Behavioral Health Specialist, Residential Psychiatry

Job description:

The Behavioral Health Specialist role at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital involves providing direct patient care and leading group programming for youth facing severe psychological challenges. Candidates should have a high school diploma and at least 2 years of relevant experience, with a preference for a bachelor's degree in a related field. Key skills include Therapeutic Crisis Intervention, Behavioral Interventions, and effective communication. The position offers a competitive salary and benefits, including medical coverage and tuition reimbursement.

Behavioral Health Specialist, Residential Psychiatry

• Expected Starting Salary Range: $21.00 - $24.05       
• Location/Unit: College Hill – Residential Department
• Shift/Hours/FTE: Rotating Day/Evening - 32 hrs weekly - 0.8 FTE
• Benefits Eligibility: Full-Time Benefits Eligible

Behavioral Health Specialist - A Day in the Life

Working as a Behavioral Health Specialist (BHS) at Cincinnati Children’s 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 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.

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

College Hill Campus
 

Schedule

Full time
 

Shift

Rotating (United States of America)

Department

College Hill Residential
 

Employee Status

Regular
 

FTE

0.8

Weekly Hours

32
 

*Expected Starting Pay Range

*Annualized pay may vary based on FTE status

$21.00 - $25.72

Market Leading Benefits Including*:  

• Medical coverage starting day one of employment. View employee benefits here. 
• Competitive retirement plans  
• Tuition reimbursement for continuing education  
• Expansive employee discount programs through our many community partners  
• Shift Differential, Weekend Differential, and Weekend Option Pay Programs for qualified positions 
• Support through Employee Resource Groups such as African American Professionals Advisory Council, Asian Cultural and Professional Group, EQUAL - LGBTQA Resource Group, Juntos - Hispanic/Latin Resource Group, Veterans and Military Family Advocacy Network, and Young Professionals (YP) Resource Group  

Physical and mental health wellness programs  

Relocation assistance available for qualified positions 

*Benefits may vary based on FTE Status and Position Type 

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. If you want to be the best you can be, you can do it at Cincinnati Children’s. 

 Cincinnati Children's is: 

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

 We Embrace Innovation—Together.  We believe in empowering our teams with the tools that help us work smarter and care better. That’s why we support the responsible use of artificial intelligence. By encouraging innovation, we’re creating space for new ideas, better outcomes, and a stronger future—for all of us. 

Comprehensive job description provided upon request.

Cincinnati Children’s 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