Mental Health Coach - Outpatient

GENERAL SUMMARY

The Mental Health Coach is responsible for establishing a therapeutic relationship with pediatric mental health clients, modeling pro-social and positive self-coping skills. Maintains a safe and regulatory compliant treatment setting and collaborates with patient and team stakeholders to ensure an effective treatment experience. May function in on-call capacity as necessary to meet the needs of the organization. Reports to department leadership.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Provision of clinical care-

Provides evidence-based skills coaching, behavioral modification and direct observation to pediatric patients with mental health diagnoses.

Implements and reinforces strategies included in patient’s treatment or behavioral plan. Relays ineffective aspects of plan back to broader team for review and adjustment.

Completes coping cards with each patient and encourages their use.

Maintains a collaborative and supportive stance with patients as a means of maintaining unit calm.

Displays expertise in de-escalation cycle and educates patients and families daily on its use.

Crisis Management-

Maintains consistent awareness of where each assigned patient is on de-escalation cycle; utilizes skills appropriate for observed de-escalation level.

Adopts a collaborative and reflective stance with patients with the goal of de-escalation in mind.

Provides emotional first aid and de-briefing to individual patients and groups after behavioral escalations.

Ensure safe and compliant treatment setting-

Manages patient’s room, unit environment and team schedule, ensuring consistent structure and a priority towards safety.

Ensures work areas are organized, safe and ready for the next activity or shift.

Maintains constant awareness of patient location and immediately alerts treatment team to changes in mental status.

Completes regular environmental assessment.

Processes admissions in a timely, organized and client-centered fashion.

Assures anyone entering the unit is free of contraband.

Provides updates to parent/guardian regarding patient condition and progress, information is linked to the plan of care, if unsure of boundaries consults with treatment team prior to sharing information.

Greets families when they are present at point of access, provides guidance on way finding and unit rules.

Performs all other duties as assigned.

LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

Required Licenses and/or Certifications

None required.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Required Education and Experience

Must meet at least one of the following education or experience requirements upon hire:

bachelor's degree in Social Work, Counseling, Mental Health, Education, Healthcare, or a related field; or

one (1) year of experience in psychiatric care; or

two (2) years of experience in direct patient care.

Increased Security Clearance Required: FBI fingerprinting, criminal background check, and Child Protective Services registry search.

Preferred Education and Experience:

Supplemental trainings in mental health disorders, crisis response, behavioral planning preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Outpatient practice with little exposure to dust, temperature and the like.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Click here to view physical requirements. (https://www.chkd.org/uploadedFiles/Documents/Employees/Category%20B%20Jobs.pdf)