Jasper Erwin Tolarba
The article describes the Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) model and the roles of psychiatric-mental health advanced practice nurses (PMHAPNs). PMHAPNs contribute as clinicians, educators, coordinators, and researchers, strengthening behavioral health integration. The BIT model should be adapted to local contexts for acute care settings.
PURPOSE: The current article describes the structure and operational context of the Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) model, delineates the clinical and systems-level roles of the psychiatric-mental health advanced practice nurse (PMHAPN), and examines interprofessional collaboration within this integrated care approach.
METHOD: A descriptive, practice-focused approach was used to character ize the BIT model of care as implement ed in a tertiary academic health center.
RESULTS: PMHAPNs make unique, multifocal contributions as clinician, educator, coordinator, and researcher, and contribute to reported and observed outcomes associated with the BIT model.
CONCLUSION: The BIT model demonstrates how embedded PMHAPNs can strengthen behavioral health integration, interprofessional collaboration, and nursing workforce support in acute care settings. Its implementation should be adapted to local regulatory, organizational, and resource contexts.