Behavioral Health Support Specialist

Reid Hospital & Health Care Services, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 52,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Daycare

Doordash

Daily Pay

therapy dogs

massages

Forbes rated Best Places to Work 2022

Job summary

Reid Health seeks a Behavioral Health Support Specialist to join the Emergency Department care team. The role focuses on behavioral health assessments, crisis intervention, and care coordination for patients with mental health or substance use concerns.

Grant funding supports a one‑year program with responsibilities spanning crisis response and community linkage. The position includes participation in the ED Diversion Program and the hospital’s Behavioral Emergency Response Team (BERT), with

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a social service field is required.
• Licensure as LSW, LMFTA or LMHCA is required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct behavioral health screenings and crisis evaluations in the ED.
• Coordinate diversion from inpatient hospitalization to appropriate treatment.
• Provide brief solution-focused interventions and crisis stabilization.
• Assist ED providers with disposition planning and level of care decisions.
• Connect patients to community behavioral health services and resources.
• Collaborate with nurses, physicians, Reid Police and the care team to ensure safety.
• Develop individualized safety and treatment plans for at‑risk patients.
• Participate in post‑event debriefings and quality improvement initiatives.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Behavioral health assessment

Care coordination

Education

Master’s degree in social work or related field

LSW/LMFTA/LMHCA licensure

Job description

Behavioral Health Support Specialist 9327 Investing Smart to Improve Crisis Care and Outcomes (MBH) About the Position The Behavioral Health Support Specialist serves as a key member of the Emergency Department care team and is responsible for providing behavioral health assessments, crisis intervention, care coordination, and linkage to community resources for patients presenting with behavioral health or substance use concerns. The Behavioral Health Support Specialist supports the hospital’s ED Diversion Program by reducing unnecessary admissions, improving access to outpatient treatment, and facilitating timely follow up after discharge. This position also is part of the Behavioral Emergency Response (BERT), responding to behavioral health crises throughout the hospital and assisting staff with patient de‑escalation, behavioral intervention planning, and suicide prevention activities. This grant‑funded position is authorized in one‑year funding periods and is contingent upon continued grant funding, program requirements, and achievement of required outcomes. Grant funding may be renewed for additional periods; however, if funding is not renewed or otherwise becomes unavailable, employment in this position will end at the conclusion of the applicable funding period. Employment with Reid Health is at will, meaning that either the employee or Reid Health may end the employment relationship at any time, with or without notice and with or without cause, subject to applicable law. Schedule: Flex schedule and travel. These positions will need cover each other in Richmond and Connersville. 2 positions: 9a to 7p (Richmond) 2 positions: 7p to 5a (Richmond) 1 position: 11a to 9p (Connersville)

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct behavioral health screenings, psychosocial assessments, and crisis evaluations for patients presenting to the Emergency Department with mental health, substance use, or psychosocial concerns.
• Identify patients appropriate for diversion from inpatient hospitalization when clinically appropriate and coordinate alternative treatment pathways.
• Provide brief solution-focused interventions, crisis stabilization, motivation interviewing, and supportive counseling.
• Assist Emergency Department providers in determining the most appropriate level of care and disposition planning.
• Facilitate rapid connection to community-based behavioral health services, crisis services, addiction treatment, primary care, and social support resources.
• Collaborate with community organizations to improve transitions of care and reduce gaps in service delivery.
• Complete suicide risk assessments.
• Assist patients identified as moderate to high risk for suicide with development of individualized safety plans prior to discharge or transition of care.
• Facilitate safety planning interventions utilizing evidence-based suicide prevention practices.
• Educate patients and families regarding warning signs, coping strategies, support resources, and crisis response options.
• Coordinate follow-up and referral services for patients identified at elevated suicide risk.
• Serve as an active member of the hospital Behavioral Emergency Response Team (BERT).
• Respond to behavioral health emergencies and security codes throughout the facility.
• Provide crisis intervention, behavioral assessment, and de‑escalation support for patients exhibiting escalating behaviors.
• Collaborate with nursing, physicians, Reid Police, and other interdisciplinary team members to promote patient and staff safety.
• Assist in developing behavioral intervention plans and recommendations for hospitalized patients experiencing psychiatric symptoms or behavioral disturbances.
• Participate in post-even debriefings and quality improvement initiatives related to behavioral emergency responses.
• Collect, enter, and maintain data necessary for grant reporting and program evaluation.
• Monitor outcome measures related to Emergency Department diversion, referral completion, follow‑up compliance, behavioral health utilization, and patient engagement.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all‑inclusive and can be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities that management deems necessary.

Education and Experience

• Minimum of a Master’s Degree in a social service degree (ex: MSW).
• Licensure and Certification: LSW, LMFTA, LMHCA.
• Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Ability to work collaboratively with participating hospitals, community mental health centers, social service agencies, schools, primary care providers, EMS agencies, and other regional stakeholders.
• Ability to create individualized treatment plans and safety plans.
• Ability to Collect Data, Outcome Measures, and program evaluation.
• Work Environment: Emergency Department, Inpatient medical/surgical floors, and Inpatient Psychiatry.

This Rural Health Transformation Program is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $206,927,896.80 with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

This description is intended to describe the general nature and most essential duties to be performed by individuals assigned to this job title. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. Management has the right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to the job at any time. All Reid Health campuses are smoke‑free. Our values of Excellence, Empathy, Integrity and Accountability are essential to exceed our customers’ expectations. At Reid, we look for individuals who believe in our core values and demonstrate a genuine desire to make a positive impact to those we serve. We take pride in employing people who show up every day with a commitment to these values along with our mission and vision. We are one team working toward a common goal of providing outstanding customer care and service to our communities. If you have a calling to serve and are looking for meaningful and purposeful work, Reid Health is the place for you. Reid Health’s inpatient hospital is a 189‑bed, regional referral center with a Level III Trauma Center and a Primary Stroke Center designation. Reid Health’s outpatient services include more than 40 specialties and sub‑specialties throughout an eight‑county service area. With more than 3,100 employees, 100 volunteers, and 170 healthcare clinicians on staff, Reid Health believes in wholeness -- in body, mind, and spirit. The minute you step through Reid’s doors, you’ll be surrounded by friendly faces. Each of our employees plays an important role in the friendly and caring environment we call Reid Health. It’s more than a place to work.

• Daycare
• Doordash
• Daily Pay
• therapy dogs
• massages
• Forbes rated Best Places to Work 2022

Equal Employment Opportunity has been, and will continue to be, a fundamental principle at Reid Health.

Therefore, Reid Health provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran or military status, genetic information, or any other factor protected by law. This applies to all policies and procedures relating to recruitment and hiring, compensation, benefits, termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.

Employment with Reid Health is on an 'at-will' basis. This means that either you or Reid Health may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, and with or without notice.