Mental Health Specialist I - Psychiatric Crisis Department (Days)

HealthcareIncludes weekendsNo nightsFull-Time

Listed compensation

Starts at $20 /hr

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations and time off.

Posted 38m ago · Verified live

Job Description

  • Day Shift: (7:00am-3:30pm)
  • 32 Hours per week available (0.8 FTE), or 24 hours (0.6 FTE)
  • Every other weekend required

Benefits eligible.

Expected to float to other Behavioral Health nursing units as needed at the direction of leadership

Position Starts at $20.16/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

High School Diploma or equivalent, required.

Current enrollment in and completion of half a Psychology, Social Work, or related undergraduate program, or equivalent experience, required.

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

Effective 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, or equivalent education, required.

Physical Requirements

OCCASIONALLY: Biohazard waste, Chemicals/Medications, Climb stairs/ladder, Fume /Gases /Vapors, Lifting / Carrying: 0-10 lbs, Lifting / Carrying: 11-20 lbs, Lifting / Carrying: 21-40 lbs, Lifting / Carrying: 41-60 lbs, Patient Equipment, Pushing / Pulling: 0-25 lbs, Pushing / Pulling: 26-40 lbs, Pushing / Pulling: 41-60 lbs, Pushing / Pulling: 61-100 lbs

FREQUENTLY: Bend/twist, Blood and/or Bodily Fluids, Communicable Diseases and/or Pathogens, Computer skills, Flexing/extending of neck, Loud Noises, Reaching above shoulder, Squat/kneel

CONTINUOUSLY: Audible speech, Color vision, Decision Making, Depth perception, Hand use: grasping, gripping, turning, 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

Performs supportive and trauma-informed care for patients under the supervision of nursing staff. Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to develop treatment plans and maintains unit safety through crisis management.

Requirements

Requires a high school diploma and current enrollment in or completion of half an undergraduate program in Psychology, Social Work, or a related field. Candidates must obtain BLS, TCI, and First Aid certifications within 90 days of hire.

Key Skills

Interpersonal skills

Healthcare Professional Career Context

The cost-of-living index for Ohio is 92.8 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$42k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $45k in an average-cost state. 61.3% of Ohio clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

healthcare pay on WeekdayDoc is up 16.4% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

What does the healthcare market look like in Ohio?
MeasureThis jobMarket
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$45k in purchasing powerOhio index 92.8 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
healthcare listings in Ohio103 active2,106 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026
healthcare pay trend+16.4% vs prior quarter—through Sep 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Oct 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Work-life snapshot

5.1/ 10
Listing-based score
  • No nights
  • Includes weekends

Living in Columbus

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$259k
Typical market rent
$1,471/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 (Sep 2026), Zillow market rents (Sep 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.