Night-Shift Behavioral Health Specialist (ED)

Cincinnati Children's; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 29,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full-Time Benefits Eligible

Job summary

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center is seeking a Behavioral Health Specialist for the Burnet Emergency Department to support patients in acute psychiatric or behavioral crisis within a fast-paced ED setting.

You will collaborate with nurses, providers, social work, and psychiatry to ensure safe, coordinated care, monitor patient behaviors, and maintain a therapeutic, structured environment across multiple rooms.

Qualifications

• Required: 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)
• Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, education, or related field; experience in ED, psychiatric, behavioral health, education, or patient care technician roles; familiarity with crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, or behavior management techniques preferred

Responsibilities

• 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
• Observe and document patient behavior to support clinical decision-making and disposition planning
• 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

Skills

Crisis intervention

Trauma-informed care

Behavior management

De-escalation techniques

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, education, or related field

Job description

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center is seeking a Behavioral Health Specialist for the Burnet Emergency Department to support patients in acute psychiatric or behavioral crisis within a fast-paced ED setting.

You will collaborate with nurses, providers, social work, and psychiatry to ensure safe, coordinated care, monitor patient behaviors, and maintain a therapeutic, structured environment across multiple rooms.