Behavioral Support Specialist

Bowen Health; Warsaw (IN); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Bowen Health seeks a Behavioral Support Specialist to support adult patients in a 24-hour setting. You will advocate, teach, monitor, and model self-sufficiency skills while ensuring patient safety and coordinated care.

Responsibilities include case management, meal assistance, transportation to services, and guiding patients through treatment planning. CPI, CPR, and First Aid certifications are required to maintain safety standards.

Qualifications

• Requires case management and patient advocacy abilities.
• Requires de-escalation and safety skills.
• Ability to transport patients to appointments and accompany community outings.

Responsibilities

• Provide case management and skill-building services to patients.
• Assist patients with identified daily needs.
• Assist with meals and nutrition planning.
• Transport patients to destinations and accompany to community events.
• Ensure patient safety and use de-escalation techniques when needed.
• Maintain CPI, CPR and First Aid certifications.

Skills

Case management

Patient advocacy

De-escalation techniques

Transportation coordination

Education

Associate degree or 60 undergraduate credits, or high school diploma/GED with 5+ years experience

EMT, QMA, CNA or CHW certification

Tools

CPI training

BLS certification

Job description

The Behavioral Support Specialist will work in an intensive program with a very high acuity patient population that requires a specialized skill set. This position provides supervision and assisted care to adult patients in a 24-hour setting. The primary focus is to assist patients through advocating, teaching, demonstrating, monitoring, and/or role modeling new, appropriate skills in self-sufficiency. Behavioral Support Specialists may be responsible for transporting patients to appointments or community events. Clinicians in this position will provide case management and skill building services.

About Transitional Living:

At our Transitional Living Facilities, we're dedicated to providing intensive care to adult individuals with Serious Mental Illnesses (SMIs). Behavioral support specialists provide supervision and assisted care to an adult population with SMIs in a 24-hour setting to foster skill building and increased independence. This requires a specialized skill set including empathy, patience, self-care, and resilience. The position may include meal preparation, transporting patients to services, and providing a safe environment for patients. The position schedule varies and is determined by the administrative supervisor.

Duties/Responsibilities

Below are the primary duties and essential functions of an employee in this position. While not all tasks may be performed by every employee in this role, all employees are expected to perform related tasks as needed. These essential functions must be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Provide case management and skill building services to patients.
• Assist patients with identified daily needs.
• Assist with meals and develop knowledge and skills in nutritional issues, menu planning, food preparation and food safety.
• Transport patients to appropriate destination(s).
• Accompany patients on community outings.
• Ensure patient safety and use approved patient de-escalation techniques when appropriate.
• During an emergency, remain onsite, unless released by a member of leadership.
• Monitor patients and inform clinical staff of observations of patients’ functioning and behaviors, including updating medical staff of any concerns regarding medications.
• Maintain certifications in CPI, CPR and First Aid.
• Develop ability to screen patient telephone calls and determine severity of need.
• Develop knowledge of treatment planning model and philosophy.
• Ensure up to date knowledge of clients’ rights and complaint processes.
• Other duties as assigned

Physical Requirements

• Occupational Exposure Risk Classification: The normal work routine involves minimal exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues.
• The normal work routine has a minimal ergonomic risk for repetitive motion impairment.
• The position may require a minimal amount of physical exertion (bending, lifting, twisting) in the work area.
• The position requires the ability to engage with patients who may become violent and to participate in physical patient holds using approved techniques when necessary.

Required Qualifications:

• Associate degree OR 60 undergraduate credit hours, OR High School Diploma OR GED accepted with a minimum of 5 years of prior experience, OR Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Qualified Medication Aide (QMA), Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) OR Certified Health Worker (CHW) certification.

Experience

• Prefer two (2) years of experience in a mental health setting.

Certificate Or Professional License

• EMT, QMA, CAN, or CHW Certification preferred.
• CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention) - certification must be obtained after hire and prior to providing direct patient care. This certification must be maintained and kept current through employment.
• BLS (Basic Life Support) and First Aid - certification must be obtained after hire and prior to providing direct patient care. This certification must be maintained and kept current through employment.
• Valid driver’s license and active auto insurance coverage.
• Satisfactory results from criminal and driving record background checks
• Must be a minimum 21 years of age.
• Must be a minimum 25 years of age to operate a Bowen vehicle.

Promise of Equal Opportunity and Fostering a Fair and Respectful Workplace:

Bowen Health is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive, diverse and respectful workplace. We comply with all applicable laws, including the ADA and OSHA regulations, and provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities. Safety is a priority for all employees.

Bowen Health prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected statuses. Bowen Health is dedicated to creating opportunities for all employees to thrive and support our mission of compassionate care.