Job Description:
PURPOSE OF JOB: The Behavioral Health Security Specialist works under the supervision of Lenape Valley Foundation Crisis Personnel, and provides services for patients, visitors, and staff at the Lenape Valley Crisis Center located at Doylestown Hospital. At all times the Behavioral Health Safety Specialist must display a professional, helpful, and positive demeanor when dealing with internal and external customers.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

-Monitors the therapeutic environment to ensure the safety for patients, employees and visitors by performing safety/contraband/environmental checks.

-Demonstrates competence, as a member of the security response team when responding to agitated / violent behavior of an individual requiring verbal de-escalation and / or physical restraint.

-Monitors patient status by performing continual rounding or patient observations as assigned.

-Inventory patient personal belongings and log and secure valuables.

-Controls access to the Behavioral Health Unit through an admittance process.

-Assures visitors are not introducing contraband / weapons to the unit. Endeavors to develop and to maintain a therapeutic rapport with patients at all times.

-Continually observes patients for early signs of distress and agitation to prevent escalation and uses the proper intervention technique.

-Responds to situations requiring crisis intervention both within the Emergency Room setting of Doylestown Health for Lenape Valley Foundation patients.

-Intervenes to help prevent physical harm to patients, staff and visitors.

-Supports Doylestown Hospital Security in these efforts when called to the Unit.

-Stands by during patient hearings and whenever unexpected or unpleasant information is going to be presented to a patient or family member.

-May call on duty Security staff to support when necessary.

-Assumes responsibility for maintaining a clean and orderly environment.

-May help facilitate patient recreational and therapeutic activities under the direction of the professional licensed staff.

-Demonstrates proper chain of command for work related issues.

-Organizes work time to respond to established priorities.

-Uses time effectively and productively during periods of low department activity.

-Attends department staff meetings a minimum of 50% of the time and trainings relevant to position. Participates in activities which promote personal/professional development with regard to Behavior Health patients and services

-Maintains confidentiality of all materials handled within the Network/ Entity as well as the proper release of information.

-Complies with Network and departmental policies regarding issues of employee, patient and environmental safety and follows appropriate reporting requirements.

-Operational System/Process, and Safety.

OTHER FUNCTIONS :

-Demonstrates appropriate telephone skills.

-Must have basic computer operating skills

-Other related duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS :

-Individual must be able to meet established specific physical requirements of the job; sitting for up to 8 hours per day, 4 hours at a time; standing for up to 8 hours per day, 4 hours at a time; walking up to 8 hours/day, 4 hours at a time.

-Frequent handling and firm gripping in moving equipment.

-Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and walking of objects weighing in excess of 100 pounds with assistance if needed.

-Occasional stooping, bending, crouching, and reaching above shoulder level. Hearing as it relates to normal conversation.

-Seeing as it relates to general vision, color vision, and depth perception.

POTENTIAL ON-THE-JOB RISKS:

-May be exposed to unpredictable, violent behavior, and/or psychological stress.

-Assault and battery-risk minimized by self defense and de-escalation training.

-Punctures and lacerations of the skin exposure to blood and body fluids

-Working in patient care areas; employees may have the potential exposure to patient with suspected or proven tuberculosis.

-Employee must have the ability to wear a particulate respirator and be fit-tested in compliance with current recommendations of the CDC or must provide physician documentation as to the inability to wear particulate respirator.

Job Qualifications:
QUALIFICATIONS:

-Minimum of five years of relevant experience in a healthcare or inpatient psychiatric setting required, or previous law enforcement experience with experience in de-escalation and conflict resolution techniques.

-Minimum of 3 years security operations with exposure to behavioral health population preferred.

-Must possess excellent communication, time management, and interpersonal skills.