Mental Health Specialist, Child and Adolescent Day Hospital

Schedule: PRN or As Needed| Job Location Type: In Person

A day hospital is a psychiatric program you attend during weekdays, returning to the comfort of home in the evenings and on weekends. It is a less intensive level of care than inpatient but provides more support than an outpatient setting. Many people we serve find that day hospital treatment is a helpful step down from inpatient care before returning to daily life or that it is an effective intensity of treatment to help avoid an inpatient stay.

Treatment offerings at Sheppard Pratt’s Day Hospitals include:

• Family meeting/collaborative care with family, friends, and/or significant others
• Group treatment, which can include modalities like: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Medication Education, Recreation/activity, Psychoeducation
• Supportive counseling
• Treatment planning
• Aftercare planning

What to expect. 

• Facilitate psychoeducational groups within the programming day.
• Perform patient interviews and observations of patients struggling with mental health issues.
• Collects data from these sessions that can be used to develop a treatment plan for the patient.
• Participate in the planning and evaluation of patient needs based on patient behaviors.
• Provide direct patient care services in accordance with the treatment plan.
• Assist in providing a safe and therapeutic environment according to established policies and procedures.
• Monitor vital signs, as assigned.
• Complete written documentation and data entry into the electronic medical record (EMR) to record patient behaviors, vital signs, and observations in compliance with Hospital and program standards. Complete all documentation so that it is legible, accurate, complete, timely, and in accordance with Hospital & program standards.
• Participate in the evaluation of program effectiveness and efficiency and works to ensure continuous improvements in the quality of services. Participate in in-service programs and workshops and incorporates content into performance.  Demonstrate the ability to adapt to changes in work assignments and work environment.  Suggest ways in which the unit/program can maintain and improve safety.

At Sheppard Pratt, you will work alongside a multi-disciplined team led by a bold vision to change lives.

• An extended clinical orientation led by Sheppard Pratt’s Clinical Education Department to prepare you for the responsibilities of your role.
• A commitment to professional development, including a comprehensive tuition reimbursement program to support ongoing education and licensure and/or certification preparation
• Comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits for benefit eligible positions
• 403b retirement match
• Generous paid-time-off for benefit eligible positions
• Complimentary Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Generous mileage reimbursement program

What we need from you.

1. Work requires the ability to read and follow up on documentation in the patient’s record, written and oral communication skills sufficient to communicate effectively and maintain documentation, and basic computer usage skills.
2. Work requires bachelor’s degree in psychology, counseling, social work, a related field and 2-3 years of relevant experience or HS/GED preferred and 5 or more years of relevant experience internal to Sheppard Pratt.
3. Work requires demonstrated competency in basic patient care methods, procedures, and techniques, as well as specialized skills, procedures, and techniques required for working with the psychiatric population - acquired through Hospital-provided training.
4. Work requires interpersonal skills sufficient to establish therapeutic relationships with emotionally disturbed patients and to communicate and work effectively with patients in accordance with treatment plan.
5. Work requires analytical skills sufficient to perform written patient documentation, assess situations, identify the need for assistance/supervision, and seek out appropriate resources.
6. Work requires ability to physically intervene in medical and behavioral emergencies, transport patients, and lift patients

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