Banner Health·Tucson, Arizona
Provides direct care to psychiatric patients by monitoring physical and mental status, taking vital signs, and assisting with activities of daily living. Maintains a safe and therapeutic environment by implementing de-escalation techniques and participating in patient safety monitoring.
Primary City/State: Tucson, Arizona
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Clinical Care Operations (CCO) is the hub of patient management for the campus, including bed assignment, unit staffing, house supervision, emergency preparedness (code events and internal disasters), patient transports, dispatch, and data analysis. Several employee groups report to this department, including clinical positions such as RN House Senior Managers, SWAT RNs, and the Resource Team (RNs, CNA's, Health Unit Coordinators, and Behavioral Health Specialists) plus non-clinical roles such as Office Supervisor, Transport Supervisor, Dispatchers, Placement Reps, and Information Specialists.
As a BUMC Tucson (& Tucson South Campus) Behavioral Health Specialist Resource Float, you will have the opportunity to provide care to psychiatric patients at our facilities. You may float between all units at BUMCT (Tucson Main Campus) and BUMCS (Tucson South) including Behavioral Health Pavillion and ED settings. Ideal candidates have at least 1 year of Inpatient Behavioral Health experience. Our Behavioral Health Specialists are highly skilled, compassionate, have the ability to be flexible, and are open to the many educational and growth opportunities provided and available.
What the responsibilities are and differences between working inpatient BH vs. the hospital setting
Behavioral Health Pavillion at Tucson South; true inpatient BH units working with multiple BHS staff to complete all required tasks during the shift including direct observation, the every 15min requirement observation checks, meal trays, etc.
Hospital setting; most of the time 1 to 1 with a patient for the 12hr shift. Can be paired (up to 4 patients on same unit) if moderate risk or companion ensuring required checks are being completed.
Basic patient care including ADLs (provide examples - oral care, bathing, ambulating, turning), vital signs, finger sticks, charting required
Orientation: AVADE class, Behavioral Health Orientation day, on unit orientation (2 shifts on each BH unit, 1 shift in the ED, and rest of shifts with Resource Pool BHS preceptor). Will get shift assignment from Staffing office via text message about 1-1.5hrs prior to shift start when off orientation
Be prepared to talk through what to do if a patient becomes agitated
Kind, courteous, respectful communication is expected. As Resource Team goes everywhere, the ask is that team members show up with an "I am here to help" attitude.
We have Days & Night Shifts, Full-Time (3, 12 hour shifts per week) available
Day Shift Hours: 7am-7:30pm
7pm-7:30am
Enjoy an 18% differential on Night Shift and a flat rate $1/hour weekend shift
Every 3rd weekend requirement
Holiday schedule - 3 groups for holiday schedule and groups are rotated annually to allow for not working the same holiday every year
No set schedules accommodated, must be able to self-schedule around school, other jobs, etc.
Shift swaps with other team members is an option
You will have the opportunity to utilize our self-scheduling tool (Schedule opens up about 6wks prior to schedule period. You will be scheduling with other members of the Resource Pool in same role, first come first serve.)
Just be adaptable, flexible as assignment may change during shift based on hospital needs (generally will stay at one campus or the other but may be asked to float between campuses during shift)
Your pay and benefits are important components of your journey at Banner Health. Banner Health offers a variety of benefits to help you and your family. We provide health and financial security options so you can focus on being the best at what you do and enjoying your life.
Banner - University Medical Center Tucson is nationally recognized for providing exceptional patient care, teaching future health-care professionals and conducting groundbreaking research.
Also located on the campus is Diamond Children's - recognized for its specialized pediatric services including neonatal and intensive care, emergency medicine and cancer therapies.
Banner - University Medical Center Tucson is a Level 1 Trauma Center, meaning we care for the most critically injured patients.
The hospital is consistently listed among the nation's top hospitals in the prestigious Best Hospitals ranking by U.S.
News & World Report.
The academic medical center has earned Magnet Recognition becoming the only hospital in southern Arizona to meet the rigorous standards of the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program® for nursing excellence.
The hospital's physicians are full-time faculty of the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson.
Our specialty services include comprehensive heart and cancer care, advanced neuroscience techniques and a multi-organ transplant program.
