Mental Health Coach

The Mental Health Coach is responsible for establishing a therapeutic relationship with pediatric mental health clients, modeling pro-social and positive self‑coping skills. The coach maintains a safe and regulatory‑compliant treatment setting and collaborates with patients and team stakeholders to ensure an effective treatment experience. The coach may function in an on‑call capacity as necessary to meet the needs of the organization and reports to departmental leadership.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Provision of Clinical Care Provides evidence-based skills coaching, behavioral modification, and direct observation to pediatric patients with mental health diagnoses. Implements and reinforces strategies included in the patient’s treatment or behavioral plan. Relays ineffective aspects of the plan back to the broader team for review and adjustment. Completes coping cards with each patient and encourages their use. May complete nursing tasks, as delegated by the RN, for medically involved clients. Maintains a collaborative and supportive stance with patients to help maintain unit calm. Displays expertise in the de‑escalation cycle and educates patients and families daily on its use. Crisis Management Maintains consistent awareness of where each assigned patient is on the de‑escalation cycle and utilizes skills appropriate for the observed de‑escalation level. Adopts a collaborative and reflective stance with patients with the goal of de‑escalation in mind. Provides emotional first aid and de‑briefing to individual patients and groups after behavioral escalations. Ensure Safe and Compliant Treatment Setting Manages the patient’s room, unit environment, and team schedule, ensuring consistent structure and a priority toward safety. Ensures work areas are organized, safe, and ready for the next activity or shift. Maintains constant awareness of patient location and immediately alerts the nurse to changes in mental status. Admission/Registration/Greeter Processes admissions in a timely, organized, and client‑centered fashion. Assures anyone entering the unit is free of contraband by encouraging use of assigned lockers. Provides updates to parents/guardians regarding patient condition and progress, linking information to the plan of care; if unsure of boundaries, consults with the treatment team prior to sharing information. Greets families when they are present at point of access, providing guidance on wayfinding and unit rules. Emergency Department Oversees Emergency Department mental health flow by acting as a liaison between providers, charge nurses, bedside nurses, evaluating therapists, admission staff, parents, and children. Provides evidence-based skills coaching, behavioral modification, and direct observation to pediatric patients with mental health diagnoses. Assists in the application of restraints when deemed medically necessary and ordered by the treating physician. May complete nursing tasks (ADLs, vital signs, nutrition, patient weights), as delegated by the RN, for medically involved clients. Maintains a compliant and safe environment of care, including stocking, setting up rooms for admission, and general cleaning. Attends change of shift and unit level huddles. Assists with de‑escalation and restraint application when needed. Completes coping cards with each client and encourages their use. Maintains consistent awareness of where each assigned patient is on the de‑escalation cycle; utilizes skills appropriate for the observed de‑escalation level. Other Duties Performs other duties as assigned.

LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

None.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Must meet at least one of the following upon hire: Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Mental Health, Education, Healthcare, or a related field. One (1) year of experience in psychiatric care. Two (2) years of experience in direct patient care. Increased Security Clearance Required: FBI fingerprinting, criminal background check, and Child Protective Services registry search. #J-18808-Ljbffr Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters