Behavioral Health Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

General Job Description

As a Behavioral Health Specialist, you will be part of an integrated care team dedicated to providing whole-person care. In this role, you will conduct mental health assessments, provide individual and group therapy, offer crisis intervention, and participate in Warm Welcomes. You will collaborate with primary care providers and other interdisciplinary team members to identify and address mental health and substance use concerns. While working closely with the integrated care team, you will also maintain an individual caseload and provide independent clinical support. For candidates who are not yet licensed, supervision toward clinical licensure will be provided to support your professional growth. We offer a flexible schedule with opportunities for both remote and on-site work.

At Greater Seacoast Community Health, we serve our community as a team of respectful, qualified professionals. Our patients come first. We uphold the dignity, rights, and diversity of all individuals. As a member of our team, you are expected to embody the following values and professional standards:

• Professionalism & Resilience : Maintain composure, respect, and problem-solving skills, even under pressure. ( Excellence )
• Trustworthiness: Be dependable, follow through on commitments, and contribute positively to the team. ( Integrity )
• Respect: Honor the dignity of coworkers and patients; listen, empathize, and support differences. ( Respect )
• Positive Attitude : Demonstrate a proactive, solution-oriented approach to tasks and interactions. ( Compassion )
• Clear Communication : Listen actively, express yourself clearly, and ask questions when clarification is needed. ( Collaboration )
• Flexibility: Embrace change constructively and remain open to new ideas and feedback. ( Collaboration )
• Resource Stewardship: Use resources efficiently; keep spaces clean and safe, and suggest improvements. ( Excellence )

Essential Functions of the job for all GSCH staff

• Attendance: Demonstrates consistent punctuality and reliability. Follows the organization’s attendance policy and communicates proactively when time off is needed.
• Compliance Training: Completes all required annual trainings on time and maintains current knowledge of relevant policies and regulations.
• Qualifications: Maintaining all minimum required qualifications for the position—including, but not limited to, all necessary licensure and certifications.

Job-Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Conducts comprehensive mental health assessments and provides individual psychotherapy and group treatment for patients.
• Conducts substance misuse assessments, including determining appropriate levels of care and making placement recommendations using American Society for Addiction Medicine (ASAM) criteria.
• Provides relapse prevention counseling and support for patients diagnosed with substance use disorders.
• Triages patients based on complexity and clinical need and make appropriate internal and external referrals to community resources.
• Collaborates with primary care providers and interdisciplinary team members to support patient progress toward health-related goals.
• Assists primary care providers in identifying and addressing mental health conditions and/or substance use disorders.
• Utilizes evidence-based treatment models and adhere to established behavioral health policies and protocols.
• Maintains accurate, timely, and complete clinical documentation while meeting agency productivity standards.
• Upholds professional and ethical standards set forth by the NH Board of Mental Health and/or the NH Licensing Board for Alcohol and Other Drug Use Professionals, as well as organizational policies.
• Participates in peer review processes, agency audits, and quality improvement initiatives that support primary care and behavioral health integration.
• Participates in in-service trainings, supervision, and continuing education opportunities to remain current in the fields of mental health and substance use treatment.
• Demonstrates the ability to interact effectively with individuals from diverse socioeconomic, educational, and cultural backgrounds, as well as individuals with varying perspectives and value systems.
• Performs other duties as assigned by management.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described below are representative of those that may be encountered while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these essential job functions.

• The position may involve extending arms and hands in various directions, walking and moving around to accomplish work-related tasks, using upper body strength to push, pull, carry, or lift objects, and performing tasks that require fine motor skills using fingers.
• Requires moderate manual dexterity for tasks that involve frequent use of tools such as a keyboard, calculator, or similar equipment.
• Effective verbal communication skills are necessary to share information clearly and promptly with internal team members and external contacts.
• Must be able to engage respectfully and appropriately with individuals from diverse backgrounds, and manage interruptions or unplanned situations as part of the work environment.
• The ability to hear and understand verbal communication, including distinguishing subtle differences in tone and sound, may be needed.
• Visual focus and attention to detail are required for tasks including reading, reviewing written or electronic information, analyzing data, and inspecting small components.
• The position may occasionally require lifting or exerting up to 20 pounds and may involve extended periods of sitting, walking, and standing, along with occasional reaching, or bending, consistent with an office or administrative setting.
• Occasional travel to off-site meetings or alternate work locations may be required.