Behavioral Health Specialist, Psychiatry Float Pool

Expected Starting Salary Range: $21.00 - $24.05

Location/Unit: College Hill Float Pool

Shift/Hours/FTE: Rotating Evening/Night - PRN/Standby

Benefits Eligibility: Not Benefits Eligible

Behavioral Health Specialist - A Day in the Life

Working as a Behavioral Health Specialist (BHS) at Cincinnati Childrens 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 arms-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 (experience not required but preferred)

Primary Location

Schedule

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*Expected Starting Pay Range

*Annualized pay may vary based on FTE status

At Cincinnati Childrens, we come to work with one goal: to make childrens 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 Childrens.

Cincinnati Children's is:

• Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as atop 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 Americas Best Large Employers (2025), Americas Best Employers for New Grads (2025)

• One of the nation'sAmericas Most Innovative Companiesas noted by Fortune

• Consistently certified as great place to work

• A Leading Disability Employeras noted by theNational Organization on Disability

• Magnet designated for the fourth consecutive time by theAmerican Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

We Embrace InnovationTogether. We believe in empowering our teams with the tools that help us work smarter and care better. Thats why we support the responsible use of artificial intelligence. By encouraging innovation, were creating space for new ideas, better outcomes, and a stronger futurefor all of us.

Comprehensive job description provided upon request.

Cincinnati Childrens 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

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