Behavioral Health Specialist

Optima Care Partnership; Town of Smithtown (NY); On-site; USD 48,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Brookside Multicare Nursing Center seeks a full‑time Behavioral Health Specialist to provide leadership in behavioral programming, crisis management, and interdisciplinary care for residents in a skilled nursing setting.

Responsibilities include supervising staff, coordinating activities, maintaining therapeutic milieu, and participating in treatment planning with the team. On‑site role located in Smithtown, NY, with collaboration across departments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in relevant area or 3+ years in skilled nursing setting.
• Supervisory experience required.
• Significant experience with behaviorally challenging population.
• Ability to work independently and guide a team toward objectives.
• Good oral and written communication.
• Able to participate in crisis management strategies.

Responsibilities

• Assist Staff Development Coordinator with orientation of new staff on behavioral skills and crisis management.
• Oversee daily unit operations and maintain a safe therapeutic milieu.
• Ensure structure and appropriateness of individual and group activities with clinical staff.
• Maintain communication with mental health services regarding behavioral and psychiatric issues.
• Provide crisis management support to staff and be on call 7 days/week.
• Ensure resources for effective behavioral programming and adequate supplies.
• Supervise unit staff and assess program efficacy.
• Assist in review/approval of referrals for admission.
• Participate in treatment planning as part of the interdisciplinary team.
• Establish and operate a token economy for behavioral modification.
• Coordinate and conduct monthly day trips for residents meeting behavioral goals.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Behavioral health

Crisis management

Independent worker

Communication skills

Team coordination

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in relevant area

Job description

Brookside Multicare is a full continuum of care providing extraordinary care and caring to the people that we serve. Perched atop a hill, overlooking 24 acres of scenic landscape, Brookside Multicare Nursing Center is located just an hour’s drive from New York City, in the heart of beautiful Smithtown, LI. Our newly renovated, 353-bed skilled nursing facility offers spacious private and semi-private rooms, several outdoor patios and dining areas to provide our residents with a comfortable setting within which to recover and live forward. What sets us at Brookside Multicare Nursing Center apart is our ability to combine elite-level care with genuine compassion.

We are currently seeking a full time Behavioral Health Specialist at Brookside Muticare Nursing Center. If you are looking for a diverse position as part of a creative, hardworking team where you will make a difference, we want to hear from you!

Key Responsibilities:

• 1. Assist Staff Development Coordinator in the orientation of all new staff regarding behavioral skills, programs, and crisis management strategies.
• 2. Oversee and coordinate daily operation of unit, including ensuring structured environment, maintenance of a safe therapeutic milieu.
• 3. Ensure structure and appropriateness of individual and group therapeutic activities in conjunction with other clinical staff.
• 4. Maintain communication and/or facilitate contact with mental health services regarding behavioral and psychiatric issues.
• 5. Provide crisis management support to staff and be available as “on call” 7 days/week: 24 hours/day. Assist in the determination of appropriate resident supervision levels.
• 6. Maintain sufficient resources to provide effective behavioral programming including adequate supplies of reinforcers’ activities, data, and staff.
• 7. Provide ongoing supervision of unit staff and assessment of program efficacy.
• 8. Assist in the review and approval process of referrals for program admission as needed.
• 9. Participate in individualized treatment planning as a member of the interdisciplinary team by attending team meetings, care planning, case conferences, etc.
• 10. Establish and operate a token economy as a behavioral modification tool.
• 11. Coordinate and conduct day trips monthly for residents who have met behavioral goals.

Additional Expectations:

• 1. Work collaboratively with members of other departments to provide best possible interdisciplinary care to program residents.
• 2. Assist in the collection date for program evaluation purposes & participate in Quality Assurance as per policy.
• 3. Serve on facility committees as requested by Administrator.
• 4. Attend all mandatory inservices.
• 5. Follow all facility policies and procedures.
• 6. Maintain an awareness of and support facility marketing goals and efforts.

Required Minimum Qualifications:

• 1. Bachelor’s Degree in relevant area of study or a minimum of 3 years’ experience in skilled nursing setting.
• 2. Previous supervisory experience.
• 3. Significant experience working with a behaviorally challenging population.
• 4. Ability to work independently and guide a team toward established objectives.
• 5. Good oral and written communications.
• 6. Sufficient mental & physical function to permit participation in crisis management strategies.