Location: PROVIDENT HOSPITAL
Shift: 3:00 P.M. TO 11:00 P.M.
The grant will expire on December 31, 2026 with the potential to be renewed.
Job Summary
Under direction, the Behavioral Health Associate performs crisis and or de-escalation intervention, therapeutic observations of patients and milieu, patient supervision and other behavioral health related duties for Cook County Health (CCH). The Behavioral Health Associate will also implement restraints in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team.
This position is exempt from Career Service under the CCH Personnel Rules.
Typical Duties
- Utilizes crisis and/or de-escalation intervention practices, when necessary and appropriate, with patients whose behavior cannot be otherwise supported without such interventions.
- Assists in the application and removal of restraints and the implementation of seclusion, when deemed necessary by appropriate personnel; ensures the physical and emotional health and safety of the patient when using such methods.
- Identifies patient characteristics and environmental variables that may trigger agitated behavior(s) and communicates such information to the treatment team.
- Escorts patient to required location(s), within and outside of the health care setting.
- Monitors and controls patients, family, visitors and staff traffic flow through behavioral health services.
- Ensures the safety of patients and staff through electronic scanning and safety checks prior to entry to clinical areas.
- Responds appropriately to patient emergencies, including those requiring the
- Inspects and categorizes patients' belongings at time of admission and ensures that property is safely maintained and returned at the time of transfer or discharge; notifies appropriate personnel of illegal items for proper handling.
- May lead or co-lead discussion groups in areas such as anger management techniques and practices;
or daily orientation to unit protocols, laundry group or any other assigned duties. Appropriately documents group activity in patients' chart.
- Assists in the facilitation of therapeutic groups and related activities when lead by a clinician.
- Assists with patient grooming needs, including shaving when deemed appropriate by clinical staff and the patient is not able to shave themselves, observes showering in patients who are on 1:1 observations.
- Takes patient vital signs when directed to do so by clinical staff and enters patient vital sign data into the electronic medical record (EMR).
- Performs observation and monitoring of assigned patients on a one-to-one basis, and during restraint and documents on appropriate care provided in EMR.
- Performs patient checks/rounds and video surveillance if implemented, as required, and reports observations, interactions and patient activity to assigned nursing staff.
- Communicates clinical matters to assigned RN or other professional staff as required.
- Participates in staff, departmental and team/committee meetings.
- Participates in departmental quality assurance/performance improvement (QA/PI) activities.
- Participates in departmental and/or health care setting-wide training, as required.
- Performs related work, as assigned.
- Participates in Interdisciplinary Rounds and staffing at the Behavioral Healthcare Unit at Provident Hospital as requested, or at the Community triage and stabilization center at Provident Hospital.
- Documents all activities in the Care Management System according to policy and procedure.
- Retrieves documentation from outside care organization such as history and physical, discharge summaries, and medication list to support effective transitions of care.
- Completes consent forms and obtains signatures patient/guardians or significant other as needed.
- Protects Protected Health Information (PHI) and complies with Cook County Health’s Privacy Policy.
- Consults information systems such as passport, managed care portals or care management systems to assess youth eligibility for service.
- May assist with clean-up of dining area and rubbish removal when necessary.
- Ensures that all hygiene equipment is put away in container with name on each patients' belongings.
- Maintains cleanliness in unit and ensures no food or beverages are in patient rooms.
- Acts in compliance with CCH Policy and relevant regulatory policies and procedures. Performs other duties as assigned.
- Associates degree or higher from an accredited college of university
- One (1) year of experience working with behavioral health clients
- Position requires local travel for which the employee must possess a valid driver’s license and insured vehicle or otherwise provide an acceptable and reliable means of transportation
- Experience with appointment scheduling
- Proficient using Microsoft Office
Preferred Qualifications
- One (1) year of work experience in a culturally diverse population
- Experience working with justice involved individuals
- Experience working with individuals with mental illness and substance use
- Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) Certification
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics
- Knowledge and proficiency in Microsoft Office
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills necessary to communicate with all levels of staff and a patient population composed of diverse cultures and age groups
- Ability to adhere to department policies and standards utilizing best practices
- Ability to maintain a professional demeanor and composure when challenged
- Ability to function autonomously and as a team member
Benefits Package
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
- Basic Term Life Insurance
- Pension Plan
- Deferred Compensation Program
- Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time
- You may also qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
For further information on our excellent benefits package, please click on the following link: http://www.cookcountyrisk.com/
VETERAN PREFERENCE
PLEASE READ
When applying for employment with the Cook County Health & Hospitals System, preference is given to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for not less than 6 months of continuous service.
To take advantage of this preference a Veteran must:
Meet the minimum qualifications for the position.
Identify self as a Veteran on the employment application by answering yes to the question by answering yes to the question, “Are you a Military Veteran?”
Attach a copy of their DD 214, DD 215 or NGB 22 (Notice of Separation at time of application filing. Please note: If you have multiple DD214s, 215s, or NGB 22S, Please submit the one with the latest date. Coast Guard must submit a certified copy of the military separation from either the Department of Transportation (Before 9/11) or the Department of Homeland Security (After 9/11).
Discharge papers must list and Honorable Discharge Status. Discharge papers not listing an Honorable Discharge Status are not acceptable
OR
A copy of a valid State ID Card or Driver’s License which identifies the holder of the ID as a Veteran, may also be attached to the application at time of filing.
If items are not attached, you will not be eligible for Veteran Preference
VETERANS MUST PROVIDE ORIGINAL APPLICABLE DISCHARGE PAPERS OR APPLICABLE STATE ID CARD OR DRIVER’S LICENSE AT TIME OF INTERVIEW.
Degrees awarded outside of the United States with the exception of those awarded in one of the United States' territories and Canada must be credentialed by an approved U.S. credential evaluation service belonging to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE). Original credentialing documents must be presented at time of interview.
- Please note all offers of Employment are contingent upon the following conditions: satisfactory professional & employment references, healthcare and criminal background checks, appropriate licensure/certifications and the successful completion of a physical and pre-employment drug screen.
- CCHHS is strictly prohibited from conditioning, basing or knowingly prejudicing or affecting any term or aspect of County employment or hiring upon or because of any political reason or factor.
COOK COUNTY GOVERNMENT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER