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Job Title


Mental Health Coach


Company : Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters


Location : Norfolk, VA


Created : 2026-04-19


Job Type : Full Time


Job Description

Full-Time 401 Gresham Drive Clinical/Non-Nursing Evenings 20.6700 Through 31.0100 * GENERAL SUMMARY * The Mental Health Coach is responsible for establishing a therapeutic relationship with pediatric mental health clients, modeling pro-social and positive self-coping skills. Maintains a safe and regulatory compliant treatment setting and collaborates with patient and team stakeholders to ensure an effective treatment experience. May function in on-call capacity as necessary to meet the needs of the organization. Reports to the Nurse Manager. * ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES * Provision of clinical care- * Provides evidence-based skills coaching, behavioral modification and direct observation to pediatric patients with mental health diagnoses. * Implements and reinforces strategies included in patient's treatment or behavioral plan. Relays ineffective aspects of plan back to broader team for review and adjustment. * Completes coping cards with each patient and encourages their use. * May complete nursing tasks, as delegated by the RN, for medically involved clients. * Maintains a collaborative and supportive stance with patients as a means of maintaining unit calm. * Displays expertise in de-escalation cycle and educates patients and families daily on its use. * Crisis Management- * Maintains consistent awareness of where each assigned patient is on de-escalation cycle; utilizes skills appropriate for observed de-escalation level. * Adopts a collaborative and reflective stance with patients with the goal of de-escalation in mind. * Provides emotional first aid and de-briefing to individual patients and groups after behavioral escalations. * Ensure safe and compliant treatment setting- * Manages patient's room, unit environment and team schedule, ensuring consistent structure and a priority towards safety. * Ensures work areas are organized, safe and ready for the next activity or shift. * Maintains constant awareness of patient location and immediately alerts nurse to changes in mental status. * Completes regular environmental assessment. * Admission/Registration/Greeter- * Processes admissions in a timely, organized and client-centered fashion. * Assures anyone entering the unit is free of contraband by encouraging use of assigned lockers. * Provides updates to parent/guardian regarding patient condition and progress, information is linked to the plan of care; if unsure of boundaries consults with treatment team prior to sharing information. * Greets families when they are present at point of access, provides guidance on way finding and unit rules. * Emergency Department- * Oversees Emergency Department mental health flow by acting as a liaison between provider, charge nurse, bedside nurse, evaluating therapist, admission staff, parent and child. * Provides evidence-based skills coaching, behavioral modification and direct observation to pediatric patients with mental health diagnoses. Assistance in application of restraint when deemed medically necessary and ordered by treating physician. * May complete nursing tasks (Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), Vital Signs, nutrition, patient weights), as delegated by the RN, for medically involved clients. * Maintains compliant and safe environment of care including stocking, setting up rooms for admission and general cleaning. * Attends change of shift and unit level huddles. * Assists with de-escalation and restraint application when needed. * Completes coping cards with each client and encourages their use. * Maintains consistent awareness of where each assigned patient is on de-escalation cycle; utilizes skills appropriate for observed de-escalation level. * Performs other duties as assigned. * LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS * None required. * MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS * Undergraduate degree in Social Work, Counseling, Mental Health, Education, Arts & Science, Healthcare or related field from an accredited college/university or equivalent course work and/or previous training and direct care employment experience to demonstrate knowledge or expertise in children, adolescences or mental health. Undergraduate degree in noted disciplines preferred. * Supplemental trainings in mental health disorders, crisis response, behavioral planning preferred. * Increased Security Clearance may be Required: FBI fingerprinting, criminal background check, and Child Protective Services registry search. * WORKING CONDITIONS * Inpatient hospital or outpatient practice with little exposure to dust, temperature and the like. * PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS * Click here to view physical requirements.