Behavioral Health Specialist, Adolescent Psychiatry

CINCINNATI CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center is seeking a Behavioral Health Specialist to provide direct patient care in a team-based environment. You will support therapeutic outcomes by leading group activities, implementing token economies, and documenting observations.

The role involves crisis intervention, care planning, and collaboration with interdisciplinary teams; requires a high school diploma and 2 years of related experience, with a preferred bachelor’s degree.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent AND 2 years of related work experience.
• Preferred: Bachelor's degree in a related field (no experience required).

Responsibilities

• Milieu Management: Create a safe, stable and nurturing environment; use a token economy to reinforce positive behaviors; support patients with mood disorders, trauma and other conditions; respond to crises using Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI).
• Plan of Care: Implement individualized care plans and assist with activities of daily living; monitor observations and maintain designated observation status.
• Group Programming: Lead structured group activities and adapt delivery to developmental needs; observe behavior and participate in problem-solving.
• Therapeutic Relationships: Build rapport while maintaining professional boundaries and recognizing trauma impacts.
• Documentation: Complete shift notes, incident reports, safety checks; participate in shift reports and handoffs.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Job description

Primary Location
College Hill A
Department
Talent Acquisition
Shift
Rotating (United States of America)
Schedule
Full time
Weekly Hours
32
FTE
0.8
Employee Status
Regular

*Expected Starting Pay Range
$21.14 - $26.47
*Starting pay is based on experience, skills, and equity; exceptions may apply for highly qualified candidates. Additional pay (e.g., shift, on‑call, or weekend differentials) and benefits may apply.Annual pay may vary based on FTE status.

Expected Starting Salary Range: $21.14 - $24.05

Location/Unit : College Hill – Adolescent Department

Shift/Hours/FTE : Rotating Day/Evening; Full and Part-Time (every other weekend required)

Benefits Eligibility: Benefits Eligible (Full and Part-Time)

Behavioral Health Specialist - A Day in the Life

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!

Job 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.

Qualifications

• Required: High school diploma or equivalent AND 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline OR
• Preferred: Bachelor's degree in a related field (no experience required)

About Us

At Cincinnati Children’s, we come to work with one goal: to make children’s health better. We believe in a holistic team approach, both in caring for patients and their families, and in advancing science and discovery. We strive to do better and find energy and inspiration in our shared purpose. If you want to be the best you can be, you can do it at Cincinnati Children’s.

Cincinnati Children's is:

• Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 10 best Children's Hospitals in the nation for more than 15 years
• Consistently among the top 3 Children's Hospitals for National Institutes of Health (NIH) Funding
• Recognized as one of America’s Best Large Employers (2025) , America’s Best Employers for New Grads (2025)
• One of the nation's America’s Most Innovative Companies as noted by Fortune
• Consistently certified as great place to work
• A Leading Disability Employer as noted by the National Organization on Disability
• Magnet® designated for the fourth consecutive time by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

We Embrace Innovation—Together. We believe in empowering our teams with the tools that help us work smarter and care better. That’s why we support the responsible use of artificial intelligence. By encouraging innovation, we’re creating space for new ideas, better outcomes, and a stronger future—for all of us.

Comprehensive job description provided upon request.

Cincinnati Children’s is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an environment of dignity and respect for all our employees, patients, and families. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, genetic information, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. EEO/Veteran/Disability