The Center for Behavioral Health at Baptist Hospital East is an interesting and challenging area, providing physical and emotional care for patients in varied inpatient and outpatient settings. Services are located in the 3950 and 4002 buildings at the St. Matthews campus. The services of behavioral health are closely allied with and supported by the other areas of the hospital.

Beginning in the Psychiatric and Chemical Dependency Access Center, patients come to the hospital for help with a variety if mental health and substance abuse problems. Experienced registered nurses (certified in mental health) and behavioral health counselors -- supported by intake staff members -- provide evaluation and crisis intervention at a time when patients and family members are in great distress. With the help of psychiatrists in private practice, decisions are made about the best way to help and the best setting in which help can be provided.

Positions classified as Psychiatric Nursing on the Baptist East Career Center Web site include:

• Psychiatry's inpatient unit. On the Crisis Management unit, mental health technicians, therapists and chaplains provide the basis for a multidisciplinary team that works with patients with varied psychiatric diagnoses. In these areas, psychiatric patients are treated under a medical model of medication, therapy and education.
  
• Psychiatry's outpatient programs. The center has an intensive outpatient and a partial hospitalization program in both chemical dependency and psychiatry for the care of patients who need intensive treatment but do not have a need for the safety of overnight inpatient care. Staff in these programs are from nursing, recreation therapy, behavioral health therapists and pastoral care.
  
• Electroconvulsive Therapy. Inpatient and outpatient Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is provided three mornings a week for select patients who will benefit from this modality. ECT is provided in the Ambulatory Care Unit.

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