Behavioral Health Specialist

General Summary:

The Behavioral Health Specialist provides integrated behavioral health services within a primary care setting, supporting patients with mental health, substance use, and psychosocial needs. Working as part of an interdisciplinary care team, this role delivers assessments, brief interventions, therapy, care coordination, and referrals to ensure whole person, culturally competent care.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develops personalized treatment plans based on the client's specific needs and goals and employ evidence based therapy techniques to address negative thought patterns and behaviors.
• Provides brief, evidence based interventions for patients experiencing mild to moderate mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, or adjustment disorders.
• Conducts comprehensive psychosocial assessments and develop individualized care plans in collaboration with patients and their care teams.
• Delivers crisis intervention and safety planning for patients in acute distress.
• Facilitates warm handoffs from medical providers to behavioral health services during patient visits.
• Coordinates referrals to specialty mental health, substance use treatment, and community resources.
• Documents all encounters in the electronic health record (EHR) in compliance with FQHC and regulatory standards.
• Participates in interdisciplinary team meetings to ensure holistic, patient centered care.
• Engages in ongoing professional development and contribute to quality improvement initiatives.
• Educates clients and families about available resources and services.
• Demonstrates cultural humility and a deep commitment to serving diverse and underserved populations.
• Ensures compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and standards
• Communicates with hospitals, pharmacies, health departments, clinics, insurance companies, government agencies, and health providers.
• Coordinates referrals.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent communication, documentation, and organizational skills.
• Ability to handle high stress situations effectively.
• Proficiency in electronic health records (EHR) systems.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in a healthcare or social services setting.
• Knowledge of mental health and substance abuse disorders.
• Excellent assessment and analytical skills.
• Ability to develop and implement effective care plans.
• Strong organizational and time management abilities.
• Demonstrates analytical and critical thinking abilities with proactive decision making and negotiation skills.
• Empathy and dedication to client advocacy.
• Must be able to work independently.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in social work and current Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)) credential in the State of Georgia.
• Current CPR Certification.
• Experience providing behavioral health services in a healthcare, community mental health, or social service setting.
• Willingness to undergo and pass background checks and drug testing.

Typical Physical Demands:

Requires full range of body motion including handling and lifting patients, manual and finger dexterity and eye-hand coordination. Requires standing and walking for prolonged periods of time. Occasionally lifts and carries items weighing up to 50 pounds. Requires normal or corrected vision and hearing to normal range. Requires exposure to communicable diseases or bodily fluids.

HIPAA Disclosure:

This position has access to systems and/or services that contain protected health information (PHI) as defined by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. Additionally, the position ensures and adheres to strict confidentiality when handling patient information, according to the HIPAA Privacy Act and supporting GAPHC policies and procedures.

Reporting Relationship: Operations Manager/Medical Director

Supervisory Relationship: None