Behavioral clinical specialists (BCS) are registered nurses with extensive psychiatric nursing experience. BCS nurses play a vital role in supporting bedside clinical staff and enhancing patient care in our inpatient health care setting. Equipping nurses and staff with tailored behavioral management strategies and effective de-escalation techniques, BCS nurses help identify early signs of distress in patients, ensuring timely interventions. Their training in communication skills and emotional support empowers the clinical staff to manage complex behavioral health situations with confidence.
BCS nurses also facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration, acting as liaisons among nursing, providers, and social work. This coordination ensures that patients receive holistic care that addresses both physical and emotional health needs, promoting an understanding and supportive atmosphere leading to better and safer outcomes for both patients and the healthcare team. The role supports bedside nurses and the entire health care team for some challenging patients but does not take the place of emergent BRRTs or Behavioral Health medical consults.
Members of Cooper’s BCS team are Beth Dunn, BSN, RN; Laura Hunsberger, MSN, RN, PMH-BC; Ann Meyers, BSN, RN; and Lucy Suokhrie, MS, BSN, RN, PMH-BC. To contact a BCS team member, please reach out on TigerConnect “Behavioral Clinical Specialist.”
Cooper behavioral clinical specialists Beth Dunn, BSN, RN; Laura Hunsberger, MSN, RN, PMH-BC; Lucy Suokhrie, MS, BSN, RN, PMH-BC; and Ann Meyers, BSN, RN.