Behavioral Health Specialist PRN (Nightshift)

Discover Vanderbilt Health : 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:

Emergency Services 120

Job Summary:

The Behavioral Health Specialist (BHS) supports the care of behavioral health patients in the Adult Emergency Department by coordinating patient observation resources, assisting with patient intake and belongings management, facilitating communication among members of the care team, and supporting patient disposition activities. The Behavioral Health Specialist serves as a key resource in maintaining a safe environment, promoting efficient patient flow, and ensuring continuity of care for patients experiencing behavioral health crises.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinates and oversees 1:1 observation assignments for behavioral health patients within the Adult Emergency Department.
• Monitors sitter coverage to ensure compliance with patient safety requirements and observation orders.
• Coordinates and facilitates sitter break schedules to maintain uninterrupted patient observation.
• Assists with behavioral health patient intake processes according to department protocols.
• Assists with the collection, documentation, and secure storage of patient belongings.
• Serves as a liaison between nursing staff, providers, assessment specialists, and ancillary team members regarding behavioral health patients.
• Communicates plan‑of‑care updates, disposition status, and patient needs to the primary nurse and provider.
• Facilitates information exchange among interdisciplinary team members to support timely patient care decisions.
• Assists with tracking patients through their behavioral health care while in the Emergency Department.
• Assists Assessment Specialists with referrals to outside behavioral health facilities and community resources as needed.
• Facilitates communication with receiving facilities regarding patient placement and transfer requirements.
• Assists in gathering and organizing required documentation to support referral and transfer processes.
• Tracks referral status and provides updates to the interdisciplinary team.

TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES

• Facilitation of Positive Coping Strategies (Intermediate): Demonstrates mastery of facilitation of positive coping strategies in practical applications of a difficult nature. Possesses sufficient knowledge, training, and experience to be capable of successfully delivering facilitation services without requiring support and instruction from others. Able to train and educate by setting the example, giving technical instruction, providing leadership, and generally raising the level of performance of others while on the job.
• Human Growth & Development (Intermediate): Demonstrates mastery of human growth and development in practical applications of a difficult nature. Possesses sufficient knowledge, training, and experience to be capable of successfully delivering human growth and development services without requiring support and instruction from others. Able to train and educate by setting the example, giving technical instruction, providing leadership, and generally raising the level of performance of others while on the job.
• Patient Documentation (Intermediate): Demonstrates mastery of patient documentation in practical applications of a difficult nature. Possesses sufficient knowledge, training, and experience to be capable of successfully delivering patient documentation services without requiring support and instruction from others. Able to train and educate by setting the example, giving technical instruction, providing leadership, and generally raising the level of performance of others while on the job.
• Communication (Intermediate): Clearly, effectively and respectfully communicates to employees or customers.

Our clinical and nursing support roles are at the center of all we do, helping us be the world leader in advancing personalized health. We support each other and encourage excellence among all who are part of our workforce. High‑achieving employees stay at Vanderbilt Health for professional growth, appreciation of benefits, and a sense of community and purpose. We support each other and encourage excellence among all who are part of our workforce.

Core Accountabilities:

• Organizational Impact: Performs tasks that are typically routine that may impact team's performance with occasional guidance.
• Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Utilizes some discretion and research to solve routine problems.
• Breadth of Knowledge: Applies knowledge of standards, established processes and procedure that apply to your own job.
• Team Interaction: Provides guidance to entry level co-workers.

Core Capabilities :

Supporting Colleagues : Develops Self and Others: Continuously improves own skills by identifying development opportunities.- Builds and Maintains Relationships: Seeks to understand colleagues' priorities, working styles and develops relationships across areas.- Communicates Effectively: Openly shares information with others and communicates in a clear and courteous manner. Delivering Excellent Services: - Serves Others with Compassion: Invests time to understand the problems, needs of others and how to provide excellent service.- Solves Complex Problems: Seeks to understand issues, solves routine problems, and raises proper concerns in a timely manner. - Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Listens carefully to understand the issues and provides accurate information and support. Ensuring High Quality: - Performs Excellent Work: Checks work quality before delivery and asks relevant questions to meet quality standards. - Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Demonstrates basic knowledge of conditions that affect safety and reports unsafe conditions to the appropriate person or department. Managing Resources Effectively : - Demonstrates Accountability: Takes responsibility for completing assigned activities and thinks beyond standard approaches to provide high‑quality work/service. - Stewards Organizational Resources: Displays understanding of how personal actions will impact departmental resources. - Makes Data Driven Decisions: Uses accurate information and good decision making to consistently achieve results on time and without error. Fostering Innovation : - Generates New Ideas: Willingly proposes/accepts ideas or initiatives that will impact day‑to‑day operations by offering suggestions to enhance them. - Applies Technology: Absorbs new technology quickly; understands when to utilize the appropriate tools and procedures to ensure proper course of action. - Adapts to Change: Embraces changes by keeping an open mind to changing plans and incorporates change instructions into own area of work.

Work Experience:

Relevant Work Experience

Experience Level:

2 years

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.