This position provides direct care to psychiatric patients working under the direction of a registered nurse.
Core functions 1.
Provides basic nursing care to patients including technical monitoring, taking vital signs and physical care.
Orients patients to treatment setting and assists with activities of daily living as needed.
Reviews and participates in implementation of the patient treatment plan.
Makes rounds and monitors patients activities, physical and mental status and reports to nursing staff.
Checks patient belongings for contraband.
Conducts a variety of patient safety monitoring activities such as observational checks.
Documents observations, interventions, and group activities in the patient medical record while maintaining confidentiality of all health information.
2.
Assists in maintaining a safe, orderly & therapeutic environment.
Maintains patient safety and protects patient rights through observation and reporting patient behaviors, communications, interactions and physical status.
Recognizes patients who are behaving aggressively, acting as a danger to themselves or others, or are in a crisis or medical emergency situation.
Provides intervention including, but not limited to, redirecting of patient and/or participating in restraint or seclusion as needed.
3.
Assesses and interacts therapeutically with patients and families.
Provides treatment that promotes patient dignity, independence, individuality, strengths, privacy, and choice.
Demonstrates respect for cultural diversity and patient boundaries.
Plans and facilitates social and didactic group activities.
May participate in other rehabilitation and treatment programs.
4. Provides quality patient care by maintaining knowledge and skill level related to the symptoms and treatment of behavioral disorders relevant to position responsibilities and in accordance with state agency regulations. Maintains knowledge to identify types of medications commonly prescribed for patient group and the common side effects and adverse reactions of the medications.
5. Assists in the admission, discharge and transfer process of patients and completes required documentation in the patient medical record.
6. Position completes work under moderate supervision. Position interacts with all levels of clinical staff on assigned unit/program and members of the multidisciplinary teams, as well as patients, families, and medical and psychiatric physicians.
Requires a Bachelor’s Degree in a behavioral health related field OR High School diploma or equivalent with 1 year of direct patient care in an inpatient behavioral health setting.
This should include but is not limited to experience in an inpatient psychiatric facility; assisting with personal grooming and other activities of daily living; conducting educational, recreational and skills groups appropriate to current patient population; creating, maintaining, and encouraging an inpatient therapeutic milieu; maintaining observation precautions and applying non-violent de-escalation interventions in crisis situations; recognizing the common symptoms of mental illness such as depression, psychosis, mood dysregulation, substance abuse, maladaptive behavior, and anxiety; understanding how symptoms are related the patient’s mental illness diagnosis and providing ordered treatment interventions appropriate to the diagnosis. Such experience is commonly achieved in care of patients in psychiatric acute care hospitals, inpatient psychiatric facilities and State hospital programs. Some outpatient programs, therapeutic group home and residential programs may meet the experience criteria. Concentration on skills and experiences demonstrating competence in building therapeutic rapport, developing collaborative relationships with the multidisciplinary team, de-escalation techniques and limit setting.
Employees working at Banner Behavioral Health Hospital, BTMC Behavioral or BUMG, BUMCT in a Behavioral Health clinical setting that serves children must possess an Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card at the time of hire and maintain the card for the duration of their employment. An Arizona Criminal History Affidavit must be signed upon hire. Employees working in any Banner Staffing (BSS) Behavioral Health role in Arizona must possess a State of Arizona Department of Public Safety Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card at the time of hire and maintain the card for the duration of their employment. Employees working at BUMCS in a Behavioral Health clinical setting must possess an Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card at the time of hire and maintain the card for the duration of their employment.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is also required.
Meets age requirement as specified by state agency.
Additional related education and/or experience preferred.
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Requires a Bachelor’s Degree in a behavioral health field or a High School diploma with at least 1 year of direct inpatient behavioral health experience. Must possess a Basic Life Support (BLS) certification and an Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card.
Market context
Behavioral health employers in Arizona often look for candidates who can connect directly with clients through lived experience and strong community-based support skills. These roles can be competitive because they may require a high school diploma, a preferred bachelor’s degree, and quick completion of Peer Support Certification, along with a valid Arizona driver’s license and fingerprint clearance. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save research time, then confirm your certification timeline and clearance readiness before applying.