Behavioral Health Clinician - BHCC

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 35,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) seeks a Behavioral Health Clinician II to provide comprehensive support to patients with behavioral health needs across the care continuum. This role emphasizes safety, direct observation, therapeutic interaction, and collaboration with the multidisciplinary team.

Required is a bachelor’s degree in a social or behavioral science field; a master’s degree is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a behavioral health related field required
• Master’s degree preferred
• Two years of behavioral health care experience required

Responsibilities

• Direct observation and safety monitoring per policy
• Manage an assigned caseload per shift
• Conduct comprehensive evaluations with clinical team and document plans
• Respond to escalations using least restrictive, verbal de‑escalation first, then non‑violent intervention if needed
• Maintain a safe environment of care and monitor patients visually
• Collaborate with care team and document observations in patient records
• Lead group therapies and psychoeducation sessions
• Promote coping, structure, and adherence to treatment plans

Skills

EMR Proficiency

Independent Work

Interpersonal Skills

Crisis Management

ICARE values

Education

Bachelor’s Degree (Sociology / Social Work / Psychology /…)

Master’s Degree - Preferred

Job description

United States, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

Sep 23, 2026

SHIFT: Rotating (United States of America)

Seeking Breakthrough Makers

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) offers countless ways to change lives. Our diverse community of more than 20,000 Breakthrough Makers will inspire you to pursue passions, develop expertise, and drive innovation.

At CHOP, your experience is valued; your voice is heard; and your contributions make a difference for patients and families. Join us as we build on our promise to advance pediatric care‑and your career.

CHOP does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, or any other legally protected categories in any employment, training, or vendor decisions or programs. CHOP recognizes the critical importance of a workforce rich in varied backgrounds and experiences and engages in ongoing efforts to achieve that through equally varied and non‑discriminatory means.

A Brief Overview

In collaboration with and under the direction of the multi‑disciplinary Behavioral Health team, the Behavioral Health Clinician II (BHCC) will provide comprehensive & holistic support to patients with Behavioral Health Needs as indicated across the care continuum in the CHOP Enterprise. Ensures the safety of patients at risk of harm to self or others with direct observation, therapeutic interaction, and maintaining a safe environment of care. Effectively partners with patients and families by orienting them to the unit or space, answering questions, gathering clinical information and collateral contacts, providing therapeutic support and psychoeducation. Actively engages with the patients in a therapeutic manner by providing structure/ schedule, providing direct observation, encouraging participation in group, individual, and milieu activities. Develops strong partnerships with all members of the care team with the shared goal to provide excellent, safe, & supportive care to all patients.

The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) standard 55 Pa. Code * 5200.3 requires incumbents to have a bachelor's degree in sociology, social work, psychology, gerontology, anthropology, political science, history, criminal justice, theology, nursing, counseling, or education. Any degrees outside of these fields require a transcript that includes 12 semester hours in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, or another social science.

What you will do

• Direct observation as outlined in the Safety Observation Levels policy (TX-10-01), and informed by patient presentation and clinical judgement of the care team.
• Manage an assigned case load for the shift
• Ability to conduct comprehensive evaluations in collaboration with clinical team as well as thorough documentation to reflect evaluation/intervention/safety planning.
• Responds appropriately and professionally to patient and family escalations by using the least restrictive method of de‑escalation starting with verbal strategies and to physically intervenes using non‑violent crisis intervention techniques to assure patient, family and staff safety only when verbal efforts have been ineffective and/or the safety of the patient or others is at risk.
• Provides and maintains a safe environment of care.
• Visually monitors patient for at‑risk behaviors and implements the interdisciplinary plan of care.
• Obtains information from the clinical record to support patient care
• Documents observations in patient record and communicates relevant information to team members
• Promotes healthy coping via verbal support, implementing structure/schedule, execution of behavior plan developed by therapeutic team, management of the environment, modeling resiliency, providing emotional support and connecting to individual patient
• Redirects patients using appropriate verbal cues according to the plan of care
• Evaluates patient responses to interventions and communicates findings to appropriate team members
• Manages a therapeutic milieu or care environment
• Participates in development of behavior management and mental health care plan
• Encourages and monitors ADLs as a means of reinforcing safety in structured routines
• Performs vital signs after receiving initial training and maintaining competency
• Participates in safe physical transfers and safe patient ambulation through the knowledge and use of body mechanics and gait belts.
• Uses safe and effective oral feeding practices to ensure eating safety
• Provides meal support to individuals or groups including but not limited to creation of a safe space, meal monitoring, meal coaching, and maintaining a safe environment
• Participates with the RN in the application of restraints when required for safety
• Uses knowledge of behavioral health diagnosis/issue to understand the presenting problem and provides therapeutic direction and feedback to the patient.
• Communicates observation data based on the patient's goals and plan of care.
• Responds during a psychiatric emergency using least restrictive measures to assure patient safety
• Is expert in the use of non‑violent crisis prevention techniques
• Maintains therapeutic boundaries
• Provides psychoeducation to patients and families as it related to the patient care plan
• Serves as a Behavioral health expert and advocates for the patient and assists other disciplines as needed for emotionally, mentally, and physically safe interaction
• Perform initial intake and collection of patient history, mental status, and acute need to guide care team in treatment decisions
• Triage patients, obtain and record relevant information to inform and support interactions and treatment by other care team members. Identify and elevate concerns as indicated
• Answer and triage telephone calls appropriately, providing recommendation to caller supporting safety and potential need for immediate care
• Provide coaching, instruction, and orientation to Behavioral Health Clinician I team members to foster continued learning and increased clinical skill
• Lead and facilitate therapeutic groups in all areas of care that align with the organization and team goals for programming and patient outcomes
• Lead and facilitate multi-family psychoeducation sessions and assigned topics to promote family awareness, engagement, and understanding

Education Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree sociology, social work, psychology, gerontology, anthropology, political science, history, criminal justice, theology, nursing, counseling, or education - Required
• Master's Degree - Preferred

Experience Qualifications

• At least two (2) years of work experience providing care and support to patients in a behavioral health setting - Required
• Pediatric behavioral health experience -Preferred

Skills and Abilities

• Proficient with Electronic Medical Record (Required proficiency)
• Ability to work independently and take initiative when necessary (Required proficiency)
• Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills are required. (Required proficiency)
• Ability to maintain composure and respond, not react in crisis situations (Required proficiency)
• Exemplifies ICARE values (Required proficiency)
• Holds team members and self-accountable (Required proficiency)
• Understands and welcomes patients, families, and team members with diverse backgrounds (Required proficiency)

Licenses and Certifications

• Certification in Nonviolent Crisis Intervention - Crisis Prevention Institute - within 3 months - Required and
• Basic Life Support (BLS) - issued through on organization that requires a hands‑on instructor lead psychomotor skills verification (ex. American Heart Association or Red Cross). - within 3 months - Required

To carry out its mission, CHOP employees who work in patient care buildings or who have patient facing responsibilities must receive an annual influenza vaccine. Learn more.

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SALARY RANGE:

$25.50 - $31.85 Hourly

Salary ranges are shown for full‑time jobs. If you're working part‑time, your pay will be adjusted accordingly.

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At CHOP, we are committed to fair and transparent pay practices. Factors such as skills and experience could result in an offer above the salary range noted in this job posting. Click here for more information regarding CHOP's Compensation and Benefits.