Inpatient Mental Health Specialist

About Children’s Minnesota

Children’s Minnesota is one of the largest pediatric health systems in the United States and the only health system in Minnesota to provide care exclusively to children, from before birth through young adulthood. An independent and not-for-profit system since 1924, Children’s Minnesota is one system serving kids throughout the Upper Midwest at two free-standing hospitals, nine primary care clinics, multiple specialty clinics and seven rehabilitation sites. As The Kids Experts™ in our region, Children’s Minnesota is regularly ranked by U.S. News & World Report as a top children’s hospital. Find us on Facebook @childrensminnesota or on Twitter and Instagram @childrensmn. Please visit childrensMN.org.

Children’s Minnesota is proud to be recognized by Modern Healthcare as one of 2023’s Top Diversity Leaders. The national honor recognizes the top diverse healthcare executives and organizations influencing public policy, care delivery, and promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in their organizations and the industry.

Department Overview

Our St Paul Mental Health Unit is a 22-bed unit that serves patients in a mental health crisis. We range from 6-years of age to 18-years of age. Our patients have an average length of stay ranging from five to seven days. Patients are cared for by strong inter-disciplinary teams that include program therapists, registered nurses, psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, occupational therapists, music therapist, art therapist, child life specialist, unit operations coordinator and mental health specialists. We rely on teamwork, with open and respectful communication, and promote an environment that encourages learning and professional growth. Our team is committed to providing excellent care to our patients and families.

Position Summary

The Mental Health Specialist is responsible for providing direct patient care to children and adolescents with behavioral challenges or a mental health diagnosis based on the individual treatment plan. Under the direction of a Registered Nurse, they assist with collecting data regarding a patient's physical, psychological, or safety status on an ongoing basis. The Mental Health Specialist may assist patients in establishing daily therapeutic goals or participate in facilitation of therapeutic patient groups. They are responsible for continually monitoring the department milieu and patient spaces to assess for any potential hazards or personal patient safety concerns. Utilizing a therapeutic approach, the Mental Health Specialist may assist with de-escalation or implementing behavioral modification and management when appropriate. This role may float to provide care and support for all mental health patients throughout the mental health care continuum including outside the inpatient mental health unit within the Children's MN system