Behavioral Health Specialist (Full Time, BEN)

Connections Health Solutions•Tucson, AZ

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Specialist (BHS) is a member of the interdisciplinary care team responsible for helping create a safe, secure, welcoming, and therapeutic environment. The role involves frequent direct interaction with individuals and helps shape their experience from admission through discharge. In a high-acuity, fast-paced setting, the BHS provides compassionate, respectful support to individuals experiencing acute behavioral health symptoms, substance use concerns, homelessness, and other complex needs. The specialist supports admissions and discharges, maintains required observations, assists with daily needs, recognizes and communicates changes in behavior or condition, and responds to safety concerns and emergencies. The position requires compassion, sound judgment, situational awareness, teamwork, flexibility, and the ability to remain calm and professional under pressure. The BHS collaborates with the interdisciplinary team, documents care and observations in the Electronic Health Record, follows clinical and safety procedures, and helps maintain a clean, organized, therapeutic facility. Physical duties include prolonged walking and standing, responding quickly to emergencies, and potentially lifting or moving individuals or equipment. Connections Health Solutions provides immediate-access behavioral health crisis care, combining medical and recovery-oriented treatment to stabilize individuals in crisis and connect them with community resources. Its model is physician-led and data-driven and is informed by more than 15 years of crisis-care expertise.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
At least one year of experience in behavioral health, healthcare, human services, customer service, hospitality, corrections, emergency services, residential care, or another direct service environment.
Basic computer skills and ability to accurately document information in an Electronic Health Record (EHR).
Ability to communicate effectively with individuals, families, coworkers, and members of the interdisciplinary team.
Ability to complete required training and maintain competencies, including CPR, crisis prevention/de-escalation, Safe Clinch/restraint training, and other facility-required safety procedures.
Ability to meet the position’s physical requirements, including responding quickly to emergencies, assisting with physical interventions when trained, and lifting or moving individuals or equipment as required.
Must pass company-required background checks, including a physical, TB screening, and drug screening.
Must be fully vaccinated and provide proper documentation, or qualify for an exemption through the Company’s exemption process, before the start date as a condition of employment.
Arizona Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card.
Safely perform physical interventions, including standing, pivoting, reaching, kneeling, lowering to the floor, and supporting another person’s weight.
Lift, push, pull, or carry up to 50 pounds occasionally.
Tolerate prolonged walking, standing, and observation in a fast-paced environment.
Work with individuals who may exhibit agitation, aggression, or unpredictable behavior.

Nice To Haves

Experience in behavioral health, healthcare, crisis services, substance use treatment, residential care, emergency services, or another high-acuity service environment.
Completion of a CNA or Patient Care Tech program.
Completion of BHS certification.
Experience de-escalating difficult situations, responding to conflict, redirecting behavior, or supporting individuals under stress.
Current CPR/BLS certification, crisis prevention/de-escalation certification, peer support certification, behavioral health technician credential, certified nursing assistant credential, or another relevant certification.

Responsibilities

Welcome individuals and provide compassionate, respectful, nonjudgmental support from admission through discharge.
Support safe admissions, transfers, and discharges, and assist individuals with meals, clothing, comfort items, and other daily needs.
Build therapeutic rapport while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries and supporting the organization’s “No Wrong Door” approach.
Conduct safety screenings and inventories, search belongings, and document and secure belongings according to established procedures.
Maintain required observation levels and accurately document observations within established timeframes.
Recognize and promptly communicate changes in behavior, condition, risk, or environmental safety to the interdisciplinary team.
Use therapeutic communication, trauma-informed practices, redirection, and approved de-escalation techniques.
Participate in approved restraints, seclusion, or other safety interventions when necessary, permitted, and appropriately trained.
Respond to emergencies and perform CPR, Safe Clinch, and other approved emergency-response techniques within the scope of training.
Communicate and collaborate with nurses, providers, clinicians, peer and recovery support professionals, and other care team members.
Participate in shift handoffs, team huddles, and care coordination activities.
Obtain and document vital signs and promptly report concerning results to the responsible nurse or medical provider.
Perform approved clinical support activities, potentially including blood alcohol, urine drug, and pregnancy testing, when permitted and trained.
Support individual care and safety plans and safely escort, move, or transport individuals as needed.
Document observations, services, interventions, and significant interactions accurately and promptly in the Electronic Health Record.
Maintain confidentiality and follow established clinical, safety, security, and infection-prevention procedures.
Complete required training, certifications, competencies, and meetings within established timeframes.
Attend court-ordered hearings when subpoenaed and provide factual testimony consistent with documented observations.
Help maintain a clean, safe, organized, and therapeutic care environment.
Support routine unit needs, including food service, linens, and laundering individual clothing when needed.
Respond flexibly to changing facility needs and support colleagues across assigned care areas.
Perform other duties consistent with the responsibilities and scope of the position.

Benefits

Comprehensive health insurance for employees and their families, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity.
Company-paid Basic Life, AD&D, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability.
Voluntary Life insurance option for employees and their families.
Health Savings Accounts with a $1,000 to $2,000 employer contribution depending on plan.
Flexible Spending Accounts for health care and dependent care.
401(k) company match after six months: 50% of deferrals up to 6% of compensation.
PTO starting at 160 hours accrued annually and 12 recognized company holidays.
Company-paid parental leave available to eligible employees.
Employee Assistance Program with confidential emotional support, work-life solutions, financial solutions, legal assistance, and online support.
Automatic enrollment in the 401(k) Plan after 90 days for all employees.