Crisis Specialist-4

10 Nationwide Children's Hospital; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 56,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Nationwide Children’s Hospital is seeking a licensed professional to provide trauma‑informed crisis intervention and pediatric behavioral health support under supervision. You will respond to crises, document actions, and escalate care when needed while collaborating with an interdisciplinary team to promote safe, age‑appropriate care.

The role emphasizes de‑escalation, patient and family engagement, and training staff in trauma‑informed interventions and safe discharge planning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a Social Services field required.
• CPR certification (American Heart Association or Red Cross) or completion within 90 days of hire required.
• First Aid course completion within 90 days of hire required.
• Experience in a Mental Health setting preferred.

Responsibilities

• Engage with interdisciplinary team in specialized patient care activities.
• Support medical personnel and reinforce safe behaviors using de‑escalation techniques.
• Establish therapeutic relationships with patients, families, and teams using trauma‑informed care.
• Initiate and lead multi‑disciplinary discussions on behavioral interventions during admission.
• Discuss safe discharge planning with treatment teams and families.
• Assist with physical crisis intervention and restraint techniques per policy.
• Lead and reinforce symptom management and coping skills.
• Complete daily EMR audits to ensure readiness and accurate documentation.
• Educate hospital personnel on trauma‑informed care and de‑escalation.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Crisis de-escalation

Self-motivation

Collaboration

Assessment & treatment for children

Written & verbal communication

Calm under pressure

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Social Services

Job description

Overview

Job Description Summary: Utilizes trauma-informed care while promoting health and well-being through crisis intervention and prevention strategies under the direction and supervision of a licensed clinician. Responds to crises, documents, identifies and proactively manages patient escalation, and provides related training. Demonstrates competence in providing age-appropriate, trauma-informed care and service for pediatric patients.

Essential Functions

• Engages with the interdisciplinary team in specialized patient care activities.
• Provides support to medical personnel and reinforces safe and preferred behavior with a therapeutic, calm approach while maintaining boundaries, setting limits, and utilizing de‑scalation techniques.
• Effectively establishes therapeutic relationships with patients, families, and treatment teams using trauma-informed care.
• Initiates and leads multi-disciplinary discussions regarding behavioral interventions throughout admission.
• Engages in discussions related to safe discharge from the hospital with treatment teams and families.
• Assists with physical crisis intervention techniques and restraint techniques during crises per policy.
• This often includes leading and reinforcing symptom management and coping skills.
• Completes daily audits of electronic medical record to facilitate response readiness and ensure accurate documentation.
• Provides education to hospital personnel regarding trauma-informed care, de‑scalation techniques, and appropriate interventions to manage diverse behavioral and medical manifestations.

Education Requirement

Bachelor’s Degree in a Social Services field, required.

Certifications

• CPR certified (American Heart Association CPR for Family and Friends) course or Red Cross equivalent, or completion within 90 days after hire, required.
• First Aid course completion required within 90 after hire.

Skills

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to motivate and lead staff, as well as to represent the agency and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work well with minimal direction; is detail-oriented and self-motivated.
• Demonstrates ability to establish and maintain productive and collaborative multi-disciplinary relationships.
• Demonstrates skills in providing assessment and treatment to children and adolescents.
• Good written and verbal communication, interpersonal and problem‑solving skills.
• Must be able to maintain a calm and professional demeanor while managing crises.

Experience

Experience in a Mental Health setting preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Physical Requirements: OCCASIONALLY: Biohazard waste, Blood and/or Bodily Fluids, Communicable Diseases and/or Pathogens, Electricity, Fume /Gases /Vapors, Hand use: grasping, gripping, turning, Lifting / Carrying: 11-20 lbs, Lifting / Carrying: 21-40 lbs, Patient Equipment, Pushing / Pulling: 100 lbs or greater with assistance, Pushing / Pulling: 41-60 lbs, Pushing / Pulling: 61-100 lbs, Working Outdoors FREQUENTLY: Bend/twist, Climb stairs/ladder, Lifting / Carrying: 0-10 lbs, Pushing / Pulling: 0-25 lbs, Pushing / Pulling: 26-40 lbs, Reaching above shoulder, Squat/kneel CONTINUOUSLY: Audible speech, Color vision, Computer skills, Decision Making, Depth perception, Flexing/extending of neck, Hearing acuity, Interpreting Data, Peripheral vision, Problem solving, Repetitive hand/arm use, Seeing – Far/near, Sitting, Standing, Walking Additional Physical Requirements performed but not listed above: Able to successfully pass NCH‑endorsed crisis intervention model workshop. Rapid Physical Response required.

The above list of duties is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this classification. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties performed by the individuals so classified, nor is it intended to limit or modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under their supervision.

EOE M/F/Disability/Vet

The moment you walk through our doors, you feel it. When you meet our patient families, you believe it. And when you talk with anyone who works here, you want to be part of it. Welcome to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Where Passion Meets Purpose. Here, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are integrated into our core values and practices. We are passionate about building, sustaining and evolving an inclusive and equitable environment. We are seeking individuals who live these values and want to share their experiences and efforts in support of our collective mission. We’re 15,000 strong. And it takes every one of us to improve the lives of the kids we care for, and the kids around the world we’ll never meet. Kids who live healthier, fuller lives because of the knowledge we share. We know it takes a Collaborative Culture to deliver on our promise to provide the very best, innovative care and to foster new discoveries, made possible by the most groundbreaking research. Anywhere. Ask anyone with a Nationwide Children’s badge what they do for a living. They’ll tell you it’s More Than a Job. It’s a calling. It’s a chance to use and grow your talent to make an impact that truly matters. Because here, we exist simply to help children everywhere. Nationwide Children’s Hospital. A Place to Be Proud.