Behavioral Health Specialist, Adolescent Psychiatry
About The Position
Working as a Behavioral Health Specialist (BHS) at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, you will enjoy: Leading and co-leading group programming to support therapeutic outcomes. Implementing a token economy to reinforce positive behaviors, promote skill-building, and support progress toward discharge goals. Providing direct patient care in a team-based setting and collaborating with an interdisciplinary team to ensure the best outcomes. Implementing individualized patient care plans and documenting behavioral observations. Establishing a safe, stable, and nurturing environment for youth in crisis. A state-of-the-art mental health facility that opened in October 2023!
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent AND 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor's degree in a related field (experience not required but preferred)
Responsibilities
- Milieu Management: Create a safe, stable, and nurturing environment that fosters support and consistency.
- Implement a token economy to reinforce positive behaviors.
- Support patients with a variety of severe psychological/psychiatric difficulties, including mood disorders, disruptive/aggressive behavior, self-harm, anxiety, psychosis, eating disorders, intellectual disability and neurodevelopmental disorders who often have histories including significant psychosocial stressors and trauma.
- Proactively prevent and respond to crises using Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) strategies, including verbal de-escalation and physical interventions when necessary due to imminent risk.
- Lead and intervene in behavioral crises, apply appropriate strategies based on the Stress Model of Crisis and individualized treatment plans.
- Conduct safety checks, room searches, and patient safety searches.
- Follow policies and collaborate with the interdisciplinary team.
- Plan of Care: Implement individualized care plans, including behavioral interventions and support for activities of daily living (bathing, feeding, toileting).
- Provide care primarily in group settings, with individualized programming as needed per treatment team recommendations.
- Maintain designated observation status (e.g., continuous observation, 15-minute checks, remaining within arm’s-length of patient).
- Group Programming: Lead structured group programming and facilitate patient engagement; adjust delivery to meet developmental needs of patients, observe behavior and participate in problem-solving
- Therapeutic Relationships: Build rapport while maintaining professional boundaries.
- Recognize trauma impacts and use developmentally appropriate therapeutic communication.
- Contribute to team planning and patient-centered care discussions.
- Documentation: Complete accurate and timely documentation, including shift notes, incident documentation (e.g., restraint, seclusion), and safety checks.
- Summarize what happens before and after target behaviors.
- Actively participate in shift reports, safe handoff procedures, and data collection.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Part-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
