Job Description

Job Summary

The Milieu Specialist is a critical frontline position at the Behavioral Health Crisis Center responsible for creating and maintaining a safe, therapeutic environment for individuals experiencing mental health and behavioral health crises. This position monitors the therapeutic milieu, provides direct patient care and support, implements crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques, and collaborates with a multidisciplinary care team to deliver comprehensive care. The Milieu Specialist facilitates therapeutic activities, documents patient progress, conducts safety checks, and serves as a key member of the treatment team by providing valuable observations during treatment planning and ensuring continuity of care across shifts.

We are seeking a compassionate and dedicated Milieu Specialist II to join our team at our Behavioral Health Crisis Center in Cleveland, Ohio. In this critical frontline role, you will create and maintain a safe, therapeutic environment for individuals experiencing mental health and behavioral health crises. You will be responsible for monitoring the therapeutic milieu, supporting patients in their recovery journey, and working collaboratively with our multidisciplinary care team to provide exceptional care during some of the most vulnerable moments in our patients' lives. The Milieu Specialist II will also lead in coordinating the activities and schedules of the unit, complete daily reports and audits and act as the first line for problem solving for guest and staff concerns.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Therapeutic Environment Management

Create and maintain a safe, structured, and therapeutic milieu for patients experiencing acute mental health crises

Monitor patient behavior and environmental safety continuously, intervening appropriately to prevent harm

Facilitate therapeutic activities and groups that promote recovery, coping skills, and emotional regulation

Model appropriate behavior and communication while maintaining professional boundaries

Coordinate and support unit activities and guest schedules. [meals, self-administered medication administration, therapeutic activities]

Complete daily unit reporting for managerial review.

Patient Care and Support

Provide direct care and support to patients with mental health diagnoses, substance abuse issues, and co-occurring disorders

Assist patients with activities of daily living (ADLs) as needed while promoting independence

De-escalate crisis situations using verbal intervention techniques and trauma-informed care approaches

Document patient behaviors, interactions, and progress accurately and in a timely manner

Act as the primary point person for any guest concerns.

Team Collaboration

Work closely with psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, case managers, and other mental health professionals to coordinate comprehensive care

Participate in treatment planning meetings and provide valuable observations about patient progress

Communicate effectively with team members during shift changes to ensure continuity of care

Collaborate with community resources to support patient transitions and ongoing recovery

Act as the primary point person for any staff concerns.

Safety and Crisis Intervention

Implement crisis intervention techniques to manage aggressive or self-harmful behaviors

Conduct safety checks and environmental rounds to maintain a secure treatment setting

Apply de-escalation strategies and crisis prevention techniques consistent with trauma-informed care principles

Follow all safety protocols, including restraint procedures when clinically indicated and authorized

Assure timely completion of safety rounding with co-workers and complete any auditing of rounding documentation.

Oversee process for any guest passes off unit and timely return.

Assist with admission and discharge process and coordinating those processes with crisis services staff.

Capacity to physically intervene in crisis situations when necessary (may include restraint procedures)

Other Non-Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Education:

High school diploma or GED required

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or related field preferred

License or Certification:

CPR and First Aid certification (or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire)

Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) or similar de-escalation training (or willingness to complete upon hire)

Valid Ohio driver's license with clean driving record

Must pass criminal background check

Preferred Certifications:

Mental Health First Aid certification

Certification as a Mental Health Technician or similar credential

Experience:

Minimum 1 year of experience working with individuals with mental health or behavioral health challenges (crisis intervention, psychiatric facilities, residential treatment, or related settings)

Experience in crisis stabilization or emergency psychiatric settings preferred

Knowledge of substance abuse and co-occurring disorders preferred

Skills:

Clinical and Interpersonal Skills:

Strong understanding of mental health diagnoses, behavioral health challenges, and trauma-informed care principles

Excellent communication skills with ability to interact effectively with individuals in crisis

Cultural competency and ability to work with diverse populations

Empathy, patience, and non-judgmental approach to patient care

Professional Skills:

Sound judgment and decision-making abilities in high-pressure situations

Ability to maintain professional boundaries while building therapeutic relationships

Strong observational and documentation skills

Flexibility and adaptability in a fast-paced, unpredictable environment

Technical Skills:

Proficiency with electronic health records (EHR) systems

Computer literacy for documentation and communication purposes

Understanding of HIPAA regulations and patient confidentiality requirements

Preferred Skills:

Bilingual abilities (Spanish, Arabic, or other languages commonly spoken in Cleveland area)

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a fast-paced behavioral health crisis stabilization environment with individuals experiencing acute psychiatric symptoms, behavioral dysregulation, and high levels of emotional distress.

The role requires flexibility to work varying or rotating shifts, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays, based on program needs.

Employees may be exposed to verbal aggression, physical aggression, crisis situations, and other safety-related concerns requiring the consistent use of de-escalation techniques, trauma-informed care, and established safety protocols.

The position may require standing, walking, monitoring the unit, conducting safety rounds, and responding quickly to changing patient or unit needs for extended periods during a shift.

The work may be emotionally demanding and requires sound judgment, mental stamina, professionalism, and the ability to remain calm and responsive in high-stress situations.

Disclaimer

This job description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of The Centers. Since no position description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the jobholder's responsibility.

The Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.