What are the responsibilities and job description for the Behavioral Health Clinician - Nights position at Salem Health?
Location: Salem Hospital, 890 Oak Street SE, Salem, Oregon 97301
Department: Psychiatric Patient Services
Position Type: Full time, 40 hours/week, Non-Exempt
Schedule: 12:00 am – 8:00 am, Days can vary based off of departmental needs, some weekends.
Your role with us
As a behavioral health clinician, you serve as a critical frontline expert, conducting comprehensive mental health and risk assessments, providing crisis intervention and guiding patients and families through some of their most vulnerable moments. Working alongside physicians and interdisciplinary teams, you evaluate psychiatric, substance use, and safety concerns, coordinate appropriate levels of care and connect patients with vital community resources; all while thriving in a fast-paced, high-acuity environment where clinical judgment, compassion and decisive action make a meaningful impact every day.
What you'll do
- Conduct comprehensive behavioral health assessments, including mental status examinations, substance use evaluations, suicide/homicide risk assessments, DSM diagnosis, and review of psychosocial, medical and treatment history.
- Provide crisis intervention, emotional support, advocacy, and safety planning for patients and families experiencing acute behavioral health emergencies.
- Determine appropriate levels of care and facilitate referrals, including involuntary psychiatric hospitalization when clinically indicated.
- Collaborate closely with physicians, nurses, social services, community agencies, and other interdisciplinary team members to coordinate patient care and discharge planning.
- Educate patients and families about treatment recommendations, community mental health resources, substance use services and ongoing support options.
- Ensure compliance with Oregon and federal regulations, including mandatory reporting requirements and accurate clinical documentation.
- Effectively manage multiple high-priority cases in a fast paced Emergency Department environment while delivering culturally responsive, age appropriate care across diverse patient populations.
Required qualifications
- Masters Degree in Psychology, counseling, education, social work or marriage and family therapy.
- Must have once of the following: Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor.
- Two years of full time equivalent experience including adult mental health assessment.
Additional information
- Strong assessment and mental health interviewing and evaluation skills including mental status exam, alcohol and drug evaluation as well as work with the severely and persistently mentally ill.
- Advanced clinical assessment and therapy skills.
- Familiarity with public and private community mental health and chemical dependency treatment resources and financial reimbursement.
Total rewards package
Salem Health's comprehensive benefits package prioritizes your mental and physical health, financial stability, family obligations, and professional growth. Click here for details.
Why Salem Health?
Salem Health is a Top Workplace in Oregon, known for fostering a supportive culture where your contributions truly matter. As an award-winning, independent health care system, we serve our region through Salem Hospital, multiple community clinics and West Valley Hospital, ensuring broad access to high-quality care.
We believe in empowering our teams. Through Lean principles, staff help drive innovation and solve real problems. We also invest in your growth with professional development, tuition assistance, and clear career pathways. At Salem Health, you’ll find more than a job, you’ll find purpose, connection, and room to thrive.
Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status or condition protected by law.
Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for applicants. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact my.recruiter@salemhealth.org.