Behavioral Health Specialist

Job Description – Behavioral Health Specialist

We are seeking a compassionate and dedicated Behavioral Health Specialist to provide assessment, intervention, and support services for individuals experiencing mental health, emotional, or behavioral challenges. The ideal candidate will collaborate with multidisciplinary healthcare teams to develop treatment plans, provide counseling and crisis intervention, and promote positive behavioral health outcomes while ensuring compliance with clinical and regulatory standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct behavioral health assessments and psychosocial evaluations.
• Develop, implement, and monitor individualized treatment and care plans.
• Provide individual, group, and family counseling sessions as appropriate.
• Perform crisis intervention, risk assessment, and de-escalation for individuals experiencing behavioral health emergencies.
• Collaborate with psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, nurses, case managers, and other healthcare professionals.
• Monitor patient progress and modify treatment plans based on clinical outcomes.
• Educate patients and families about mental health conditions, coping strategies, and available community resources.
• Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation in Electronic Health Records (EHR).
• Coordinate referrals to community agencies and behavioral health programs.
• Ensure compliance with HIPAA, state regulations, organizational policies, and ethical standards.
• Participate in multidisciplinary case conferences and quality improvement initiatives.
• Advocate for patient rights and promote recovery-oriented care.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Behavioral Health, Human Services, or a related field.
• 2+ years of experience in behavioral health, mental health, substance abuse treatment, or psychiatric services.
• Knowledge of behavioral health assessments, treatment planning, and crisis intervention.
• Familiarity with DSM-5 diagnostic criteria and evidence-based therapeutic approaches.
• Strong understanding of HIPAA, patient confidentiality, and healthcare regulations.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and documentation skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse patient populations.

Preferred Qualifications

• State licensure such as LCSW, LPC, LMHC, LMFT, or equivalent.
• Experience in inpatient, outpatient, community mental health, or crisis stabilization settings.
• Knowledge of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), or trauma-informed care.
• Experience with substance use disorder treatment and recovery services.
• Bilingual language skills are a plus.

Technical Skills

• Electronic Health Records (EHR)
• Behavioral Health Documentation
• Treatment Planning
• Crisis Intervention
• Risk Assessment
• Case Management
• DSM-5 Knowledge
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Telehealth Platforms
• Care Coordination Systems

Soft Skills

• Empathy and compassion
• Active listening
• Strong communication skills
• Conflict resolution
• Critical thinking
• Problem-solving
• Team collaboration
• Time management
• Cultural competence
• Emotional resilience

Preferred Certifications

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
• Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
• Certified Behavioral Health Case Manager (CBHCM)
• Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) Certification
• Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification (if required)

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and holidays
• Retirement savings plan
• Continuing education and licensure reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Flexible work arrangements
• Professional development opportunities

This job description is optimized for candidates with experience in behavioral health assessment, mental health counseling, crisis intervention, treatment planning, case management, and interdisciplinary collaboration in healthcare, community mental health, or behavioral health settings.