Behavioral Health Support Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Position Overview:

As a Behavioral Health Support Specialist (BHSS), you serve as a key support resource within the Behavioral Health Department, helping ensure integrated, patient-centered care across El Centro Family Health. This role provides both clinical and administrative support services to behavioral health providers and patients, including Comprehensive Community Support Services (CCSS), SBIRT services, crisis intervention, care coordination, case management, and support within School Based Health Centers (SBHCs). This position may also support Chronic Care Management (CCM) services and requires travel within the community and to various clinic or school-based locations as needed.

What You Will Do:

• Provide case management and care coordination services for patients with behavioral health and substance use disorders.

• Conduct behavioral health intakes, screenings, risk assessments, and treatment planning within required timelines.

• Assist providers with screenings including PHQ-9, GAD-7, ACE, PCL-5, social determinants of health assessments, and Treat First processes.

• Provide crisis intervention services and assist with development of crisis management plans.

• Support patients and families through advocacy, education, referrals, and linkage to community resources.

• Deliver Comprehensive Community Support Services (CCSS) under supervision for adults, children, and adolescents with significant behavioral health disorders.

• Conduct SBIRT screenings, brief interventions, psychoeducation, motivational support, and referrals for treatment when necessary.

• Facilitate patient access to housing, food, clothing, transportation, school programs, vocational services, recreational activities, and social support networks.

• Assist patients with coping skills, daily living skills, socialization skills, relapse prevention, medication education, and illness self-management.

• Coordinate and participate in treatment team meetings, family meetings, and care collaboration activities.

• Document all patient interactions, case notes, progress notes, treatment plans, and services accurately and timely within the Electronic Health Record (EHR).

• Maintain monthly reports, financial documentation, and program statistics in compliance with agency standards.

• Support scheduling, phone communication, warm hand-offs, referrals, and coordination between behavioral health and other departments.

• Participate in SBHC outreach events, classroom presentations, and community education activities.

• Maintain confidentiality and comply with all federal, state, organizational, and ethical standards.

• Participate in quality improvement activities, staff meetings, trainings, and cross-functional team support.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED required.

• Minimum of six months of experience working with substance use disorder (SUD) or mental health populations, or six months of secondary education coursework related to mental health or substance use disorders. Certification as a Peer Support Worker, Family Specialist, or Certified Community Health Worker may substitute for required experience.

• Ability to become CCSS certified within 90–120 days of hire.

• Ability to complete SBIRT and Motivational Interviewing training within 90–120 days of hire.

• Ability to work effectively with children, adolescents, adults, and families in individual and group settings.

• Strong interpersonal, organizational, communication, and customer service skills.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism in all patient and staff interactions.

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, Outlook, and electronic medical record systems, or ability to learn required systems.

• Ability to travel to community locations and clinic sites as needed, with a valid driver's license and unrestricted automobile insurance in accordance with New Mexico law.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary healthcare environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• CCSS certification.

• SBIRT certification and Motivational Interviewing training.

• Certification as a Peer Support Worker, Family Peer Support Worker, or Certified Community Health Worker.

• CPR or Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Sociology, Counseling, Social Work, Criminal Justice, Family Studies, Special Education, Human Services, or related field.

• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to balance, bend, lift, carry, and pull up to 20 lbs.