Behavioral Health Specialist, Residential Psychiatry

Primary location: College Hill Campus, Residential Psychiatry department. Part-time role (24 hours weekly, 0.6 FTE) with rotating day/evening shifts.

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.

• 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) and America’s Best Employers for New Grads (2025)
• One of the nation's America’s Most Innovative Companies as noted by Fortune
• Certified as a great place to work and a Leading Disability Employer
• Magnet® designated for the fourth consecutive time by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

A Day in the Life

• Lead and co-lead group programming to support therapeutic outcomes
• Implement a token economy to reinforce positive behaviors, promote skill-building, and support progress toward discharge goals
• Provide direct patient care in a team-based setting and collaborate with an interdisciplinary team to ensure the best outcomes
• Implement individualized patient care plans and document behavioral observations
• Establish a safe, stable, and nurturing environment for youth in crisis
• Work in a state-of-the-art mental health facility that opened in October 2023

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

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent AND 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline OR
• Bachelor's degree in a related field (experience not required but preferred)

Pay

Starting pay range: $21.00 - $25.72 per hour. 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.

Benefits

Part-time benefits eligible.