Behavioral Health Associate

Job Description

Position Title: Behavioral Health Associate

Location: Riley Hospital

Shift: Full-Time Days - Four 10-hour shifts, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Onsite)

Position Overview: The Behavioral Health Associate collaborates with primary care and licensed behavioral health clinicians to care for patients requiring behavioral health support. The role involves facilitating patient involvement in treatment and education, serving as a liaison among medical staff, patients, families, and outside agencies. Under supervision and review by licensed professionals, the Associate conducts mental health triage, evaluates psychosocial risk factors, and performs behavioral health interventions-including individual, family, and group therapies-using evidence-based models. The position emphasizes safe, timely, and resourceful care delivery, discharge planning, and crisis management.

Key Responsibilities:

Care for patients needing behavioral health support in collaboration with healthcare teams.


Facilitate patient engagement in treatment and educational activities.


Serve as a liaison between medical staff, patients, families, and external agencies.


Perform mental health triage for patients upon provider referral.


Identify psychosocial risk factors through evaluation of prior functioning, support systems, reactions to illness, and coping skills under clinical supervision.


Deliver individual, family, and group behavioral health interventions based on evidence-based practices.


Communicate and collaborate with all team members to ensure safe, effective, and timely services.


Support utilization review and discharge planning alongside licensed clinicians.


Serve as a point person for cases involving abuse, neglect, institutional abuse, and domestic violence, coordinating with protective services.


Maintain accurate documentation in electronic medical records.


Develop and nurture relationships with community partners, law enforcement, schools, and other agencies.

Qualifications & Requirements:

Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, or related mental health field.


0-3 years of relevant health care, mental health, or community-based experience.


License aligned with Indiana state code IC 25-23.6-4-1; LBSW required for BSW holders

Certification in crisis intervention may be required; BLS certification may also be required.


Knowledge of therapeutic interventions based on multidisciplinary collaboration, individual therapy, and psycho-educational groups.


Knowledge of legal mandates related to child and adult protective services.


Understanding of growth and development principles across the lifespan.


Proficiency in crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques.


Ability to maintain a safe, therapeutic environment and instruct on daily activities and programming.


Basic proficiency in Electronic Medical Records and MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).


Strong ability to develop and sustain relationships with community, healthcare, law enforcement, and social agencies.

About IU Health: IU Health is Indiana's largest and most comprehensive healthcare system, with nearly 40,000 team members, 16 hospitals, and $8.64 billion in operating revenue. Our programs in cancer, cardiovascular, neuroscience, orthopedics, pediatrics, and transplants are nationally recognized. In partnership with the Indiana University School of Medicine, IU Health combines research, education, and clinical excellence to improve health outcomes for Indiana communities.

Benefits Designed for You

About Us

• Indiana University Health has nearly 40,000 team members, including more than 3,600 physicians and 1,200 advanced practice providers, and we're home to the largest nursing network in Indiana with more than 9,000 nursing team members at over 800 sites of care.
• IU Health is ranked No. 1 in Indiana by U.S. News & World Report, Riley Children's Health is ranked among the top children's hospitals in the country by U.S. News & World Report.
• A unique partnership with the Indiana University School of Medicine - one of the nation's largest medical schools - gives patients access to groundbreaking research and innovative treatments, and it offers team members access to the latest science and the very best training - advancing healthcare for all.
• With 15 hospitals, including seven with Magnet designation and eight with Pathways to Excellence designation, our team members are leading the way through excellence.
• At Indiana University Health, your personal and professional growth is a top priority. You will have access to many diverse opportunities to learn and develop in meaningful ways that matter most to you, such as advanced clinical training, leadership development, promotion opportunities and cross training development.
• Indiana University Health is invested in the lives of Hoosiers, leading the transformation of healthcare to make Indiana one of the nation's healthiest states.

About the Team

Indiana University Health is Indiana's most comprehensive health system, with 15 hospitals and nearly 40,000 team members serving Hoosiers across the state. We're looking for team members who are inspired by challenging and meaningful work for the good of every patient. People who are compassionate and serve with a purpose. People who aspire to excellence every day.