Behavioral Health Specialist - Per Diem

Position Summary At Stony Brook Medicine, our Behavioral Health Specialist orients patients to the treatment setting and participates in team treatment. The specialist reviews and implements patient treatment plans, makes rounds with the team, monitors mental status, and reports progress or changes to nursing and physician staff. The role takes a primary role in maintaining a safe, therapeutic environment, protecting patient rights through observation, communication, and interaction. The specialist recognizes patients who are behaving aggressively or are in crisis, and carries out behavior monitoring, re‑directing, de‑escalation interventions, restraint or seclusion, and development and monitoring of behavior plans and safety plans. The specialist conducts a variety of patient treatment activities, including individual and group psychotherapy. The specialist plans and facilitates daily group psychotherapy activities, assesses and interacts therapeutically with patients and families during visiting hours, and provides treatment that promotes patient dignity, independence, individuality, strengths, privacy, and choice while demonstrating respect for cultural diversity and patient boundaries. Responsibilities Orients patients to the treatment setting and participates in team treatment. Reviews and implements patient treatment plans. Makes rounds with the team and monitors mental status. Reports progress or changes to nursing and physician staff. Takes a primary role in maintaining a safe, therapeutic environment. Performs behavior monitoring, re‑directing, de‑escalation interventions, restraint or seclusion, and develops and monitors behavior and safety plans. Conducts individual and group treatment activities and facilitates daily group psychotherapy sessions. Assesses and interacts therapeutically with patients and families during visiting hours. Makes sure patient care promotes dignity, independence, individuality, strengths, privacy, and choice. Qualifications Master’s or doctoral degree in Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling, Psychiatric Nursing, Psychology, or an equivalent field. Or, a Bachelor’s degree in a human service field combined with credentialing as a CASAC or BCBA within NYS. Minimum of 3 years’ experience in an inpatient hospital setting focused on serving individuals with mental illness. Optional: 5 or more years of experience in a mental health outpatient, partial hospital, or residential setting may be considered if deemed sufficient. Preferred Qualifications Master’s or doctoral degree preferred. Candidate Requirements Must frequently move about hallways, patient rooms, and multiple floors to service patients. Will aid with the transport of patients and respond to alarms and codes. Must use physical interventions and techniques for securing and applying restraints, and moving restrained patients as necessary. Must restrain agitated patients and aid with lifting patients. Pre‑Employment Requirements Successful completion of a pre‑employment physical examination and medical clearance from Stony Brook Medicine's Employee Health Services. Electronic reference check with a minimum of three professional references. Successful completion of a 4‑panel drug screen. Meet regulatory pre‑employment screening requirements. Provide copies of any required New York State licenses or certificates. Anticipated Pay Range The starting salary range for this position is $33–$40 per hour. EEO Statement Stony Brook University is committed to excellence in diversity and the creation of an inclusive learning and working environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other protected classes under federal or state laws. #J-18808-Ljbffr Stony Brook Medicine