Behavioral Health Specialist, Adolescent Psychiatry - DECEMBER GRADS WELCOME!

Cincinnati Children's•College Hill, TX

8h•$21 - $26•Onsite

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Specialist (BHS) works with adolescents experiencing severe psychological or psychiatric difficulties in a team-based setting at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. The role creates a safe, stable, and nurturing environment; implements individualized care plans and behavioral interventions; supports activities of daily living; and provides care primarily in groups, with individualized programming as directed by the treatment team. The BHS collaborates with an interdisciplinary team, builds therapeutic relationships while maintaining professional boundaries, and documents patient observations, care, and incidents accurately and promptly. The position includes leading structured group programming, using a token economy to reinforce positive behaviors and build skills, monitoring patients according to designated observation levels, and proactively preventing and responding to crises. Crisis responses may include verbal de-escalation and physical interventions when necessary due to imminent risk, using Therapeutic Crisis Intervention strategies and individualized treatment plans. The position is based in the College Hill Adolescent Department and has a rotating day/evening schedule, with every other weekend required. Full- and part-time schedules are offered.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent and 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Ability to perform the described patient care, behavioral support, documentation, and crisis response responsibilities.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in a related field; no experience is required for this preferred qualification.

Responsibilities

Create a safe, stable, and nurturing milieu that fosters support and consistency.
Implement a token economy to reinforce positive behaviors, promote skill-building, and support progress toward discharge goals.
Support patients with severe psychological or psychiatric difficulties, including mood disorders, disruptive or aggressive behavior, self-harm, anxiety, psychosis, eating disorders, intellectual disability, and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Proactively prevent and respond to crises using Therapeutic Crisis Intervention strategies, including verbal de-escalation and physical interventions when necessary due to imminent risk.
Lead and intervene in behavioral crises, applying 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.
Implement individualized care plans, behavioral interventions, and support for activities of daily living such as bathing, feeding, and toileting.
Provide care primarily in group settings and individualized programming as needed per treatment team recommendations.
Maintain designated observation status, such as continuous observation, 15-minute checks, or remaining within arm’s-length of a patient.
Lead structured group programming, facilitate patient engagement, adjust delivery to patients’ developmental needs, observe behavior, and participate in problem-solving.
Build rapport while maintaining professional boundaries; recognize the impacts of trauma and use developmentally appropriate therapeutic communication.
Contribute to team planning and patient-centered care discussions.
Complete accurate and timely shift notes, incident documentation, safety checks, and other required documentation; summarize events before and after target behaviors.
Participate in shift reports, safe handoff procedures, and data collection.