Mental Health Specialist I - Psychiatric Crisis Department (Days)

Nationwide Children's Hospital•Columbus, OH

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is for a Mental Health Specialist I in the Psychiatric Crisis Department, focusing on basic supportive and trauma-informed care for patients and families under the supervision of a registered nurse or clinical supervisor. The role involves participating in specialized patient care with an interdisciplinary team, managing patient assignments, and building therapeutic relationships through effective communication and education. Key responsibilities include providing trauma-informed care, utilizing positive reinforcement, and ensuring staff and patient safety through de-escalation, limit setting, and physical interventions. The specialist will also collaborate with other healthcare professionals on treatment plans and serve as a resource for unit staff on diagnoses, behavior plans, relationship-based care, protective equipment, and crisis management. The available shifts are day shift (7:00am-3:30pm) with options for 32 hours (0.8 FTE) or 24 hours (0.6 FTE) per week. Every other weekend is required, and the specialist is expected to float to other Behavioral Health nursing units as directed by leadership. Nationwide Children's Hospital emphasizes a collaborative culture and a commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, aiming to improve the lives of children through innovative care and groundbreaking research.

Requirements

High School Diploma or equivalent
Current enrollment in and completion of half a Psychology, Social Work, or related undergraduate program, or equivalent experience
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association required prior to finishing unit-based orientation (due within 90 days of hire), must maintain certification
Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) certification provided by the organization, required prior to finishing unit-based orientation (due within 90 days of hire), and maintain certification
First Aid certification by the organization, required prior to finishing unit-based orientation (due within 90 days of hire), and maintain certification
Effective written and verbal communication, interpersonal and problem-solving skills
One year of hospital experience in a mental health role within the past three years, or equivalent education

Responsibilities

Participates with the interdisciplinary team in specialized patient care.
Cares for patient assignment as delegated.
Effectively establishes therapeutic relationships with patients and families on the unit including but not limited to effective communication and education.
Provides trauma-informed care, utilizes positive reinforcement and operates within a therapeutic relationship, maintains staff and patient safety through de-escalation, limit setting, and physical interventions.
Collaborates with other healthcare professionals to develop treatment plans.
Acts as a resource to unit staff regarding diagnoses, behavior plans, relationship based care, protective equipment, crisis management.