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Filling the Pipeline for Behavioral Health Professionals

Filling the Pipeline for Behavioral Health Professionals 150 150 Abbie Miller and Shannon Caldwell

Brittany Schaffner, IMFT-S, LPCC-S, shares how a new college course and professional resources are helping more students meet the need for behavioral health care in pediatrics.

Tell us about your role at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

I’m a behavioral health clinical training supervisor here at Nationwide Children’s. I facilitate training programs for a wide range of students from undergraduate, to graduate and post-graduate. My clinical background is as a marriage and family therapist.

My role supports the hospital’s mission to address the behavioral health workforce shortage, by providing high-quality training and fostering the next generation of professionals. Traditionally, real work experience and exposure happens after the completion of an undergraduate degree. We recognized an opportunity to reach students sooner – before their career decision is made.

What inspires you to work with young adults and students who are interested in a career in pediatric behavioral health?

Supporting the health and well-being of children and families is a cause I care deeply about. I also have a passion for teaching students who are interested in the behavioral health field. By supporting these future professionals, we are increasing support and access to care that children and families need.

I know from my own experience that understanding all the behavioral health career options out there can feel overwhelming. This is why I’m so passionate about providing students with the information and resources they need early on, to better equip them to make a career decision that will be the best fit for their future.

Tell us about the course you teach at The Ohio State University.

I teach a course called “Introduction to Pediatric Behavioral Health Care Careers” which began in the spring semester of 2023. Each week, we highlight a specific behavioral health career with an expert from Nationwide Children’s. These guest speakers share their own journeys, discuss educational components, provide insights into their work and offer valuable advice and resources.

Students who complete the course can enroll in an independent study, on-site at Nationwide Children’s. This allows them to gain hands-on experience by shadowing different professionals in behavioral health and observing their day-to-day activities first-hand.

Why is it so important to foster the next generation of behavioral health professionals?

We know workforce is an issue in behavioral health. This includes both new individuals choosing the field and retaining those who have already started. At the same time, families and children are experiencing a significant number of stressors and an increase in mental and behavioral health conditions.

At Nationwide Children’s and within our behavioral health teams, our mission is to provide timely access to care for patients and families when they need it most. This is why it’s crucial to inform students about our work and to better support those entering the field with the necessary skills, resources and tools.

How will a person know if a career in pediatric behavioral health is right for them?

People who are deeply passionate about supporting patients and families – and who are committed to reducing the stigma surrounding mental health – are essential in this field.

Sometimes the individuals who have a passion for this work, may still feel unsure about the skillsets or the educational journey. Providing mentorship, exposure to the work and insights into the many avenues of the field is invaluable. There are numerous ways to make a difference, and having the opportunity to explore them will help individuals find the right fit for them.

What types of learning opportunities are available for students at Nationwide Children’s Hospital? 

If you are a student interested in pursuing a career in behavioral health, we want to help – even if you are not a current student at Ohio State. We connect students with professionals for informational interviews, attend career fairs, give presentations at schools and organizations, and offer other resources.

You can learn more about all our resources and opportunities at NationwideChildrens.org/BH-Career-Paths.

If there’s one thing you could tell a future behavioral health employee of Nationwide Children’s, what would it be? 

A career in behavioral health is incredibly rewarding and an honor, as you support children and families on their journeys. The work we do and being part of this organization is something to be truly proud of. One of the best aspects of a behavioral health career is the constant learning – from patients, other professionals and ongoing developments. The field is broad, so it’s important to remain open to different career paths and experiences.

About the author

Abbie (Roth) Miller, MWC, is a passionate communicator of science. As the manager, medical and science content, at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, she shares stories about innovative research and discovery with audiences ranging from parents to preeminent researchers and leaders. Before coming to Nationwide Children’s, Abbie used her communication skills to engage audiences with a wide variety of science topics. She is a Medical Writer Certified®, credentialed by the American Medical Writers Association.

As a senior strategist of population health marketing at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Shannon combines her passions for writing and strategic communication, with her desire to give back and make a positive impact in the community. Shannon works with a variety of clients and service lines to achieve goals aligned with the hospital’s strategic plan, like School-Based Health Services, Healthy Neighborhoods Healthy Families, Partners For Kids and Behavioral Health. Her skills include writing, editing, event planning, media relations, social media, strategy building and more. Shannon serves as the Vice President of Membership for the Central Ohio PRSA Chapter and she is the recipient of the 2021 Rising Star Award. She is a 2018 graduate (Cum Laude) of Ohio Northern University where she studied public relations and social media. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, being outdoors, attending shows and concerts, and exploring all the new and exciting places Columbus has to offer.

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