Behavioral Health Specialist (BHS) (FT, Nights)

Were not just behavioral health peoplewere crisis people.

Connections Health Solutions is a leading provider of immediate-access behavioral health crisis care. Our team combines medical and recovery-oriented treatment to stabilize individuals in crisis and connect them to community-based resources for ongoing recovery.

Founded by emergency room psychiatrists Dr. Chris Carson and Dr. Robert Williamson our model is physician-led and data-driven drawing upon more than 15 years of crisis care expertise. Recognized by SAMHSA and the National Council for Mental Wellbeing as a national best practice weve delivered invaluable treatment to hundreds of thousands of individuals facing crises. Our commitment remains consistent to improve access inspire hope and provide the right support.

Our values shape our decisions define our culture and foster continuous learning and growth.

We accept people as they are creating safe spaces where they feel valued and respected. We inspire hope by walking with people side-by-side showing them grace and compassion. We act with intention holding ourselves and each other accountable and doing the right thing. We work as one team trusting and supporting each other. We embrace change and innovation striving to find better ways to fulfill our mission.

We are on a mission to change the face of behavioral health. Help us save lives and make a difference.

Earn More with Shift Differentials

Maximize your earnings with additional hourly pay:

• $2/hr -> Monday-Thursday Nights
• $3/hr -> Friday-Sunday Nights
• $2/hr -> Saturday-Sunday Days

What Youll Do:

The Behavioral Health Specialist (BHS) is a vital member of the interdisciplinary care team who helps create a safe secure welcoming and therapeutic environment. This position has frequent direct interaction with individuals and plays an important role in shaping their experience from admission through discharge.

Working in a high-acuity fast-paced setting the Behavioral Health Specialist provides compassionate and respectful support to individuals experiencing acute behavioral health symptoms substance use concerns homelessness and other complex needs. The role supports admissions and discharges maintains required observations assists with daily needs recognizes and communicates changes in behavior or condition and responds to safety concerns and emergencies.

Success requires compassion sound judgment strong situational awareness teamwork flexibility and the ability to remain calm and professional under pressure.

Individual Support and Experience

• Welcomes individuals and provides compassionate respectful and nonjudgmental support from admission through discharge.
• Provides orientation to the Observation Unit and Residential Crisis Stabilization Unit.
• Supports safe admissions transfers and discharges and assists individuals with meals clothing comfort items and other daily needs.
• Builds therapeutic rapport while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries and supporting the organizations No Wrong Door approach.
• Educates individuals on their rights under DBHDS and DMAS regulations grievance process provides expectations and explains rules and regulations.

Safety Observation and Crisis Response

• Conducts safety screenings and inventories searches documents and secures individual belongings according to established procedures.
• Maintains required levels of observation and accurately documents observations within established timeframes.
• Recognizes and promptly communicates changes in behavior condition risk or environmental safety to the interdisciplinary team.
• Uses therapeutic communication trauma-informed practices redirection and approved de-escalation techniques.
• Participates in approved restraints seclusion or other safety interventions when necessary permitted and appropriately trained.
• Responds to emergencies and performs CPR Safe Clinch and other approved emergency-response techniques within the scope of training.

Clinical and Interdisciplinary Support

• Effectively and positively communicates and collaborates with nurses providers clinicians peer and recovery support professionals and other care team members.
• Participates in shift handoffs team huddles and care coordination activities.
• Obtains and documents vital signs and promptly reports concerning results to the responsible nurse or medical provider.
• Performs approved clinical support activities which may include blood alcohol urine drug and pregnancy testing when permitted and trained.
• Supports individual care and safety plans and safely escorts moves or transports individuals as needed.

Documentation and Compliance

• Documents observations services interventions and significant interactions accurately and timely in the Electronic Health Record (EHR).
• Maintains confidentiality and follows established clinical safety security and infection-prevention procedures.
• Completes required training certifications competencies and meetings within established timeframes.
• Attends court-ordered hearings when subpoenaed and provides factual testimony consistent with documented observations.

