Pediatric Behavioral Health Associate

Job Description

ECU Health

About ECU Health Medical Center

ECU Health Medical Center, one of four academic medical centers in North Carolina, is the 974-bed flagship hospital for ECU Health and serves as the primary teaching hospital for The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. ECU Health Medical Center has achieved Magnet® designation twice and provides acute and intermediate care, rehabilitation and outpatient health services to a 29-county region that is home to more than 1.4 million people.

Position Summary

The Pediatric Behavioral Health Associate provides behavioral health care for pediatric patients that is safe, cost-effective, developmentally appropriate, and exemplary of health care quality standards. Under the direct supervision of a nurse, a Pediatric Behavioral Health Associate participates in patient observation, planning, implementation, and evaluation as a participant in the delivery of pediatric behavioral health services. As a member of a team of health care professionals, Pediatric Behavioral Health Associates provide care that is population specific for patients in his/her assigned unit or clinical setting(s), and grounded in mutually beneficial partnerships with patients and families. Pediatric Behavioral Health Associates participate in the provision of behavioral health interventions, goal-directed care planning, and patient education under the supervision of a nurse. Pediatric Behavioral Health Associates are required to document in the electronic health record factual, accurate, complete, timely, legal information about the care they provide to each patient. The Pediatric Behavioral Health Associate also serves in the role of the Observer as assigned. The Observer is responsible for monitoring one or more assigned pediatric patients on a designated unit for a specified time period. The Observer alerts the pediatric patients assigned nurse and/or supervisor if the patient begins to or does exhibit risk of harm himself/herself or others. The Observer may be delegated patient care tasks within his/her scope of practice in addition to monitoring the pediatric patient while under the supervision of the nurse.

Responsibilities

1. Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the pediatric patient population.

2. Ensures patient safety and implements interventions as needed.

3. Demonstrates developmentally appropriate de-escalation techniques to ensure safety during at-risk behaviors including self-harm or harm to others or the surrounding environment.

4. Provides age and developmentally appropriate interventions for Pediatric Behavioral Health Patients to ensure patient safety and team member safety.

5. Acts as an observer who is responsible for monitoring one or more assigned pediatric patients to ensure safety. Observation will be maintained according to the patients plan of care and as ordered by the provider. The observer will communicate effectively with the patients care team, receiving report from the patients nurse prior to assuming assignment.

6. Monitors, documents, and intervenes as appropriate any patient intent to harm himself or others and escalates to primary nurse.

7. Provides a safe environment by checking for and removing harmful objects in patient belongings and environment.

8. Facilitates group and individual activities for pediatric patients.

9. Completes patient vital signs as ordered.

10.Engages in developmentally appropriate activities to facilitate a decrease in escalation of pediatric patients which includes but is not limited to, playing games, walking laps, etc.

11.Documents accurate and timely observations on monitoring tools/forms/patient record as requested.

12.Provides care as other vital pediatric specific ancillary role within the Childrens Hospital setting during times of low volume.

13.Acts as the expert in the de-escalation and monitoring of pediatric behavioral health patients, providing training for other team members as needed.

14.Provides informal support therapy to patients and families.

15.Participates in behavior modification plans/therapy.

16.Monitors therapeutic activities on assigned unit to ensure that emotional and safety needs of patients are met.

17.Provides direct patient care for routine activities of daily living.

18.Reinforces routine teaching given to patients by the registered nurse or physician.

19.Provides indirect care to patients and assigned area to include but not limited to, cleaning the work area, changing linens, restocking supplies, transporting patients, assisting with the orientation of new employees and some routine clerical functions.

Minimum Requirements

Associate Degree or higher is required, but can be replaced with 2 years in an inpatient pediatric hospital or pediatric outpatient psychiatric setting with a high school diploma.

Active NAI Certification required.

1 year of current experience in hospital environment or outpatient pediatric psychiatric setting such as residential child or adolescent services required.

1 year or more experience in behavioral health preferred.

Other Information

Location: ECU Health Medical Center - Maynard Children's Hospital

Shift: Rotating

Hours: 12 Hours rotating Days/Nights/Weekends (24hrs/week)

Weekends: Rotating

On-Call: No

BLS License Required

Great Benefits!!!

General Statement

It is the goal of ECU Health and its entities to employ the most qualified individual who best matches the requirements for the vacant position.

Offers of employment are subject to successful completion of all pre-employment screenings, which may include an occupational health screening, criminal record check, education, reference, and licensure verification.

We value diversity and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Decisions of employment are made based on business needs, job requirements and applicant’s qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, genetic information and testing, family and medical leave, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other status protected by law. We prohibit retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint.

Contact Information

For additional information, please contact:

Deepika Agarwal, Talent Acquisition Consultant

ECU Health Talent Acquisition

Email: [email protected]