Behavioral Health Professional Per Diem- BERT

SUMMARY:

Behavioral Emergency Response Team (BERT) clinicians provide support to patients and staff at the Tucson Medical Center campus. They work with the treatment team to help de-escalate situations and develop individualized care plans that target challenging behaviors to ultimately help with reducing injuries to patients and staff. BERT clinicians collaborate with multi-disciplinary team members to identify patient-specific needs and barriers to treatment compliance. The BERT clinicians play a major role in an established hospital response process that offers staff assistance before a patient or situation escalates. Following their intervention, the BERT clinicians establish a care plan that includes patient-specific triggers and interventions. The clinicians are considered a behavioral health resource to the care teams and are called upon for support and guidance when staff are uncertain about their approach in caring for their patient.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS :

On the basis of a Comprehensive Behavioral Health Assessment, the BERT BHP will assess the patient and their psychosocial risk factors through evaluation of current and prior functioning levels, patient's mental health history, severity of psychiatric symptoms, appropriateness and adequacy of support systems, reaction to illness and ability to cope.

Evaluates for self-injurious or harmful behaviors and recommends precautions according to patient acuity.

Evaluates social determinants of health factors influencing health status, integrating these into the plan.

Consults with BHS psychiatrists/PMHNPs and attending physician for case review and medication recommendations.

Provides psychiatric diagnoses and appropriately document clinical criteria and psychiatric symptoms.

Provides counseling and/or treatment to individuals, couples, families, or groups by establishing and maintaining a therapeutic relationship to understand and intervene in intrapersonal, interpersonal, and psychosocial dynamics; and to diagnose and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders and addictions.

Educates adults, children and families experiencing emotional disturbances, mental illness or problems related to substance abuse.

Intervenes with patients and families regarding emotional, social, and financial consequences of illness and/or disability; accesses and mobilizes family/community resources to meet identified needs.

Provides intervention in cases involving child abuse/neglect, domestic violence, elderly abuse, institutional abuse, and sexual assault.

Serves as a resource person and provides crisis counseling and intervention related to treatment decisions.

Advocates for patient and family empowerment and independence to make autonomous health care decisions and access needed services within the health care system and the community at large.

Ensures safe care to patients adhering to policies, procedures, and standards, within budgetary specifications, including time management, supply management, productivity, and accuracy of practice.

Promotes individual professional growth and development by meeting requirements for mandatory/continuing education, skills competency, supports department-based goals which contribute to the success of the organization; serves as preceptor, mentor, and resource to less experienced staff.

Maintains confidentiality and always protects sensitive data, including patient information, proprietary information and personnel information.

Adheres to TMCH values of integrity, diversity, accountability, compassion, and teamwork.

Works collaboratively and supports efforts of other team members.

Performs related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION: Masters Degree in Social Work; or Master Degree in Counseling; or Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy.

EXPERIENCE : Preferred: Five (5) years' behavioral health experience in acute care/ crisis setting.

LICENSURE OR CERTIFICATION: Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required. Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Independent Substance Abuse Counselor (LISAC/LASAC), or Licensed Marriage Family Therapist (LMFT).

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES :

• Knowledge of crisis intervention skills and techniques, psychosocial factors influencing behavior, counseling concepts, and discharge planning.
• Ability to provide therapeutic techniques to provide problem resolution.
• Knowledge of best practices in working with various psychiatric populations.
• The ability to work independently.
• Proven capability in conducting evaluations to determine the psychosocial and psychiatric needs of adults, children, and families.
• Demonstrates the ability to complete thorough risk assessments for suicide and homicide.
• Effective use of the Diagnostic Statistical Manuel (DSM) in diagnosing mental illness.
• Demonstrates an ability to recommend the appropriate psychiatric levels of care.
• Applies crisis intervention techniques as well as evidenced based counseling techniques with both individuals and family members.
• Developed skill set of family systems and effective strategies for engaging the family in the patient's treatment.
• Maintain clinician annual core competencies in: HIPAA/Privacy, Cultural Competence, Information Security Awareness, Domestic Violence, Levels of Care, Medications, Substance Use, DSM, Suicide/Homicide Assessments, and Psychiatric Emergencies.
• Theoretical knowledge of interviewing, assessment, organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to apply theory into the practice of : 1) identifying appropriate community resources on assigned caseload; 2) working collaboratively with patients, families, multi-disciplinary team and community agencies to achieve desired patient outcomes; 3) Seeking consultation/supervision from team clinical leaders on complex psychiatric and/or medical cases when clinically appropriate.
• Possess knowledge of the importance of interpersonal communication and negotiation skills in interactions with patients, families, physicians, and other health care team staff. Good analytical and personal communication skills.
• Understands the need to develop collaborative relationships with physicians, families, patients, interdisciplinary team and other community agencies. Good communication skills and the theoretical knowledge of the importance of negotiation skills.
• Openness to working with people of all social, economic, and cultural backgrounds; being open-minded and adaptable to change. Demonstrate the ability to connect patients and families with necessary services, both inside and outside the TMC Health network. Some knowledge of services available in the local community, particularly services available to patients with limited or non-existent payment resources.
• Demonstrate patience and tact when dealing with patients, families, and other staff.