Behavioral Health Specialist

About the position

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.

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.

Requirements

• 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).
• Must maintain appropriate licensure to conduct mental health evaluation, mental health and substance abuse treatment.
• 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.
• American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS).
• 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.
• 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.
• Must have at least one year of post-master's or post-doctoral degree mental health counseling experience.

Nice-to-haves

• Preferred 3-5 years of full-time experience in direct patient care.
• Knowledge of forensic psychiatry concepts and principles.
• Certification as Correctional Healthcare Professional (CCHP).
• Knowledge and/or experience with client policies, NCCHC and PBNDS requirements.

Benefits

• Comprehensive and competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance.
• 401k plan.
• Paid time off.
• Annual bonus.