Behavioral Health Specialist

Position Summary Behavioral Health Specialist At Stony Brook Medicine, our Behavioral Health Specialist: Orients patients to treatment setting and participates in team treatment. Reviews and participates in implementation of the patient treatment plan, makes rounds with team, monitors mental status and reports progress or changes routinely to nursing/physician staff. Takes a primary role in maintaining a safe, therapeutic environment. Maintains patient safety and protects patient rights through patient observation, communication and interaction. Recognizes patients who are behaving aggressively, acting as a danger to themselves or others, or are in a crisis or medical emergency situation. Carries out behavior monitoring, re‑directing, de‑escalation interventions, restraint/seclusion, behavior plan development and safety plan development, utilization and monitoring. Conducts a variety of patient treatment activities such as individual and group. Plans and facilitates daily group psychotherapy activities. Assesses and interacts therapeutically with patients and families during visiting hours. Provides treatment that promotes patient dignity, independence, individuality, strengths, privacy, and choice. Demonstrates respect for cultural diversity and patient boundaries. Provides quality patient care by maintaining knowledge and skill level related to the symptoms and treatment of behavioral disorders relevant to position responsibilities and in accordance with state agency regulations. Responsibilities Orients patients to treatment setting and participates in team treatment. Takes a primary role in maintaining a safe, therapeutic environment. Conducts a variety of patient treatment activities such as individual and group. Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge. Physical and Safety Requirements The successful candidate must frequently move about the hallways, patient rooms, and multiple floors to service patients. The candidate will also aid with the transport of patients, respond to alarms/codes, detect and communicate situations that may cause harm to the patient or others, respond to and communicate requests for assistance. As necessary, the candidate may use physical interventions and techniques when securing and applying restraints on patients and moving restrained patients, restraining agitated patients, and assisting with lifting patients. Qualifications Required: Master’s or doctoral degree in Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling, Psychiatric Nursing, Psychology or an equivalent field. In lieu of a Master’s or Doctoral Degree, a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a human service field and be either credentialed as an alcoholism and substance abuse counselor (CASAC) or a Board Certified Behavioral Analyst (BCBA) within NYS. A minimum of 3 years’ experience working in a position focused on serving those with mental illness in an inpatient hospital setting. Five (5) or more years of working in a mental health outpatient, partial hospital or residential setting can be substituted for the inpatient hospital requirement if deemed sufficient. Preferred: Master's or doctoral degree is preferred. Benefits and Compensation The salary range is $71,400 - $101,801 Base. Additional compensation may include location pay ($4,000), inconvenience pay ($575) and other benefits such as generous leave, health plans, and a state pension. Equal Employment Opportunity 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. If you need a disability-related accommodation, please call the University Office of Equity and Access at View phone number on click.appcast.io. #J-18808-Ljbffr Stony Brook University