Behavioral Health Specialist, Liberty ED

About the role

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.

Responsibilities

• Maintain 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.

Requirements

• 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; OR experience in emergency department, psychiatric, behavioral health, education (classroom management), or patient care technician roles; familiarity with crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, or behavior management techniques strongly preferred.

Qualifications

• 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; OR experience in emergency department, psychiatric, behavioral health, education (classroom management), or patient care technician roles; familiarity with crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, or behavior management techniques strongly preferred.

Skills

• Proactive behavioral management strategies.
• Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) strategies.
• Structured communication and limit-setting.
• Trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate interventions.

Benefits

Full-Time Benefits Eligible

Pay

$21.00 - $25.72 Annualized pay may vary based on FTE status

Schedule

Nights – 36 hrs weekly – 0.9 FTE