Crisis Specialist

Ravenwood Health – Chardon, Ohio

Job Type: Full-Time Shift Availability:
Days, Evenings, Nights, Weekends (24/7 program)

Make a Difference. Answer the Call. Save Lives.

Ravenwood Health is hiring 988 Crisis Specialists to join our 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline team.

We are seeking compassionate, emotionally intelligent, behavioral health professionals who want meaningful, frontline behavioral health experience in suicide prevention and crisis intervention.

As a 988 Crisis Specialist, you will provide immediate telephonic crisis intervention, suicide risk assessment, de‑escalation, emotional support, and connection to community resources for individuals experiencing mental health or substance use crises.

If you are pursuing a career in social work, counseling, psychology, or human services — this is hands‑on, real‑world clinical experience that matters.

If you want a career that matters — where your calm voice can change someone’s life — apply today.

Under the supervision of the Crisis Services Supervisor, the 988 Crisis Specialist:

• Conducts suicide risk screenings and safety planning
• Provides emotional support and crisis stabilization
• Supports individuals experiencing mental, emotional, and substance use crises
• Connects callers to local and statewide behavioral health resources
• Coordinates with Mobile Crisis, hospitals, and emergency services when needed
• Completes accurate and timely electronic documentation

Ravenwood’s Crisis Services operate 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year.

• Provide compassionate, non‑judgmental crisis intervention by phone
• Assess suicide risk and collaborate on safety plans
• Utilize de‑escalation and active listening skills
• Offer warm transfers and referrals to appropriate services
• Maintain professionalism in high‑stress situations
• Document calls in accordance with agency and OhioMHAS standards
• Participate in supervision, training, and team meetings
• Maintain confidentiality and HIPAA compliance

• Direct experience conducting suicide risk screenings
• Real‑time crisis intervention skill development
• Exposure to emergency behavioral health systems
• Collaboration with mobile crisis, hospitals, and community providers
• Clinical supervision and ongoing training
• Excellent preparation for graduate school in social work, counseling, or psychology

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Human Services, Criminal Justice, or related field OR
• Associate degree or High School Diploma/GED with relevant crisis or behavioral health experience
• Strong verbal communication and documentation skills
• Ability to remain calm, focused, and compassionate under pressure
• Comfort discussing suicide and safety directly
• Basic computer proficiency

• Experience in crisis intervention, hotline services, or behavioral health
• Knowledge of mental health and substance use disorders
• Interest in suicide prevention and crisis response
• Eligibility for Qualified Behavioral Health Specialist (QBHS) status

• Emotionally steady in high‑stress situations
• Compassionate and non‑judgmental
• Strong critical thinkers
• Team‑oriented and dependable
• Motivated to build a career in behavioral health

• Generous PTO Package: 2 weeks of vacation, 56 hours sick time, paid holidays, and 4 wellness days per year.
• Affordable and Comprehensive Benefits: health, life, dental, and vision insurance.
• Staff Wellness Therapist: comprehensive health and wellness opportunities.
• Financial Security: mileage reimbursement, flexible spending account, 401(k) with company match, company‑paid short‑ and long‑term disability insurance.
• CEUs, Education and Training: clinical supervision, ongoing consultation, CEU provider, continuing education opportunities.

Competitive hourly rate based on education and experience.

Ravenwood Health is a private nonprofit, trauma‑informed agency that strives to provide a safe and compassionate community that supports and respects the unique journey of each person's path to healing, creating hope for all those who walk through our doors. We build hope, empower individuals and families, and strengthen our neighborhoods through mental health and addiction services.

Ravenwood Health is firmly committed to prohibiting discrimination based on the basis of race, color, sex, age, religion, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, disability, military status, sexual orientation, or genetic information throughout the employment process, from selection through termination. Ravenwood Health expects all employees, vendors, and associates to support the nondiscriminatory policies of Ravenwood Health.