Behavioral Health Specialist

International Health and Medical Services; East Meadow (NY); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization is seeking a dedicated Behavioral Health Specialist. In this role, you will assess and treat mental health disorders, collaborating with a healthcare team to ensure quality care for patients. The position requires licensure and experience in behavioral health, offering competitive hourly wages and a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance

401k plan

Paid time off

Annual bonus

Qualifications

• Minimum 6 months experience in behavioral health required.
• Must be licensed to practice in respective fields (Psychology, Social Work, Mental Health Counseling).
• Preferred 3-5 years experience in direct patient care.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct psychiatric care via onsite and telepsychiatry services.
• Perform comprehensive psychiatric evaluations and initiate treatment plans.
• Maintain patient confidentiality and documentation in compliance with policies.

Skills

Mental Health Evaluation

Crisis Intervention

Patient Counseling

Interpersonal Skills

Education

Doctoral Degree in Psychology

Master's Degree in Social Work

Job description

Job Description

This position is contingent on contract award.

International Health and Medical Services is looking for an experienced Behavioral Health Specialists to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health disorders among patients, ensuring they receive appropriate psychiatric care and support. This role includes collaborating with the healthcare team to implement treatment plans, monitor progress, and provide crisis intervention as needed, fostering mental health and well-being within the facility.

Key Responsibilities

• Provides direct psychiatric care to patients via onsite and telepsychiatry services for scheduled appointments, emergency, or urgent care visit.
• Consults with the Psychiatrist and/or Clinical Director for complex psychiatric patients and as required by client policy.
• Provides infirmary care including admission, discharge, and daily rounds for patients that require higher levels of psychiatric care or monitoring.
• Performs comprehensive psychiatric evaluations and initiates treatment plans for patients as required by client policy, or as required for patient psychiatric complaint.
• Follows client policies in the management of significant mental illness including prevention of violence, homicide, self-harm and suicide.
• Applies patient-specific knowledge to monitor and control stress levels and provide emotional support and counseling to patients.
• Coordinates psychiatric care needs of patients including referrals to off-site consultants.
• Solicits and reviews pertinent psychiatric records as indicated.
• Adheres to universal precautions.
• May serve as medical escort of patients as needed, for domestic/overseas travel.
• Utilizes and documents interpretation and/or translation and/or assisted communication services as needed to ensure ability to communicate with patients or others who are Limited English Proficient (LEP) or have a communication disability or impediment.
• Maintains flexibility and adaptability to sudden changes in schedules and work requirements.
• Provide on-call coverage as needed after regular work hours and may need to return to the facility outside of normal work hours for urgent mental health needs.
• Provides relevant patient education to patients verbally and/or with handouts.
• Documents patient care visits in the required health record using required format, in compliance with client policy and guidance.
• Maintains patient confidentiality and confidentiality of medical records.
• Completes all training as required/assigned.
• Attends on-site, regional, and national meetings as required.
• Assists in program development, policy review and revisions, and data collection.

This list is non-exhaustive, and the role holder may be required to undertake additional duties that are not specifically listed above.

Qualifications:
Qualifications

Basic Requirements/Certifications:

• Mental Health Providers consist of Clinical Psychologists, Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs), or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors/Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors/Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors (LPC/LPCC/LCPC/LMHC/LCMHC) or equivalent.
• Must maintain appropriate licensure to conduct mental health evaluation, mental health and substance abuse treatment (i.e. psychotherapy – individual or group; clinical counseling, etc.), mental health diagnosis, segregation monitoring, SMI, monitoring, and assessing suicidality/homicidality risk, and suicide watch contacts.
• Must have a minimum of 6 months of full-time experience in behavioral health in direct patient care or the express approval of client Chief Psychiatrist.
• Preferred 3-5 years of full-time experience in direct patient care.
• Knowledge of training methods and sufficient interpersonal skills to develop a rapport with patients and co-workers when instructional and educational information is presented.
• American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS).
• Clinical Psychologist - Requires a current, active, valid, and unrestricted license to practice psychology in a State, a territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia
  • Doctoral Degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) directly related to full professional work in clinical psychology.
  • One year of specialized experience which includes: performing psychological evaluations, developing behavioral health treatment plans, and providing psychological counseling services.
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker – Requires a current, active, valid, and unrestricted license or certification by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level.
  • Must have a master's degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
  • Requires completion of a minimum of one year of post-MSW experience in the field of health care or other social work-related settings OR
  • A doctoral degree in social work from a school of social work may be substituted for the required one year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting.
• Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor – Requires a current, active, valid, and unrestricted license to practice at the independent practice level.
  • Must have at least one year of post-master's or post- doctoral degree mental health counseling experience.
• Employees shall have at least one year of general experience that demonstrates the following:
  • The ability to greet and deal tactfully with the public.
  • Capability of understanding and applying written and verbal orders, rules, and regulations. All personnel shall be literate and be able to interpret printed rules and regulations, detailed written orders, training instructions and materials, and must be able to compose reports.
  • Good judgment, courage, alertness, an even temperament, and render satisfactory performance through knowledge of his/her position responsibilities.
  • Ability to maintain poise and self-control during situations that involve mental stress, such as fires, explosions, civil disturbances, and building evacuations.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of forensic psychiatry concepts and principles.
• Certification as Correctional Healthcare Professional (CCHP).
• Knowledge and/or experience with client policies, NCCHC and PBNDS requirements.

Physical Requirements:

• This position is considered hazardous duty.
• Required to walk unaided at a normal pace for up to 5 minutes and maintain balance.
• Required to jog/fast walk up to ¼ mile.
• Requires physical exertion such as lifting objects greater than 30 pounds.
• Required to perform CPR/emergency care standing or kneeling.
• Must have the ability to assist sick, injured, or aging patients or staff exiting the building (may require lifting, dragging, wheeling, or carrying someone who weighs significantly more than self).
• Must be able to see, hear and smell with aids if necessary.
• Must be able to lift, push, or carry 30 pounds.
• Must perform the duties of my job in a stressful and often austere environment without physical limitations.
• Sitting and/or standing for extended periods of time.
• Average manual dexterity for computer operation.
• Phone or computer use for extended periods of time.

Other Special Qualifications:

• Minimum of 21 years of age.
• Must maintain current/physical residency in the continental U.S.
• Pass a medical examination conducted by a licensed physician within 30 days prior to initial assignment.
• Be a U.S. citizen or a person lawfully admitted into the U.S. for permanent residence.
• Have resided in the U.S. for the last five years (unless abroad on official U.S. government duty).
• Successfully engage in and complete a thorough Background Investigation.
• Poses or have ability to obtain required security clearances.
• Proficiency in Spanish is preferred.

Additional Information

Pay range is based on several factors and may vary in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits. Final salary and offer will be determined by the applicant’s background, experience, skills, internal equity, and alignment with geographical market data.

Comp Min $29/hr Max $37/hr

Benefits – Full-time positions are eligible for our comprehensive and competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Additional benefits include a 401k plan paid time off and an annual bonus. International Health and Medical Services complies with all federal, state, and local minimum wage laws

International Health and Medical Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against employees or job applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty or status as a covered veteran in accordance with the applicable federal, state and local laws.