Behavioral Health Specialist, Autism Early Intervention Program

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center • Cincinnati, OH

219d • $21 - $24

About The Position

At Cincinnati Children's, we come to work with one goal: to make children's health better. We believe in a holistic team approach, both in caring for patients and their families, and in advancing science and discovery. We strive to do better and find energy and inspiration in our shared purpose. If you want to be the best you can be, you can do it at Cincinnati Children's. Cincinnati Children's is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 10 best children's hospitals in the nation for more than 15 years, second among all children's hospitals for National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding, and recognized as one of America's Best Large Employers (2025) and America's Best Employers for New Grads (2024). This is an exciting opportunity to grow professionally while making a meaningful impact on the lives of young patients and their families. As a Behavioral Health Specialist (BHS), you'll be part of a collaborative, team-based care model in a dynamic, classroom-style setting. Your role could include working with multiple patients throughout the day, supporting a long-term 1:1 assignment, or leading instruction in a specific therapeutic environment or group skill area.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent AND 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline OR
• Bachelor's degree in psychology or a related field (experience not required but preferred)
• Familiarity with applied behavior analysis
• Familiarity with autism spectrum disorder

Responsibilities

• Manage care across multiple physical locations in a preschool-like setting.
• Provide instruction, planning, and behavior management to small groups of children with ASD.
• Maintain group integrity through structure, safety, planning, participation and support.
• Instruct and teach behavioral skills to patients and families.
• Perform environmental checks and adhere to treatment schedules.
• Implement behavior reduction interventions.
• Apply individualized behavior and learning plans.
• Emphasize functional communication and early intervention targets.
• Prevent and respond to behavior protocols in a team setting.
• Maintain safe, organized work areas and ensure treatment schedules are on track.
• Follow all policies, procedures and data recording protocols.
• Prepare materials for diverse patient needs.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and provide feedback on interventions.
• Deliver direct care in both group and 1:1 settings.
• Implement and document patient data for individualized learning plans.
• Conduct behavioral assessments and apply ABA teaching protocols.
• Teach related daily living skills appropriate for early intervention aged children (e.g., feeding, toileting, dressing).
• Involve families/support systems in treatment under psychologist supervision.
• Report patient progress to supervising psychologist.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team and participate in scheduled reviews.
• Attend regular team planning meetings.
• Support patient care and training for parents/staff.
• Implement discipline-specific interventions after modeling and integrity checks.
• Lead/co-lead psychoeducational groups for young children with ASD.
• Modify group activities to align with treatment goals and patient needs.
• Plan group content and objectives proactively.
• Assess behavioral function and implement protocols as part of the outpatient team.
• Apply behavior assessment protocols from supervising psychologist.
• Analyze antecedents and consequences affecting behavior.
• Implement both individualized and group intervention plans.
• Contribute to problem-solving for behavioral-educational treatments.
• Participate in multidisciplinary team staffing (psychology, speech, OT).
• Practice Relationship-Based Care with professional boundaries.
• Recognize personal values' impact on therapeutic relationships.
• Engage patients at their developmental level and readiness.
• Understand autism's impact on communication and relationships.
• Facilitate social-communication interventions among enrolled children.
• Build therapeutic relationships through care interactions and 1:1 assignments.
• Use therapeutic communication, empathy, and unconditional positive regard.
• Join team planning meetings and assist in parent/staff training.
• Help train external school staff, parents, and community agencies.
• Support creation and management of program materials and special projects.
• Complete care plan documentation accurately and on time.
• Collaborate with care team on updates to behavioral and educational plans.
• Ensure timely and accurate completion of all required documentation.
• Assist with data collection, management, and graphing of treatment plans.
• Update program documents under supervisor direction to reflect treatment progress.

Benefits

• Medical coverage starting day 1 of employment.
• Competitive retirement plans
• Tuition reimbursement for continuing education
• Expansive employee discount programs through our many community partners
• Shift Differential, Weekend Differential, and Weekend Option Pay Programs
• Referral bonus program for current staff!
• Support through Employee Resource Groups such as African American Professionals Advisory Council, Asian Cultural and Professional Group, EQUAL - LGBTQA Resource Group, Juntos - Hispanic/Latin Resource Group, Veterans and Military Family Advocacy Network, and Young Professionals (YP) Resource Group
• Physical and mental health wellness programs
• Relocation assistance available for qualified positions

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Ambulatory Health Care Services
• Education Level: High school or GED