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Behavioral Health Specialist Job Description

What does a Behavioral Health Specialist do?

A Behavioral Health Specialist is a qualified mental health professional who focuses on diagnosing and treating individuals with emotional and/or behavioral disorders. Their job involves assessing patients’ mental health and developing personalized treatment plans. They help people overcome problems like anxiety, depression, addiction, and behavioural issues, among others. They use a range of psychotherapeutic techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical-behavioral therapy to help patients cope with their mental health challenges. They may also refer patients to other healthcare professionals for additional care. Overall, a Behavioral Health Specialist plays an essential role in improving the mental health and well-being of individuals in the community.

Our Behavioral Health Specialist job description includes the Behavioral Health Specialist responsibilities, duties, skills, education, qualifications, and experience.

Behavioral Health Specialist Example


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If you need an example job description for a Behavioral Health Specialist download the one below, alternatively we have many other Healthcare job description samples and a job description library with over 3000 job descriptions templates that you can download for free.

What does a Behavioral Health Specialist do?

A Behavioral Health Specialist is responsible for providing specialist support and guidance to individuals, families and communities dealing with mental health issues. The role requires a comprehensive understanding of the psychological and physical aspects of mental health and the ability to provide specialist advice and support. The Behavioral Health Specialist must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills and be able to build a trusting relationship with clients. They must be able to maintain comprehensive and accurate records, and develop and implement treatment plans. The role may involve carrying out assessments, providing psychological therapy, crisis intervention and providing community-based support. The Behavioral Health Specialist must have a good understanding of relevant legislation and possess the ability to work as part of an integrated team.

Behavioral Health Specialist Role Purpose

The purpose of a Behavioral Health Specialist is to provide clinical interventions and support to individuals and families who are experiencing mental health issues. This includes assessing and evaluating the individual’s mental health, developing individualized treatment plans, providing counselling and psychotherapy, and referring patients to other health professionals or services as needed. The Behavioral Health Specialist works to promote positive mental health and well-being, and to reduce mental health symptoms and improve overall functioning.

Behavioral Health Specialist Role

Behavioural health specialist is a health professional who helps people identify and manage the behavioural, emotional and mental health issues that can impact their lives. They provide assessments, counselling and therapy, and work closely with individuals and families to help them address their issues and improve their wellbeing.

Behavioral Health Specialist Duties

  • Provide assessment, diagnosis and treatment for individuals with mental health and/or substance use disorders
  • Develop individualized treatment plans and provide crisis intervention
  • Facilitate referrals to appropriate medical, psychiatric and social services
  • Provide counseling, therapy and education to individuals, families and/or groups
  • Monitor progress and modify treatment plans as needed

Behavioral Health Specialist Requirements

  • A master's degree in psychology, social work or a related field
  • Experience in delivering individual and group counseling
  • Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with clients, families and staff
  • Excellent communication and problem-solving skills
  • Knowledge of relevant ethical, legal and professional standards
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team

Behavioral Health Specialist Skills

  • Ability to assess and diagnose mental health conditions
  • Knowledge of evidence-based treatments and interventions
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
  • Ability to maintain professional boundaries
  • Ability to work with diverse client populations

Behavioral Health Specialist Personal Traits

  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • High level of organisation and attention to detail
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team
  • Knowledge of mental health and wellbeing issues

How to write a Behavioral Health Specialist Job Advert

Use our job advert template to write a job advert for posting on job sites and job boards. Our job advertising templates are carefully created to help you reach your audience and beat the competition to the best talent.

A job description informs the reader about a job, whereas a job advert’s main objective is to sell the job opportunity to attract as many suitable applicants possible. A job advert maybe the first touch-point a candidate has with your company so it is important to create a great impression.

Job Advertisements should enticing, so considering using short, exciting language which get the reader’s attention.

How to write a Behavioral Health Specialist Job Description

To write a job description, we recommend starting with a job description template from our job description library, which contains examples for 800+ positions and professions. Our job description examples include a job summary with duties and responsibilities and skills and requirements, which can be personalised for your job vacancy.

Job Description Advice - Guidance on How to Personalise a Behavioral Health Specialist Job Specification

The hiring process and recruiting new employees to fill your key roles requires a degree of personalisation if you are to attract the best employees in a competitive employment market. The right person for a crucial role or more senior roles will likely have other employers targeting them. As your job description will be the first point of contact, you need to nail your pitch and provide the best possible service.

Job Description Tips - Help on formatting a Behavioral Health Specialist Job Specification

When creating your bespoke description and advert, you should cover and promote these points:

Job title: This should accurately reflect the role and include keywords that top talent might be using to search for jobs.

Job duties: The day to day duties, such as administrative tasks, which vary depending on the company and inform the candidate if they can complete the role.

Technical skills: These are the hard skills required through training, such as proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Soft skills: These include the interpersonal skills and general abilities the right candidates will possess. For example, the competency to prioritise multiple tasks, handle customer queries and customer complaints, work alone, or build a good relationship with coworkers.

The company's culture: Highlighting your company culture and values ensures employees thrive and find outstanding job satisfaction. Candidates that are not the right fit won’t waste their time completing the application process, meaning you can focus on qualified individuals and hire in a more timely manner.

Career progression: Including the career path will entice candidates looking for career growth. 

Training and development programs: Smaller companies may need employees with previous experience or provide educational assistance over internal training offered by larger organisations with more significant resources. 

Employee benefits: Compensation and benefits often fail to appear in job ads and while you may want to hold your cards close to your chest, failing to include them is a mistake. Consider answering common questions, such as working hours and paid leave. Researching the average salary for the role in these early stages will ensure you don’t waste your interviewer’s and the candidate’s time.

Skill gaps: Your company may need to bring in new skills beyond those required to complete the key role and duties. Thinking on an organisational level can be beneficial when contemplating skills diversity.

Legal requirements: Ensure your job advert and description does not ask for inappropriate or discriminatory personal details, such as age, marital status, or religion.

How to Hire a Behavioral Health Specialist

Once you have selected your Job Description download it or convert it to a Job Advert. From here you can post/advertise your job across our network of job boards. If you wish to use the job description for a CV Template click through for advice and Convert to a CV

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