Behavioral Health Specialist

Behavioral Health Specialist - Inpt Psychiatry Waltham - $3K sign-on | Boston Childrens HospitalPosition Summary As a Behavioral Health Specialist in our Inpatient Psychiatry Units in Boston or Waltham, MA, you'll have the opportunity to learn and grow as part of a multidisciplinary team supporting our patients. Key ResponsibilitiesFocuses on maintaining a physically and emotionally safe environment, supporting routine patient activities, assisting with structured programming, and promptly reporting safety concerns and observed behavioral changes to nursing staff.Closely monitors and maintains the safety of patients. Observes patient behaviors and conditions in accordance with established procedures and protocols.Identifies and reports changes in behavior that represent unsafe situations. Respectful redirection of unsafe behavior and limit setting as needed.Maintains a physically safe environment: Checks and screens items brought into unit.Conducts patient and environmental checks and identifies risk; reports identified risk to Registered Nurse.Aids with the implementation of safety measures, such as physical restraints, enhanced patient observation levels and elopement prevention, as warranted.Identifies patient behaviors that could lead to behavioral escalation; and utilizes verbal and nonverbal techniques to de-escalate situations in a therapeutic and supportive manner.Support and assist patients with routine activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, and eating.May collect, measure and record basic patient data, such as vital signs, intake, and output, and obtains specimens according to established procedures and schedules.Records medical data and care provided in patient medical record in accordance with established documentation standards.Assists in patient supervision and engagement during therapeutic group activitiesMay facilitate psychoeducational groups with support from senior staffAssists in patient supervision and adherence to structured schedule throughout the day.24, 32 or 36 hours; schedule is day/evening rotating, occasional overnights, every other weekend and rotating holidays; mix of 8 and 12 hour shifts. Other schedule options include straight overnights & every other weekend; or straight evenings & every other weekend, and rotating holidays.Minimum Qualifications Education:High School Diploma/GED required. Bachelor's Degree preferred.Experience:Experience working with children/adolescents, facilitating group activities, working with patients with behavioral health challenges preferred.1-2 Years of experience as a Behavioral Health, Mental Health Counselor or similar role in a similar setting preferred.Basic Life Support (BLS) and de-escalation certification per facility protocol/procedure within 1 month of hire.** This position is eligible for a $3,000 sign-on for Behavioral Health Specialists with 1 or more years of related Behavioral Health experience. (Internal candidates and former BCH employees who have worked at BCH in the past 2 years are not eligible).