Behavioral Interventionist Series

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In cooperation with the clinical staff, employees in positions allocated to this series work in a paraprofessional capacity with patients in an in-patient or out-patient psychiatric medical care or mental health facility. They use principles and techniques of psychology to provide individualized health care designed to achieve an improved cognitive/emotional/behavioral state for psychiatric patients. Behavioral Interventionists may supervise lower-level staff and assist in the administration and/or coordination of services.

DESCRIPTIONS OF LEVELS OF WORK

Employees in positions allocated to this level apply basic behavioral principles of the biological and behavioral sciences to observe, develop, implement, and evaluate a patient’s care as outlined in the treatment plan. The Behavioral Interventionist is accountable to and practices under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse or Social Worker.

A(n) Behavioral Interventionist typically -

1. provides care for patients who have a mental illness, emotional conditions, and/or developmental disabilities;
2. systematically observes, reports, and documents subjectively and objectively the covert and overt baseline data regarding patients’ psychological and behavioral states such as effect (flat, bright tearful), thought content (logical, illogical), and behavior (withdrawn, agitated);
3. develops and maintains therapeutic alliances with patients and their families; facilitates, leads, and/or participates in scheduled individual or group therapeutic patient activities and/or patient groups, coordinates activities with professional staff members/treatment;
4. plans therapeutic outings, off-unit tests, and procedures; assists patients with the activities of daily living, accompanies patients to off-unit tests/procedures/outings when necessary;
5. evaluates the value of activities as they apply to the improved mental/emotional state of the patient;
6. indirect cooperation with a Registered Nurse, develops, implements, and evaluates a course of action for each patient (such as behavior modification);
7. performs routine measurements of the state of the patient’s physical health (such as measuring weight);
8. implements portions of the nursing care program as assigned by the Registered Nurse, such as monitoring patients’ physical and emotional well-being via continual observation of patients’ behavior modification, assessing calorie counts (anorexics), and reporting to nursing/medical staff/treatment;
9. evaluates patient response and attempts to modify behavior through interventions outlined by the treatment team;
10. assists with verbal de-escalation, distraction, redirection, seclusion, and restraining patients exhibiting explosive and aggressive behaviors;
11. participates in patient care conferences, staff meetings, in-service training, the orientation of new staff, and continuing education programs;
12. performs other related duties as assigned.

Employees in positions allocated to this level apply advanced biological and behavioral sciences principles to assist with observing, developing, implementing, and evaluating a patient’s care as outlined in the treatment plan. The Senior Behavioral Interventionist may supervise functions and is accountable to and practices under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse or Social Worker.

A(n) Senior Behavioral Interventionist typically -

1. in cooperation with the Registered Nurse, is responsible for maintaining a safe environment, evaluates and plans unit activities that emphasize close observation of psychiatrically unstable patients. Such activities include one-to-one coverage, 15-minute checks, on-unit and/or off-unit activities, etc.;
2. in cooperation with the health care team (resident; psychiatrist; occupational, activity, physical therapists; social worker; etc.), develops, maintains, implements, and evaluates patient care plans;
3. as a clinical team member, refines the department philosophy of care and develops policies, procedures, and orientation for new staff that implements that philosophy;
4. supervises Behavioral Interventionist by providing guidance and direction; meets with Administrative Nurse to evaluate employees;
5. conducts in-service classes to teach other health team members the theories of psychiatric care and interviewing techniques;
6. performs duties of a Behavioral Interventionist as required;
7. performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS

CREDENTIALS TO BE VERIFIED BY PLACEMENT OFFICER

1. Bachelor’s Degree with 18 semester hours in one or more of the behavioral sciences (i.e. psychology, sociology, anthropology, criminal justice, political science, etc. or a closely related field.
OR
2. Four (4) years (48 months) of direct patient care experience in a psychiatric or mental health care setting.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

1. Knowledge of human behavior and individual performance differences in ability, personality, interests, learning, and motivation.
2. Basic knowledge of principles and techniques of psychology such as psychotherapy and behavior modification.
3. Knowledge of the causes, nature, and treatment of mental illness.
4. Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, history, and origins.
5. Knowledge of business and management principles involved in planning, resource allocation, leadership technique, and coordination of people and resources.
6. Knowledge for providing customer and personal services, including needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluating customer satisfaction.
7. Skill in active listening (i.e., giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times) and critical thinking.
8. Skill in therapeutic communication or demonstrated therapeutic communication skills.
9. Skill in recognizing patients' needs.
10. Skill in negotiation with others to reconcile differences and persuade others to change their minds or behavior.
11. Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
12. Ability to communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing.
13. Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with other employees and agency representatives.
14. Ability to engage and establish rapport with people from varied ethnic/social/economic backgrounds and health challenges.
15. Ability to build mutual trust, respect, and cooperation, among others.
16. Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality.
17. Ability to use systems and software such as word processing, spreadsheets, email, and medical software (patient electronic medical records, EMR software, etc.)
18. Ability to interact effectively with others in difficult situations.
19. Ability to physically support and position patients.

CREDENTIALS TO BE VERIFIED BY PLACEMENT OFFICER

1. A Bachelor’s Degree with 18 semester hours in one or more of the behavioral sciences (i.e. psychology, sociology, anthropology, criminal justice, political science, etc.) or a closely related field.
2. Two (2) years (24 months) of direct patient care experience in a psychiatric or mental health care setting comparable to the first level (Behavioral Interventionist) of this series.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

1. Knowledge of human behavior and individual performance differences in ability, personality, interests, learning, and motivation.
2. Knowledge of principles and techniques of psychology such as psychotherapy and behavior modification.
3. Knowledge of the causes, nature, and treatment of mental illness.
4. Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, history, and origins.
5. Knowledge of business and management principles involved in planning, resource allocation, leadership technique, and coordination of people and resources.
6. Knowledge for providing customer and personal services, including needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluating customer satisfaction.
7. Skill in active listening (i.e., giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times) and critical thinking.
8. Skill in therapeutic communication or demonstrated therapeutic communication skills.
9. Skill in recognizing patients' needs.
10. Skill in negotiation with others to reconcile differences and persuade others to change their minds or behavior.
11. Supervisory ability.
12. Analytical ability.
13. Ability to communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing.
14. Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with other employees and agency representatives.
15. Ability to engage and establish rapport with people from varied ethnic/social/economic backgrounds and health challenges.
16. Ability to build mutual trust, respect, and cooperation, among others.
17. Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality.
18. Ability to use systems and software such as word processing, spreadsheets, email, and medical software (patient electronic medical records, EMR software, etc.)
19. Ability to interact effectively with others in difficult situations.
20. Ability to physically support and position patients.