Mental Health Group Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Mental Health Group Specialist

The Mental Health Group Specialist plays a key role in supporting the emotional, behavioral, and psychological growth of children within a structured treatment program. We currently have opportunities in two settings:

• 12-Month Positions based at our Madisonville Main Campus, serving children in a therapeutic treatment environment year-round.
• 10-Month School-Based Positions located in partner schools throughout the Greater Cincinnati area, following an academic school-year schedule.

Working with children ages 3-14, this position facilitates therapeutic and social-emotional groups, implements individualized treatment plans, and helps create a safe, supportive, and engaging environment. The MHGS works closely with clinical and educational staff, participates in treatment planning, and communicates regularly with families to ensure coordinated care. This role requires strong interpersonal skills, the ability to respond effectively to crisis situations, and a commitment to trauma-informed, evidence-based care and ongoing professional development.

Key Responsibilities

Direct Client Care

• Develop, plan, and facilitate social-emotional learning (SEL) and therapeutic group activities.
• Provide consistent supervision, engagement, and milieu management to ensure client safety.
• Support and implement Individual Service Plans (ISP) and Behavioral Support Plans (BSP).
• Lead classroom/program meetings and encourage active client participation.
• Utilize evidence-based teaching strategies and motivational systems.

Collaboration & Communication

• Participate in team meetings, treatment planning, and discharge planning.
• Maintain weekly communication with clients’ guardians.
• Collaborate with clinical, educational, and program staff to support client goals.
• Support campus-wide initiatives and promote a safe, professional environment.

Quality & Professional Growth

• Participate in training, skill-building, and ongoing professional development.
• Perform crisis intervention, including de-escalation and physical restraint techniques when necessary to maintain safety.
• Maintain compliance with HIPAA, safety requirements, and program standards.

Documentation & Administration

• Complete daily progress notes and documentation in the electronic medical record (EMR) within required timelines.
• Document incidents and notify guardians and leadership as required.
• Track client progress, attendance, and incentives.
• Manage daily schedules and prepare program materials.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of related experience; experience working with children or in behavioral health settings strongly preferred. OR
• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, or a related field.
• Comfortable working with children with behavioral health and/or emotional needs.
• Ability to obtain and maintain CPI, CPR, and First Aid certifications.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, organization, and crisis-management skills.

Compensation & Benefits

$18.00–$21.00 per hour based on qualifications and experience.

At Best Point, we believe taking care of our employees is essential to taking care of our community. That's why we offer a comprehensive and affordable benefits package designed to support your health, financial well-being, career growth, and work-life balance. Our benefit costs are approximately 38% lower than those of other organizations our size, helping you keep more of what you earn.

Health & Wellness

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage starting as low as $27 per paycheck
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contributions of up to $1,200 annually for 2+ person plans
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Free preventive care and wellness programs
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) providing confidential emotional, financial, legal, and personal support
• Optional pet insurance

Financial Security

• Competitive 403(b) retirement plan with up to a 4% employer match
• Employer-paid life insurance valued at 2.5x your annual salary, up to $300,000 — 100% paid by Best Point
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligibility, along with educational loan forgiveness support and resources

Career Growth & Development

• Free continuing education opportunities and professional development
• Tuition reimbursement opportunities
• 10% tuition discount for online programs through the University of Cincinnati
• Leadership Academy and professional development programs at no cost
• Interest-free personal computer loan program
• Employee referral bonus program with payouts of up to $1,000

Time Away to Recharge

• Generous paid time off package — up to 34 days off in your first year for eligible employees
• 10 paid holidays annually
• Paid parental leave for birth, adoption, and foster placement
• A work environment that supports healthy work-life balance and personal well-being

Work Environment:

Exposed to a combination of office, school, and mental health treatment environments. Exposed to children with behavior problems. May be exposed to shouting and clients who may be verbally and physically aggressive.  

Physical demands: 

The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to: Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, bend, and lift up to 50 pounds. Must be capable of sustained exertion and be able to participate in the physical restraint techniques and exercises required to ensure safety of clients at all times.

Our Culture: Best Point Education & Behavioral Health is Greater Cincinnati’s most prolific non-profit specializing in education, behavioral and therapeutic health services and autism services for vulnerable, at-risk youth, their families, and caregivers. Best Point Education & Behavioral Health is proud to embrace our ideals of an equal opportunity workplace by actions as well as our words. We lead our community with respect and tolerance, interna