Behavioral Health Specialist, Liberty ED
About The Position
Behavioral Health Specialist – Liberty Emergency Department (ED) Expected Starting Salary Range: $21.00 – $24.05 Location/Unit: Liberty Emergency Department Shift/Hours/FTE: Nights – 36 hrs weekly – 0.9 FTE Benefits Eligibility: Full-Time Benefits Eligible Working as a Behavioral Health Specialist (BHS) in the Liberty Emergency Department at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, you will: Provide direct behavioral support to patients presenting in acute psychiatric or behavioral crisis within a fast-paced, high-acuity ED environment Collaborate closely with nurses, providers, social work, and psychiatry to ensure safe, coordinated care Monitor and respond to changing patient behaviors in real time across multiple rooms or care areas Maintain a safe, structured environment for multiple patients simultaneously, using proactive behavioral management strategies similar to classroom-style management Observe and document patient behavior to support clinical decision-making and disposition planning
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent AND 2 years of experience in a related field OR bachelor's degree in psychology or a related field (no experience required)
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, education, or related field
- Experience in emergency department, psychiatric, behavioral health, education (classroom management), or patient care technician roles
- Familiarity with crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, or behavior management techniques strongly preferred
Responsibilities
- Provide continuous behavioral monitoring and support for patients in crisis
- Maintain safety for multiple patients at once using proactive behavioral management and de-escalation techniques
- Apply Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) strategies, including verbal de-escalation and physical interventions when necessary
- Anticipate and intervene early with escalating behaviors to minimize risk
- Conduct safety checks, patient observations, and environmental rounding
- Implement components of individualized behavioral care plans
- Support basic patient needs and comfort measures
- Maintain ordered observation levels and adhere to safety protocols
- Adapt approach based on patient acuity and volume
- Use structured communication and limit-setting to manage behavior across multiple patients simultaneously
- Balance competing patient needs and priorities
- Build rapport quickly while maintaining professional boundaries
- Apply trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate interventions
- Complete timely and accurate documentation
- Communicate behavioral updates to the care team
- Participate in shift handoffs and team huddles
Benefits
- Full-Time Benefits Eligible
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
High school or GED
