Mental Health Specialist II - Psychiatric Crisis Department (Evenings)

PsychiatryIncludes callIncludes weekendsFull-Time

Listed compensation

Starts at $21 /hr

The week · per this posting

Ask the employer about the work setting, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 24m ago · Verified live

Job Description

  • 0.8 FTE, 32 hours per week
  • Evening Shift 3:00pm-11:30pm, every other weekend required
  • Expected to float to other Behavioral Health nursing units as needed at the direction of leadership

Position Starts at $21.72/hour. Pay to commensurate with experience. $1.80 per hour weekend shift premium

Job Description Summary

Performs basic supportive and trauma-informed care to specified patients and families under the direction and supervision of registered nurse or clinical supervisor.

Job Description

Essential Functions

Participates with the interdisciplinary team in specialized patient care. Cares for patient assignment as delegated.

Effectively establishes therapeutic relationships with patients and families on the unit including but not limited to effective communication and education.

Provides trauma-informed care, utilizes positive reinforcement and operates within a therapeutic relationship, maintains staff and patient safety through de-escalation, limit setting, and physical interventions

Collaborates with other healthcare professionals to develop treatment plans.

Acts as a resource to unit staff regarding diagnoses, behavior plans, relationship based care, protective equipment, crisis management.

Education Requirement

  • Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, Social Work, or related field, or equivalent experience, required
  • Master’s Degree, preferred.

Certifications

Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association required prior to finishing unit-based orientation (due within 90 days of hire), must maintain certification.

Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) certification provided by the organization, required prior to finishing unit-based orientation (due within 90 days of hire), and maintain certification.

First Aid certification by the organization, required prior to finishing unit-based orientation (due within 90 days of hire), and maintain certification.

Skills

Excellent written and verbal communication, interpersonal and problem-solving skills.

Experience

  • One year of hospital experience in a mental health role within the past three years, required.
  • Three years of relevant experience, or equivalent education, required.

Physical Requirements

OCCASIONALLY: Biohazard waste, Blood and/or Bodily Fluids, Communicable Diseases and/or Pathogens, Electricity, Fume /Gases /Vapors, Hand use: grasping, gripping, turning, Lifting / Carrying: 11-20 lbs, Lifting / Carrying: 21-40 lbs, Lifting / Carrying: 41-60 lbs, Loud Noises, Patient Equipment, Pushing / Pulling: 41-60 lbs, Pushing / Pulling: 61-100 lbs, Working Outdoors

FREQUENTLY: Bend/twist, Climb stairs/ladder, Lifting / Carrying: 0-10 lbs, Pushing / Pulling: 0-25 lbs, Pushing / Pulling: 26-40 lbs, Reaching above shoulder, Squat/kneel

CONTINUOUSLY: Audible speech, Color vision, Computer skills, Decision Making, Depth perception, Flexing/extending of neck, Hearing acuity, Interpreting Data, Peripheral vision, Problem solving, Repetitive hand/arm use, Seeing – Far/near, Sitting, Standing, Walking

  • Additional Physical Requirements performed but not listed above:
  • Must be able to perform therapeutic crisis intervention moves (TCI).
  • Able to wear and function in helmets and other safety equipment.
  • Rapid physical response when needed.
  • Applies the principles of body mechanics in lifting or moving patients and/or equipment.

Must be able to move or reposition patients of any weight or size with the assistance of another person(s) and/or equipment.

"The above list of duties is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this classification. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties performed by the individuals so classified, nor is it intended to limit or modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under their supervision. EOE M/F/Disability/Vet"

Key Responsibilities

Provide supportive, trauma-informed care to assigned patients and families under the direction of a registered nurse or clinical supervisor. Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team on treatment plans, build therapeutic relationships, and promote safety through de-escalation, limit setting, and crisis interventions.

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, or a related field, or equivalent experience, is required; a master's degree is preferred. Candidates need one year of recent hospital experience in a mental health role and three years of relevant experience or equivalent education, and must obtain and maintain BLS, Therapeutic Crisis Intervention, and First Aid certifications within 90 days of hire.

Qualifications

Education
Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Therapeutic CommunicationTreatment PlanningInterdisciplinary CollaborationBehavior Plan SupportPatient and Family Education

Psychiatry Career Context

Psychiatry pay on WeekdayDoc is down 4.8% vs. the prior quarter (through Aug 2026).

The cost-of-living index for Ohio is 92.8 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$45k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $49k in an average-cost state. 61.3% of Ohio clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Work-life snapshot

1.5/ 10
Listing-based score
  • Includes call
  • Includes weekends

Living in Columbus

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$263k
Typical market rent
$1,450/mo
Residents’ average commute
22 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
95.5
State income tax
Up to 4%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Columbus, OH metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.