Behavioral Health Specialist
Heritage Behavioral Health Center- HBHC
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Heritage Behavioral Health Center in Decatur, IL is seeking a dedicated Behavioral Health Specialist to provide paraprofessional support in Residential & Crisis Programs. This role offers a base pay of $18.00/hour with paid wellness days and a $2.00/hour shift differential for 2nd and 3rd shifts.
Full-time schedule includes every other Friday off, with holidays and every other weekend. Opportunities for licensure- or certification-based increases are noted.
Qualifications
- Experience in behavioral health or related field preferred.
- Provide compassionate, trauma-informed support to residents.
- Assist with activities of daily living and monitoring.
- Document progress notes and incident reports accurately.
- Collaborate with clinical staff and case managers.
Responsibilities
- Provide compassionate paraprofessional support to residents in recovery-oriented environments.
- Assist with daily living tasks (meals, hygiene, housekeeping) and safety checks.
- Use motivational approaches to engage residents and build skills.
- Facilitate psychoeducational groups and support transitions between settings.
- Maintain documentation and effective communication with the clinical team.
Skills
Education
Job description
Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic
Serving Macon and DeWitt Counties, Illinois
- High School Diploma or GED: $18.00/hour + paid wellness day every other Friday
- Shift Differential: +$2.00/hour for 2nd Shift (3 PM–11 PM) and 3rd Shift (11 PM–7 AM)
Additional compensation available for candidates with professional licensure or certifications.
Full-Time | Every other Friday off (paid wellness day) | Every other weekend required | Holidays required
- 1st Shift: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- 2nd Shift: 3:00 PM – 11:00 PM (+$2.00/hour shift differential)
- 3rd Shift: 11:00 PM – 7:00 AM (+$2.00/hour shift differential)
Heritage Behavioral Health Center is hiring passionate professionals!
We are a mission-driven Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic located in Decatur, Illinois, dedicated to improving mental health and substance use care for individuals in a multi-county area. We recognize that all individuals at our organization have an impact on client care – regardless of the position they hold.
- Collaborative, mission-driven work environment
- Every other Friday off – paid wellness days
- Competitive salaries aligned with state and national benchmarks
- Loan forgiveness eligibility through the National Health Service Corps (NHSC)
At Heritage, we believe in taking care of our staff’s needs so that they can concentrate on taking care of the needs of the individuals we serve. Our staff are our greatest asset, and we treat them as such!
Behavioral Health Specialists are placed in one of three residential or crisis program settings based on organizational need and candidate fit:
- Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) – Mental Health Treatment
Short-term, intensive stabilization support in a structured inpatient-level setting for individuals experiencing acute mental health crises.
- Residential Rehabilitation Unit (RRU) – Substance Use Treatment
Residential recovery support for individuals addressing substance use disorders in a structured, therapeutic living environment.
- Group Homes – Supervised Residential Mental Health
Longer-term supported community living for adults with persistent mental health needs, focused on stability and independence.
Behavioral Health Specialists provide compassionate, paraprofessional support to individuals experiencing mental health and/or substance use challenges in a recovery-oriented, person-centered environment. Similar in function to a psychiatric technician, this role delivers direct care, skills coaching, safety monitoring, and daily living support that help individuals stabilize, build independence, and thrive in the community.
This role is ideal for candidates who are reliable, teachable, and committed to trauma-informed care — even in fast-paced or crisis settings.
- Coach residents in activities of daily living (meal prep, hygiene, housekeeping, laundry) and independent living skills (medication routines, budgeting, time management).
- Promote healthy routines including sleep hygiene, nutrition, movement, and community participation.
- Use motivational, strength-based approaches to build rapport and engagement.
- Facilitate or co-facilitate psychoeducational groups covering coping skills, wellness, relapse prevention, and community integration.
- Maintain therapeutic milieu and conduct scheduled safety checks.
- Apply de-escalation techniques and follow crisis protocols; promptly seek clinical support when risk increases.
- Support transitions between the CSU, RRU, Group Homes, and community settings.
- Support medication routines per program protocol (e.g., reminders, observation, and documentation when applicable).
- Encourage adherence to medical and behavioral health appointments and care plans; assist with transportation as needed.
- Complete timely, accurate progress notes, checklists, incident reports and shift handoffs in accordance with policy.
- Communicate effectively with clinical team members including nurses, therapists, prescribers, and case managers.
- Uphold trauma-informed, culturally responsive, recovery-oriented care principles.
- Maintain clean, organized, and safe environments; follow infection control and HIPAA confidentiality standards.
- Participate in required trainings, drills, and quality improvement activities.
Knowledge
- Understanding of mental health and substance use conditions, recovery principles, and social determinants of health.
- Awareness of trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and person-centered practices.
Skills
- Communication: Clear, compassionate verbal and written communication; active listening; professional boundaries.
- De-Escalation: Calm presence under pressure; ability to use verbal intervention and follow safety protocols.
- Engagement & Coaching: Motivational approaches to build skills and confidence; group facilitation basics.
- Organization & Documentation: Reliable follow-through, attention to detail, accurate records and shift handoffs.
- Teamwork: Collaborative, respectful, and responsive across multidisciplinary teams and shifts.
Abilities
- Work in 24/7 settings including nights, weekends, and holidays; adapt to changing priorities and client needs.
- Assist with physical tasks such as standing, walking, and light cleaning; help with safe transportation.
- Maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries; use sound judgment to elevate concerns to clinical staff.
- Build trust with diverse populations; demonstrate empathy, cultural humility, and non-judgment.
- High School Diploma or equivalent
- Minimum of 21 years of age
- A valid driver’s license, reliable means of transportation, and proof of automobile insurance
- Generous Time Off:Vacation, sick, personal, and holiday leave
- Wellness Benefits:Every other Friday off (paid), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and fitness reimbursement
- Insurance:Health, dental, vision, flex spending accounts (healthcare and dependent care), and additional life insurance. Health insurance includes substantial agency contributions toward the cost.
- Retirement:401(k) and Roth retirement plans
- Professional Growth:Tuition assistance and continuing education opportunities
- Loan Forgiveness:Eligible through the National Health Service Corps (NHSC)
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