Mental Health Specialist I - Child Unit - Evenings

Nationwide Children's Hospital•Columbus, OH

About The Position

The Mental Health Specialist I provides basic supportive, trauma-informed care to assigned patients and families under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse or clinical supervisor. This role works with children on the Child Unit and is scheduled for evening shifts from 3:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., at 0.6 FTE (24 hours per week). Every other Saturday and Sunday is required. The specialist is expected to float to other Behavioral Health nursing units as needed at the direction of leadership. The position participates in specialized patient care with the interdisciplinary team, cares for delegated patient assignments, and builds therapeutic relationships with patients and families through communication and education. It uses positive reinforcement, trauma-informed approaches, de-escalation, limit setting, and physical interventions to support therapeutic care and maintain safety. The specialist collaborates with healthcare professionals on treatment plans and serves as a resource to unit staff on diagnoses, behavior plans, relationship-based care, protective equipment, and crisis management.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Current enrollment in and completion of half of an undergraduate program in Psychology, Social Work, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
One year of hospital experience in a mental health role within the past three years, or equivalent education.
Effective written and verbal communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association must be obtained before completing unit-based orientation (within 90 days of hire) and maintained.
Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) certification, provided by the organization, must be obtained before completing unit-based orientation (within 90 days of hire) and maintained.
First Aid certification, provided by the organization, must be obtained before completing unit-based orientation (within 90 days of hire) and maintained.
Ability to perform therapeutic crisis intervention moves and respond rapidly when needed.
Ability to wear and function in helmets and other safety equipment.
Ability to apply body mechanics when lifting or moving patients or equipment, and to move or reposition patients of any weight or size with assistance and/or equipment.

Responsibilities

Participate with the interdisciplinary team in specialized patient care.
Care for patient assignments as delegated.
Establish therapeutic relationships with patients and families through effective communication and education.
Provide trauma-informed care, use positive reinforcement, and operate within a therapeutic relationship.
Maintain staff and patient safety through de-escalation, limit setting, and physical interventions.
Collaborate with other healthcare professionals to develop treatment plans.
Serve as a resource to unit staff regarding diagnoses, behavior plans, relationship-based care, protective equipment, and crisis management.
Float to other Behavioral Health nursing units as needed at the direction of leadership.