Behavioral Health Specialist - Flex/PRN

Garfieldparkhospital; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Garfieldparkhospital in Chicago is seeking a Mental Health Specialist to provide direct patient care and crisis intervention under the supervision of a registered nurse. The role requires 5+ years of related psychiatric experience and capabilities in therapeutic communication and crisis management.

The ideal candidate will assist patients with daily living activities and monitor their safety at all times. A Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology is preferred, along with relevant certifications and experience in a psychiatric setting.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of related psychiatric experience.
• One-year experience working within the mental health field.
• State of IL EMT & Paramedic Certificate required.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient care under supervision of a registered nurse.
• Respond to code situations and perform crisis intervention techniques.
• Monitor patient safety by performing 15 minute rounds.

Skills

Crisis intervention techniques

Therapeutic communication

Group therapy sessions

Education

High School diploma or GED

Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology

Job description

Responsibilities

Job Summary: The Mental Health Specialist provides direct patient care under the supervision of a registered nurse. Primary responsibilities include the provision of a safe and therapeutic milieu, crisis intervention and activities of daily living.

Garfield Park Behavioral Hospital is dedicated to providing behavioral health and psychiatric support to children and teens ages 3 to 17. Above all else, we treat every patient with compassion and respect. Using evidence-based treatment approaches and individualized care, we strive to instill hope in our patients, their families and our community.

Qualifications

Education: High School diploma or GED required accompanied with 5+ years of related psychiatric experience. Associate’s Degree accepted along with comparable experience.

Experience: One-year experience working within the mental health field, or an equivalent amount of college accredited school work or internship experience.

Licensure/Certification: State of IL EMT & Paramedic Certificate.

Qualifications Desired: Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology or related field strongly preferred.

Qualifications Desired: Experience: One-year of experience working within an inpatient psychiatric hospital with children, adolescents and adults. Prior experience with utilizing crisis intervention verbal and physical techniques. Experience conducting group therapy sessions, performing vital signs and documenting nursing progress notes.

Essential Job Functions

• Perform all crisis intervention techniques (verbal and physical) and respond to code situations.
• Monitor and ensure patient safety at all times via continuous 15 minute rounding.
• Ability to therapeutically communicate with patients.
• Ability to recognize and communicate the physical and psychological status of the patients under their care.
• Assist patient with Activities of Daily Living when necessary.

Nonessential Job Functions

• Maintain a clean work setting and milieu.
• Assist in the transporting of patients to and from the hospital when needed.
• Perform vital signs on patients.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Success Factors/Job Competencies

• Positive therapeutic relationships and interventions with patients.
• Service Excellence with all customers.
• Ability to use least restrictive measures.
• Clear and concise documentation.
• Adherence to Hospital Attendance policies.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Environmental Conditions: Exposure to psychiatric patients who may exhibit violent/aggressive behavior. Potential for exposure to communicable diseases, blood/body fluids and other hazardous waste. General hospital environment.

Physical Demands: Ability to communicate verbally and in writing. Physical agility to manage patients during physical interventions. Push, pull and lift up to 40 pounds. Intermittent sitting; prolonged standing, walking, bending and stooping. Ability to perform visual and auditory observation of patients. Drug and alcohol free as evidenced by negative results of post-offer, pre-employment urine drug screen.