Behavioral Health Support Specialist

Job Title: Behavioral Health Support Specialist
Reports To: Director of Behavioral Health
Location: Grants Pass, Oregon - 1701 Hawthrone Ave. Grants Pass, OR, 97527
Job Type: Full Time
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Pay Range: $21-$26.50 /hour DOE
Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM -5:00 PM

Job Summary:
The Behavioral Health Support Specialist is a key member of our Behavioral Health team, helping patients connect with the care, resources, and support they need. This role works closely with primary care and behavioral health providers to identify patient needs, provide warm hand-offs, coordinate referrals, and connect patients with in-house and community behavioral health, substance use, and psychiatric services. The ideal candidate is compassionate, resourceful, and skilled at building trusting relationships while helping patients overcome barriers to care and stay engaged in their treatment.

Essential Functions:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Build trusting, supportive relationships with patients and families.
• Provide care coordination, follow-up, motivational interviewing, and goal setting as part of the collaborative care model.
• Connect patients with behavioral health, substance use, psychiatric, social service, and community resources.
• Assist patients with scheduling, preparing for, and following up on appointments.
• Identify and help resolve barriers to care, including transportation, insurance, and access to services.
• Support transitions between providers and phases of care.
• Provide patient advocacy and serve as a liaison between patients, families, providers, and community agencies.
• Collaborate with behavioral health providers and the care team to support coordinated, patient-centered care.
• Promote patient engagement, health literacy, empowerment, and equitable access to services.
• Provide culturally responsive support and education to diverse patient populations.
• Document patient interactions accurately in the EHR and collaborative care registry in accordance with SCHC protocols.
• Participate in team meetings, trainings, community events, and health fairs as needed.
• Maintain HIPAA compliance and confidentiality requirements, including 42 CFR Part 2 protections for substance use records.

Working Conditions:

• Work Environment: Primarily office-based with community-based work. Frequent interaction with patients, families, staff, and community partners, including individuals experiencing stressful circumstances. May have exposure to airborne or blood-borne pathogens and hazardous materials. Uses computers, telephones, electronic health records, and standard office equipment.
• Travel Requirements: Local travel to community locations, meetings, health fairs, and partner agencies. Requires a valid, unrestricted Oregon driver's license, automobile insurance, and safe driving record.
• Physical Demands: Ability to stand, walk, sit, bend, reach, push, carry, and lift as required to perform job duties. Ability to maintain physical mobility throughout the clinic. Vision and hearing must be within functional range, with corrective devices as needed.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

• Education:
  • High School Diploma or equivalent GED.
  • OHA-approved Community Health Worker (CHW) certification, or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire.
  • Mental Health First Aid and ASIST certification, or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire, preferred.
  • Current BLS/CPR certification, or ability to obtain within 90 days.
• Experience:
  • Minimum of two years of experience in clinical, behavioral health, social services, case management, or care coordination role.
  • Experience with behavioral health, mental health, substance use, social services, or care coordination preferred.
  • Experience serving diverse or underserved populations and working within a multidisciplinary team preferred.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong organizational, communication, interpersonal, and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently, and maintain accuracy and professionalism.
• Ability to build positive relationships and communicate effectively with diverse populations using active listening and trauma-informed approaches.
• Knowledge of behavioral health, substance use, social service, housing, and community resources preferred.
• Understanding of patient-centered, strength-based, and culturally responsive care.
• Strong commitment to confidentiality, including HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2 requirements.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with healthcare and community service providers.
• Must meet clinic immunization requirements and successfully complete required pre-employment background and drug screening.

Comprehensive Benefits Package

At Siskiyou Community Health Center, we’re committed to supporting the health, financial well-being, and work-life balance of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA) & Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• 403(b) Retirement Plan & Retirement Savings Opportunities
• Paid Time Off, Holiday & Paid Sick Time
• Family Leave
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Life Insurance
• Employer paid Mercy Flights Membership
• Tuition Reimbursement & Professional Development Support
• Mileage Reimbursement

Pre-Employment Requirements: Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a post-offer background check, employment verification, and drug screening. The drug screening must produce a negative result for marijuana and other substances prohibited by the organization’s drug-free workplace policy.

At-Will Employment: Siskiyou Community Health Center is an ‘At-Will’ employer. Nothing in this job description should be interpreted as an employment contract.

Salary : $21 - $27