Behavioral Health Specialist

Inner-city Muslim Action Network; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in community health is seeking a dedicated Behavioral Health Specialist to provide clinical therapy services. This role involves working within a supportive interdisciplinary team to deliver holistic care in a Federally Qualified Health Center. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in mental health, including experience with a variety of disorders and therapeutic techniques. You will play a crucial role in developing treatment plans, conducting assessments, and providing crisis intervention. Join a mission-driven organization that values cultural competence and trauma-informed care, making a real difference in the lives of individuals and families in the community.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in addiction science, counseling, or related field required.
• Must hold an active Illinois mental health credential in good standing.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical therapy and case management to diverse patient populations.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams for effective patient care.

Skills

Crisis Intervention

Mental Health Assessment

Therapeutic Techniques

Cultural Sensitivity

Active Listening

Client Advocacy

Documentation and Record Keeping

Legal and Ethical Decision Making

Education

Master’s degree in related field

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

License of Social Work (LSW)

Associate License of Marriage and Family Therapy (ALMFT)

Tools

Electronic Health Records (EHR)

Job description

The Behavioral Health Specialist provides clinical therapy services to patients within a Federally Qualified Health Center. This is a grant-funded position in which the Behavioral Health Specialist works within an interdisciplinary team to provide holistic care primarily onsite on our clinic, but on occasion, offsite at various community locations through our mobile unit. Due to the nature of the position, it will have both administrative and direct patient care components.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Works in collaboration with the Director of Behavioral Health to develop, implement, and administer service program protocols, policies, and procedures for the program.
• Provides therapy to assigned caseload patients with a broad range of mental health needs, including but not limited to mood disorders, substance use disorders, anxiety disorders, conduct disorders and trauma/stress-related disorders.
• Provides consultation to a multidisciplinary team for effective clinical intervention and ongoing support.
• Provides direct short-term clinical therapy, case management, treatment and care coordination to patients consisting of individuals, families, couples and groups.
• Conducts screening and psychosocial assessment, makes diagnoses consistent with DSM disorders, creates and implements treatment plans, develops progress notes and facilitates crisis intervention.
• Refers patients for internal and external case management and support services.
• Familiar with relevant mental health resources including inpatient services, outpatient services, peer support, and refers to support services as clinically indicated.
• Renders evidence-based opinion regarding patients’ mental status, competency, safety risk, diagnosis and need for psychiatric treatment.
• Provides immediate support and assistance during times of crises or emergency situations by responding to warm handoffs and serving as rotating on-call provider during clinic hours.
• Assists with coordinating integration of behavioral health programming within IMAN and its departments.
• Provides representation at community events as required.
• Utilizes a strength-based, culturally competent, and trauma-informed approach to support patients in the treatment and recovery process.
• Prepares and maintains accurate, thorough and timely mental health records within the electronic health record system.
• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be able to provide counseling and case management services in Spanish and English and/or Arabic and English.
• Must hold, at minimum, an active Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), License of Social Work (LSW) or Associate License of Marriage and Family Therapy (ALMFT) Illinois credential in good standing with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
• Master’s degree in addiction science, counseling and guidance, rehabilitation counseling, social work, psychology, pastoral counseling, family therapy, or related human service field.
• Experience with direct use of clinical techniques, interventions and philosophies (ie. harm reduction, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) for individuals, couples, family and group counseling.
• Sound understanding of DSM criteria and how to apply these concepts to differential diagnosis.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Licensed to practice and provide clinical therapy with an unrestricted license in the state of Illinois preferred (LCPC, LCSW or LMFT license).
• Experience working in a Federally Qualified Health Center in an outpatient urban healthcare setting.
• Experience providing trauma-informed clinical counseling services.
• Ability to work some Sunday and evening hours.
• Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team, in a multicultural setting.

GENERAL SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:

• Mental Health Assessment: Ability to assess mental health conditions, substance use issues, and behavioral challenges using standardized tools and clinical judgment.
• Diagnosis and Treatment Planning: Proficiency in diagnosing mental health and behavioral conditions, and developing individualized treatment plans tailored to client needs.
• Crisis Intervention: Skills in managing acute crises, such as suicidal ideation, self-harm, or violent behavior, while ensuring client safety and de-escalation.
• Therapeutic Techniques: Knowledge of evidence-based therapeutic approaches (e.g., Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, etc.).
• Substance Abuse Treatment: Understanding of addiction, detoxification processes, relapse prevention, and substance abuse recovery programs.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Ability to work effectively with diverse populations, respecting differences in race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status.
• Trauma-Informed Care: Knowledge and practice of recognizing the impact of trauma and integrating this awareness into the therapeutic process.
• Active Listening: Ability to listen attentively to clients, demonstrating empathy and understanding, which fosters a trusting relationship.
• Collaboration and Teamwork: Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams, including physicians, social workers, case managers, and other healthcare providers.
• Coordination of Services: Ability to manage and coordinate services for clients across various systems, such as mental health care, medical care, social services, and housing.
• Documentation and Record Keeping: Accurate and timely documentation of client interactions, treatment plans, and progress notes in compliance with regulations and ethical standards.
• Confidentiality: A thorough understanding of confidentiality laws (e.g., HIPAA) and maintaining client privacy.
• Legal and Ethical Decision Making: Knowledge of legal and ethical standards in behavioral health care, including mandatory reporting laws, client rights, and professional boundaries.
• Informed Consent: Ensuring clients understand the treatment process, including risks, benefits, and their rights.
• Client Advocacy: Ability to advocate for clients’ needs within the healthcare system, ensuring they receive appropriate services and treatment.
• Safety Planning: Ability to create and implement safety plans for clients at risk of harm to themselves or others.
• De-escalation Techniques: Proficiency in non-violent communication and de-escalation techniques to manage potentially volatile situations.
• Electronic Health Records (EHR): Familiarity with using EHR systems for documenting and tracking client data, treatment plans, and progress.