Facility and Team Support

• Helps maintain a clean safe organized and therapeutic care environment.
• Supports routine unit needs including food service linens and laundering individual clothing when needed.
• Responds flexibly to changing facility needs and supports colleagues across assigned care areas.

Additional Duties

• Perform all other duties consistent with the responsibilities and scope of the position.

What Youll Bring:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• At least one (1) year of experience in behavioral health healthcare human services customer service hospitality corrections emergency services residential care or another direct service environment
• Basic computer skills and ability to accurately document information in an Electronic Health Record (EHR)
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals families coworkers and members of the interdisciplinary team
• Ability to complete required training and maintain required competencies including CPR crisis prevention/de-escalation Safe Clinch/restraint training and other facility required safety procedures
• Ability to meet the physical requirements of the position including responding quickly to emergencies assisting with physical interventions when trained and lifting/moving individuals or equipment as required
• Must pass the following background checks
  • State of Virginia Fingerprint Clearance
  • Must be able to pass Virginia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services (VA DBHDS) background check
  • Must be able to pass Virginia Department of Social Services (VA DSS) Office of Background Investigations - Central Registry Search
  • Must be able to obtain a Food Handlers Card for the State of Virginia
  • Medical screenings (Physical TB and Drug test)
• The Company has a mandatory vaccination policy. All successful applicants must be fully vaccinated including showing proper documentation or otherwise be exempt pursuant to the Companys exemption process prior to their start date as a condition of employment
• Physical Requirements
  • Safely perform physical interventions (e.g. standing pivoting reaching kneeling lowering to the floor and supporting another persons weight)
  • Lift push pull or carry up to 50 lbs. occasionally
  • Tolerate prolonged walking standing and observation in a fast-paced environment
  • Work with individuals who may exhibit agitation aggression or unpredictable behavior

It would be great if you had:

• Experience in behavioral health healthcare crisis services substance use treatment residential care emergency services or another high-acuity service environment
• Completion of CNA or Patient Care Tech program
• Completion of BHT certification
• Experience de-escalating difficult situations responding to conflict redirecting behavior or supporting individuals under stress
• Current CPR/BLS certification crisis prevention/de-escalation certification peer support certification behavioral health technician credential certified nursing assistant credential or other relevant certification

What We Offer:

Full-time only:

• Employees (and their families) are offered comprehensive health insurance including Medical Dental Vision Accident Critical Illness and Hospital Indemnity
• CHS pays for Basic Life AD&D Short and Long-Term Disability
• Voluntary Life insurance option for employees and their families
• Health Savings Accounts (with $1000 to $2000 employer contribution depending on plan)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (health care and dependent care)
• 401k company match after 6 months (50% of deferrals up to 6% of compensation)
• Generous PTO starting at 160 hours accrued annually and 12 recognized company holidays
• Companypaid parental leave available to eligible employees

All employees (Pool Part-time and Full-time):

• Employee Assistance Program to help with confidential emotional support work life solutions financial solutions legal assistance or online support
• After 90 days you are auto enrolled in the 401k Plan

Connections Health Solutions is proud to be a Second Chance Employer

#INDVA

Actual compensation is based on relevant experience education internal equity and budget.

Virginia pay range

$21.56 - $25 USD

EEO Statement

Connections Health Solutions is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin age disability veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. We are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all employees and applicants.

Recruitment Fraud Warning

Connections Health Solutions has been made aware of individuals impersonating our recruiters and issuing fraudulent interview invitations and job offers.

Please note:

• Official communications come only from an email address ending in @ .
• We will never extend an offer without completing our formal interview process.
• We will never ask candidates to pay fees purchase equipment or send money as part of the hiring process.

If you receive a suspicious communication claiming to represent Connections Health Solutions please contact to verify its authenticity before responding.

Required Experience:

IC