Behavioral Health Specialist

Behavioral Health Specialist Needed Full-time, IMT Position

Intensive Mobile Treatment (IMT) is an innovative, creative, trauma-informed mobile practice model designed to provide treatment, rehabilitation and support services to individuals whose needs have not been met by traditional services. IMT participants interact with homeless services, criminal justice, and behavioral health service systems. IMT teams are hired, trained and funded to maximize flexibility and continuity of care for persons who historically have been poorly served.

The IMT Behavioral Health Specialist is an integral part of a multi-disciplinary team of mental health clinicians. The Specialist is a team member responsible for engaging participants through harm reduction strategies including motivational interviewing and stage-wise interventions that target an individual's readiness for change. The Behavioral Health Specialist is a resource to other team members in issues related to mental health and co-occurring substance use.

Core Program Principles

• Program participants' right to self-determination
• Respectful communication
• Services that support recovery and healing consistent with and nurturing each participant's cultural background, experience, identity, and values
• Clear professional boundaries to support the limits and possibilities of services

Essential Job Functions Behavioral Health Specialist-related:

• Screen and assess participants, families and/or significant others involved with the participant to develop a person-centered treatment plan.
• Screen and assess participants for the treatment of co-occurring substance use disorders.
• Advocate and liaise for participants within the criminal justice and shelter system.
• Provide or connect participants with employment counseling, vocational rehabilitation, completion of housing applications and placement, and provision of life skills training.
• Provide individual counseling that includes principles of Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment as appropriate.
• Identify participant treatment and support service needs and associated service plan objectives based on participant goals assessment results, including risk associated with harmful behaviors.
• Function as resource on behavioral health services and substance use and guide team in clinical meetings on these issues.
• Provide harm reduction services, integrated substance use treatment and relapse prevention.

Comprehensive IMT services-related:

• Assess and provide services to participants to address health and wellness, housing, income support, education, vocational training, employment and social supports.
• Complete required assessments and evaluations as needed on a rotating schedule.
• Provide IMT treatment services including: service planning and coordination; problem solving; support with obtaining housing; developing social connections; strengthening family and other relationships; developing independent living skills and obtaining necessary resources; accessing education and training; employment supports (job search, placement and support); entitlement and financial management; empowerment and self-help; wellness self-management with a focus on the development of coping skills; support with medications; and weekly groups.
• Use motivational interviewing, recovery and trauma-informed approaches when delivering services.
• Collaboration with participants, families and natural supports, shelter, jail and community partners to promote attainment of treatment and recovery goals.
• Coordinate discharge in collaboration with jail/prison or inpatient and ER staff when participants have involvement.
• Complete thorough, timely and accurate documentation of all contacts.
• Utilize public transportation to travel throughout the boroughs.
• Provide 24-hour crisis intervention services on rotating basis.

Job Qualifications

• Commitment to person-centered treatment strategies, upholding participants' rights, and self-determination in service provision.
• LMSW or LCSW in the state of New York.
• Minimum of two (2) years' experience working with individuals with a mental health condition with co-occurring substance use disorder.
• Available to work a flexible schedule, mornings, evenings and weekends in response to participant needs.
• Must be able to work in the community, including use of public transportation.
• Computer proficiency in Windows operating systems and programs, such as MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, as well as comfort with learning new electronic systems.
• Must be fingerprinted and cleared by the New York State Justice Center.