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Behavioral Health Specialist – Burnet Emergency Department (ED)

Expected Starting Salary Range: $21.00 – $24.05

Location/Unit: Burnet Emergency Department

Shift/Hours/FTE: Nights – 36 hrs weekly – 0.9 FTE

Benefits Eligibility: Full-Time Benefits Eligible

Working as a Behavioral Health Specialist (BHS) in the Emergency Department at Cincinnati Children’s 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 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; 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 preferred

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