Behavioral Health Support Specialist (Part- Time)

The Salvation Army USA Central Territory•Omaha, NE

About The Position

The Mental Health Respite Behavioral Health Support Specialist (BHSS) provides comprehensive day-to-day care and support to people residing in the respite program. The position promotes skill development, assists with daily living activities, and supports participants’ social, recreational, and therapeutic programming. The BHSS helps maintain a safe, structured environment, monitors participants for signs of crisis, and provides timely crisis intervention when needed. The role includes supporting personal care and coping strategies, administering and documenting medications, responding to emergencies, encouraging participation in activities and community outings, and coordinating with coworkers, leadership, outside providers, and support systems. It also involves intake and discharge support, documentation, room searches, meal preparation, and maintaining secure storage for medications and sharps. The Mental Health Respite program’s mission is to provide supportive services through professionalism, nurturance, and empowerment, helping participants grow personally, improve life skills, and transition to the least restrictive level of care within the community. The Salvation Army’s mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Ability to be flexible and work on multiple projects or tasks simultaneously.
Ability to access payroll, timekeeping, and personal data through a web-based system.
Administrative skills, including use of standard office equipment, data entry, attention to detail, and filing.
Good written and spoken communication skills and ability to maintain effective working relationships.
Ability to handle confidential matters and maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
Sensitivity to the service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
Must pass applicable background checks.
Complete Safe from Harm training within 90 days of hire.
Obtain Medication Aide Certification within 90 days of employment.
Obtain CPR/First Aid Certification within 6 months of employment.
Complete initial Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training within 6 months and annual requirements thereafter based on program/participant population.
Obtain SafeServe Food Handler Certification within 90 days of employment or as directed.

Nice To Haves

One to two years of related experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide day-to-day support to participants and assist with individual needs while ensuring participant and staff safety.
Perform hourly checks of participant wellbeing and location.
Administer and document scheduled medications and maintain secure medication storage; administer Narcan as needed and coordinate emergency response as required.
Support participants with chores and personal care tasks to promote healthy habits and use of coping strategies.
Recognize early warning signs of distress or crisis and de-escalate or intervene according to established safety protocols.
Encourage and facilitate participation in group activities, case management goals, and community outings.
Assist with intake and discharge procedures, including fumigation and inventory of belongings.
Complete timely and accurate documentation of incidents, medication, and daily care.
Participate in shift-change briefings and communicate with coworkers and leadership.
Coordinate with outside providers and support systems as needed.
Conduct random room searches, monitor for restricted items, supervise access to sharps, and manage their return to secured storage.
Prepare and serve meals according to posted schedules and maintain dining-area cleanliness.
Work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed and/or scheduled.
Perform other duties as assigned.