DSHS ESH Behavioral Health Specialist 3

Behavioral Health Specialist 3 - Behavior Management Specialist

Eastern State Hospital,locatedin Medical Lake, Washington, is a state psychiatric hospital with a dedication to provide high-quality psychiatric care to adults in Washington state. The hospital serves people with complex mental health needs, and the work done here every day supports recovery, safety, and dignity for some of the most vulnerable people in our community.

As a Behavior Management Specialist, you will be part of theBehavior Management Team,a specialized teamthat partners with ESH treatment teams to provide consultation and support for complex patient cases that may be high utilizers of seclusion and restraint and/or are not progressing in treatment.

Your focus is on developing a broad perspective on referred client cases by interviewing patients and staff, conducting observations on wards, collecting data, and reviewing progress notes and reporting your findings to psychology associates. In addition, you will assist the psychology associates and staff to develop effective ways to support patients whose behavioral needs require extra attention and care. In addition, you may be involved in helping support the implementation of new interventions by coaching and mentoring staff, and modeling for staff. You will build relationships with patients and staff, and bring evidence-based strategies directly to the ward floor where care happens.

The work is meaningful and varied. No two patients are the same, and no two days look exactly alike. You will be a trusted resource for treatment teams especially when they are struggling with behavior related incidents and need additional input. You'll be a steady presence for patients, and a practical coach for the staff who work alongside them. If you want a role where your skills directly shape how care is delivered, this is it.

Opportunities performed on-site at this work location at least three days a week may be eligible for an additional 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary.

• Consult with ward staff to understand each patient's behavioral needs.
• Engage in case consultation with psychology associate to help develop recommendations for the treatment team referrals.
• Spend regular time on the ward observing and interacting with staff and patients to build positive rapport and a clear picture of strengths and challenges.
• Model intervention strategies directly with patients so ward staff can see the techniques in action and apply them with confidence.
• Coach and support direct care staff in building practical skills for working with patients who have complex behavioral needs.
• Review team incident debriefs conducted by treatment teams and submit this information to Quality Management in Sharepoint.
• Collect and document behavioral data to track baselines and measure how well interventions are working.
• Organize documentation from debriefs, data collection, and observations to provide clear, timely feedback to the Behavior Management Team.
• Provide brief, focused training to ward staff on topics such as de-escalation, group dynamics, and reducing safety risk in the milieu.

• Clinical knowledge: Understands therapeutic communication, de-escalation principles, and appropriate use of seclusion and restraint so every intervention is safe, grounded, and effective.
• Principles of milieu management: Reads individual and group behavior clearly and uses that understanding to identify what is driving unsafe patterns and what is most likely to turn them around.
• Active Listening: Interviews staff and referred patients to understand strengths and challenges for the referral including using open-ended questions, clarifying questions, and reflecting back what was heard.
• Data skills: Collects and tracks behavioral data accurately so the team can see what is working and make informed adjustments over time.
• Documentation: Ability to write thorough notes that objectively capture observations and progress (or lack of progress) towards goals.
• Adaptability: Recognizes when an approach is not working and shifts strategies without losing momentum or rapport. Ability to pivot when treatment recommendations change.
• Collaboration: Works well with multidisciplinary teams across ward settings and stays steady and constructive even in complex or high-tension situations.
• Communication: Writes and speaks clearly to share clinical observations, debrief findings, and intervention updates with teammates and supervisors.
• Coaching/Mentoring/Modeling: Teaches practical skills to ward staff through modeling, in-the-moment support, and brief focused training on behavioral topics.
• Objectivity: Holds a calm, professional perspective when working with patients who are distressed, angry, or in crisis.

The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protect­ed veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

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