate the triage and referral of infants, children and adolescents into appropriate psychiatric, developmental disabilities or other services within a complex medical center and related services/agencies dedicated to the care of infants, adolescents and children.

SCOPE: Care delivery occurs in a team fashion and a BHS's care assignment may reflect a combination of the following: working with multiple patients in a setting based on the therapeutic schedule; may reflect a specific 1:1 patient assignment or may reflect an assignment to a specific location or environment to manage.

REPRESENTATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Milieu Management and Care Delivery

Comprehensive management across all physical locations. Manages milieu utilizing the following components-structure, safety, planning, participation and support. Tasks may include-environmental checks, adhering to treatment schedules, patient safety checks, etc. Prevents and responds to crisis escalations utilizing Therapeutic Crisis Intervention concepts. Able to lead during a behavioral crisis, appropriately deploying interventions based on the stress model of crisis or patient treatment plan. Ensures safe, organized work areas, and treatment schedules are progressing appropriately. Adheres to established policies, procedures and protocols- completing all patient/safety checks, and follows patient observation level protocols. Anticipates, develops and prepares necessary materials for various patient populations. Care assignment may reflect the following- working with multiple patients in a setting based on the therapeutic schedule, a specific 1 on 1 patient assignment or an assignment to a specific location or environment to manage. Demonstrates collaborative efforts with interdisciplinary team and escalates change in patient conditions or any general concerns with RN's/MHF's/Independently Licensed Providers/Management/Etc.

• Plan of Care

Implement/document patient response to individualized care plans, which may include completing behavioral assessments or implementing behavioral/educational protocols. Per care location and patient needs, may provide approved care to patients as delegated, limited to the following-ADL's, (bathing, feeding, toileting, etc.); vital signs including Blood Pressure, Intake and Output, Feeding, Isolation Precautions, Emergency care for patients with lines and tubes, etc. Engage patients families or support system in treatment plan as established in the medical record. Provide updates to parent/guardian regarding patient condition and progress. Demonstrate collaborative efforts with all members of the interdisciplinary team and escalates change in patient conditions or any general concerns with RN's/MHF's/Independently Licensed Providers/Management/Etc. Participate in regular team planning meetings as appropriate or needed. Assist the multidisciplinary team during patient care, and/or parent and staff training related to individual behavioral and education programs, data collection, and environmental modifications to promote patient success. Implement discipline specific interventions after discipline modeling and treatment integrity checks.

• Group Therapy and Clinical Activity

Leads and co leads Psycho Education groups ensuring therapeutic outcome; modifies groups to meet the needs of the patients. Proactively plans and establishes group content and objectives based on patients' needs and in alignment with treatment schedule. May function as a member of the outpatient behavioral intervention program to assess behavioral function and implement behavioral and educational protocols. Implement behavior assessment protocols as designed by psychology staff. Provide insight into antecedent events and consequences that may affect behavioral treatment. Implement individualized and/or group behavior and education intervention plans as prescribed. Utilize safe management and crisis intervention techniques as appropriate. Participate in problem-solving of behavioral-medical treatment options. Participate in team staffing of children.

• Therapeutic Relationships/Communication

Embrace Relationship Based Care. Demonstrate professional boundaries; recognized how personal experiences/personal values may impact therapeutic relationship and communication. Approach patient at their level of functioning, readiness to address issues and recognize the how effects of trauma may impact a patient. Recognize therapeutic relationships are established through a variety care interactions, such as general care environment interactions or during 1 on 1 patient assignments. Demonstrate therapeutic communication, unconditional positive regard and empathy during all interactions with patients/families. Participate in regular team planning meetings as appropriate or needed. Assist the team during parent and staff training related to individual behavioral and education programs, data collection, and environmental modifications to promote patient success. Assist with training of outside school staff, parents, and other community agencies regarding behavioral assessment and treatment of individual children with autism spectrum disorders/developmental disabilities. Participate in multidisciplinary team programming as requested. Assist with creation and management of program materials. Assist with special projects as requested.

• Documentation and Data Management

Completes patient care plan documentation accurately and in a timely fashion as established by the department or patient care needs. Assure seclusions and restraint documentation in a timely fashion represents the patients well-being and is complete and accurate. Collaborates with other care team members to provide support and monitoring for changes in patient status; active role in safe handoff/shift report. Participates in huddles; familiar with and utilizes Situation Awareness concepts as appropriate. Ensure that additional documentation is completed accurately and in a timely fashion; such as environmental checklist or other general aspects of care environment associated with safety or quality assurance. Assist with data collection, data management and graphing of ongoing treatment plans. Update program documents as directed by supervisors to assist with thorough documentation of treatment plans, including behavioral and educational interventions. Assist with thorough documentation of treatment plans, interventions, and outcomes. Assist with data collection, data management, and graphing of ongoing treatment plans.

Qualifications:

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

Required:

• Bachelor's Degree in a related field OR

• High school diploma or equivalent AND 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline

Preferred:

Unique Skills:

Cincinnati Children's is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and treasures Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. We are committed to creating an environment of dignity and respect for all our employees, patients, and families. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, genetic information, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. EEO/AA/M/F/Veteran/Disability