Mental Health Safety Specialist I - Child & Adolescent

The Child & Adolescent Unit is a general behavioral health unit that serves school-enrolled patients ages 4 to 18. Our team supports individuals following suicide attempts and provides care for a wide range of diagnoses, including autism spectrum disorder, depression, anxiety, ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and various psychotic disorders.

The Mental Health Safety Specialist I is responsible for assisting in the development and maintenance of a therapeutic environment for patients experiencing emotional disturbance. Also assists with the specialized patient care needs of each individual patient using principles of adult development and knowledge of psychopathology.

Responsibilities:

Clinical Care & Treatment Support

• Follow Behavioral Health Center philosophy, policies, and standards of care.
• Support individualized, family-centered treatment as an active Treatment Team member.
• Assist with assessment, care planning, and implementation of treatment goals.

Patient Engagement & Daily Support

• Build therapeutic relationships that support emotional growth and independence.
• Facilitate educational, social, and recreational group activities.
• Assist patients with activities of daily living, hygiene, meals, and personal organization.

Safety, Crisis Response & Milieu Management

• Maintain unit safety through regular environmental and milieu monitoring.
• Respond to crises using least-restrictive, age-appropriate interventions.
• Participate in restraints when necessary, and monitor for early intervention needs.
• Conduct and support safety drills, training, and incident reviews.

Documentation & Unit Operations

• Document patient interactions, safety concerns, and interventions accurately.
• Support admissions, hearings, visitation monitoring, and compliance with safety protocols.
• Participate in crisis and restraint debriefings to reinforce learning and reduce risk.

• Associate Degree with 2 years work experience within MH/MR service

  OR

• Bachelors degree in a Human Services field such as Social Work, Psychology or Counseling from an accredited College or University required.

• Other fields of study may be considered with coursework of at least 12 credits in Human Services.

• May in the course of their job duties be in rooms where medications are stored.

• No contact with medications is allowed.

• Requirements to advance to Mental Health Safety Specialist II: Actively participates in 1 hospital-based safety related committee/council and shares updates in department meetings.

• Participates as a trainer and/or actor in CCM, ACT, or other crisis related training(s) and provides (min. 1) unit-based crisis related in-services.

• Leadership letter of recommendation.

ATTENTION: IF YOU HAVE A BACHELOR'S DEGREE, A COPY OF YOUR OFFICIAL BACHELOR’S DEGREE LEVEL TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE ATTACHED FOR CONSIDERATION.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:
CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire

• Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Comprehensive Crisis Management (CCMC)
• Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting with renewal
• Act 33 with renewal
• Act 34 with renewal
• Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran