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Vanderbilt Health in Nashville seeks an experienced pediatric behavioral health crisis specialist to join a multi-disciplinary team within a hospital setting. The role focuses on crisis intervention, prevention and care coordination for patients admitted to inpatient units and the Pediatric Emergency Department.
You will respond to behavioral events, educate families and care teams, document care and participate in ongoing quality improvement. Shift: 7pm–7am, 36 hours a week.
With eight hospitals and over 180 clinics, we are the region’s largest comprehensive academic health system. Vanderbilt Health has a long tradition of providing world‑class care to the people of the Mid‑South, living out our mission of moving medicine forward through preeminent programs in patient care, education and research. Here you’ll find a spirit of collaboration and a supportive community where your expertise is valued, your knowledge expanded and your uniqueness celebrated. We are committed to fostering an environment where talented, compassionate people are united in bringing the most advanced care to our neighbors throughout the region. Organization: MCJCHV 12C Cohort 10
Job Summary: This full‑time position works directly with children and youth as part of a small team of multi‑disciplinary professionals providing acute behavioral crisis support in a medical hospital setting. The role focuses on crisis intervention, prevention, and behavioral health support for patients admitted to inpatient units and those receiving care in the Pediatric Emergency Department. The specialist will respond to behavioral events throughout their shift, working with patients who exhibit behavioral challenges, have mental health diagnoses, or experience difficulties adhering to medical care. When not actively responding to crises, the specialist will collaborate with the team to identify patients at risk for behavioral events and provide proactive support to patients, families, and staff to prevent crises. Successful candidates will demonstrate the ability to learn and implement intervention techniques, respond to feedback, work professionally with families and team members, communicate effectively in written, electronic, and verbal formats, and manage time efficiently to meet all responsibilities. Applies the nursing process to plan and implement the care of patients, including patient and family education and continuum of care planning. Effectively communicates pertinent patient/family information to the health care team. Collaborates in establishing patient goals and evaluates progress to ensure effective outcomes. Furthers professional growth by engaging in learning activities according to the Board of Nursing standards. Shift: 7pm-7am 36 hours a week
Completion of Marcus crisis prevention training program within orientation.
Key Responsibilities Provide direct patient care, including assessment, management, and treatment planning for patients with behavioral and mental health needs by responding to behavioral crisis events. Lead crisis response effort debriefs following behavioral emergencies. Additional responsibilities: Provide direct patient care, including assessment, management, and treatment planning for patients with behavioral and mental health needs through proactive rounding on behavioral health patients. Provide education and support to care teams regarding behavioral health diagnoses and interventions.
Practice (Caring for the Patient) Knowledge of normal and abnormal growth and development across the age continuum. Familiarity with assessment, management, and treatment of behavioral health patients. Knowledge with crisis management and de‑escalation strategies. Collaborate with medical teams to ensure stabilization and treatment according to scope of practice and training. Incorporate cultural sensitivity and language preferences into care delivery. Document care interventions, observations, and monitoring in compliance with policy. Participate in transfer of care and communicate special considerations as needed. Comply with all behavioral health‑related policies to ensure safety for patients, staff, and self. Provide patient and family education tailored to identified needs. Maintain patient rights and confidentiality of health information.
Development (Fostering Clinical Knowledge) Engage in lifelong learning and integrate new knowledge into practice. Lead and participate in mock crisis drills and training sessions. Collaborate with and serve as consultant for other health team members in the education of behavioral health.
Engagement (Engaging and Leading Professionally) Offer guidance and oversight for interventions involving behavioral health care. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure coordinated care. Uphold ethical practices and maintain professional boundaries. Contribute to a positive and supportive work environment.
Outcomes (Driving Excellent Results) Apply evidence‑based practices and research findings to clinical decision‑making. Monitor safety within the work environment and report hazards or errors. Participate in quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient outcomes and workflows. Ensure equipment functionality for safe patient care. Demonstrate flexibility and commitment during times of change.
We believe highly skilled and specialized nursing care is essential to Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s mission of quality in patient care, education and research. We believe nursing is an applied art and science focused on helping people, families and communities reach excellent health and well‑being. As a Vanderbilt University Medical Center employee, you make a difference to our patients and their families by bringing compassion and care to those in need of hope and healing.
Ask us about our current inpatient nursing supplemental Pay Program! Achieve the Remarkable: Learn more about VUMC Nursing here.
Responsibilities: Certifications: LIC‑Registered Nurse – Licensure‑Others Work Experience: Relevant Work Experience Experience Level: 1 year Education: Graduate of an approved discipline specific program.
This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within Vanderbilt Health, supported by a comprehensive benefits package which may include health, disability, retirement and/or wellness offerings to enhance your well‑being and professional growth.
Vanderbilt Health is committed to fostering an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and is committed to the principles of equal opportunity. EOE/Vets/Disabled. PEOPLE ARE AT THE HEART OF ALL WE DO. Great health care takes great people. We’re looking for like‑minded individuals driven to make a difference. We invite you to explore careers at Vanderbilt Health, where we value collaboration, embrace continuous learning and foster an environment where everyone can thrive.
We’re the largest private employer in Middle Tennessee, with a growing team and an expanding footprint across towns and communities throughout the region. We employ more than 43,000 people who work in inpatient and outpatient clinical care, research and graduate medical education. Our employees also serve in critical supporting roles in administration, information technology and informatics, finance, legal and community affairs, communications and marketing, fundraising, groundskeeping and facilities, and many other departments.
Our growing academic health system has more than 2,100 licensed hospital beds at eight hospitals:
Vanderbilt University Hospital
Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital
Vanderbilt Stallworth Rehabilitation Hospital
Vanderbilt Bedford Hospital
Vanderbilt Clarksville Hospital
Vanderbilt Tullahoma‑Harton Hospital
Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital
Vanderbilt Health is the Mid‑South's largest provider of specialty care, with hundreds of outpatient clinic and surgical locations throughout the region, and Tennessee’s only National Cancer Institute‑designated Comprehensive Cancer Center for adults and children.
We are one of the nation’s busiest critical care centers, home to Middle Tennessee’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and Burn Center for adults and children, and Middle Tennessee’s only Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. We are the nation’s largest transplant center, and last year we performed the most heart transplants than any center worldwide.
Vanderbilt Health is an epicenter for biomedical research, winning over $1 billion in annual research awards from government, industry, foundations and donors. We are also a national leader in medical training and education, with the largest clinical training center in the Mid‑South and the only training center in Tennessee for many adult and pediatric specialties. We’re honored to be consistently considered among the nation’s best hospitals for quality, safety and patient satisfaction. Three of our hospitals — Vanderbilt University Hospital, Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital and Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital — have been awarded a Five‑Star Quality Rating from Medicare.
We support each other and encourage excellence among every member of our workforce. High‑achieving employees stay at Vanderbilt Health for professional growth opportunities, competitive compensation and benefits, and a sense of community and purpose.
Join us in advancing health care.
Our vision: The world leader in advancing personalized health Our mission: Personalizing the patient experience through our caring spirit and distinctive capabilities