Behavioral Health Specialist, Liberty ED

Behavioral Health Specialist Liberty Emergency Department (ED)

Expected Starting Salary Range: $21.00 $24.05

Location/Unit: Liberty Emergency Department

Shift/Hours/FTE: Nights 24 hrs weekly 0.6 FTE

Benefits Eligibility: Part-Time Benefits Eligible

Working as a Behavioral Health Specialist (BHS) in the Emergency Department at Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center, you will:

• 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 similar to classroom-style management
• Observe and document patient behavior to support clinical decision-making and disposition planning

BEHAVIORAL SUPPORT & SAFETY MANAGEMENT

• 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

PLAN OF CARE EXECUTION

• 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

PATIENT ENGAGEMENT & BEHAVIORAL MANAGEMENT

• 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

DOCUMENTATION & COMMUNICATION

• Complete timely and accurate documentation
• Communicate behavioral updates to the care team
• Participate in shift handoffs and team huddles

QUALIFICATIONS

Required: High school diploma or equivalent AND 2 years of experience in a related field

Preferred: Bachelors 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

Primary Location

Liberty Campus

Schedule

Part time

Shift

Night (United States of America)

Department

Liberty Emergency Department

Employee Status

Regular

FTE

0.6

Weekly Hours

24

• Expected Starting Pay Range
• Annualized pay may vary based on FTE status

$21.00 - $25.72

About Us

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 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 Americas Best Large Employers (2025), Americas Best Employers for New Grads (2025)

• One of the nation's Americas 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 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