Behavioral Health Specialist

What You'll Do:

The Behavioral Health Specialist (BHS) is a vital member of the interdisciplinary care team who helps create a safe, secure, welcoming, and therapeutic environment. This position has frequent direct interaction with individuals and plays an important role in shaping their experience from admission through discharge.

Working in a high-acuity, fast-paced setting, the Behavioral Health Specialist provides compassionate and respectful support to individuals experiencing acute behavioral health symptoms, substance use concerns, homelessness, and other complex needs. The role supports admissions and discharges, maintains required observations, assists with daily needs, recognizes and communicates changes in behavior or condition, and responds to safety concerns and emergencies.

Success requires compassion, sound judgment, strong situational awareness, teamwork, flexibility, and the ability to remain calm and professional under pressure.

Individual Support and Experience

• Welcomes individuals and provides compassionate, respectful, and nonjudgmental support from admission through discharge.
• Provides orientation to the Observation Unit and Residential Crisis Stabilization Unit.
• Supports safe admissions, transfers, and discharges and assists individuals with meals, clothing, comfort items, and other daily needs.
• Builds therapeutic rapport while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries and supporting the organization’s “No Wrong Door” approach.
• Educates individuals on their rights under DBHDS and DMAS regulations, grievance process, provides expectations, and explains rules and regulations.

Safety, Observation, and Crisis Response

• Conducts safety screenings and inventories, searches, documents, and secures individual belongings according to established procedures.
• Maintains required levels of observation and accurately documents observations within established timeframes.
• Recognizes and promptly communicates changes in behavior, condition, risk, or environmental safety to the interdisciplinary team.
• Uses therapeutic communication, trauma-informed practices, redirection, and approved de-escalation techniques.
• Participates in approved restraints, seclusion, or other safety interventions, when necessary, permitted, and appropriately trained.
• Responds to emergencies and performs CPR, Safe Clinch, and other approved emergency-response techniques within the scope of training.

Clinical and Interdisciplinary Support

• Effectively and positively communicates and collaborates with nurses, providers, clinicians, peer and recovery support professionals, and other care team members.
• Participates in shift handoffs, team huddles, and care coordination activities.
• Obtains and documents vital signs and promptly reports concerning results to the responsible nurse or medical provider.
• Performs approved clinical support activities, which may include blood alcohol, urine drug, and pregnancy testing, when permitted and trained.
• Supports individual care and safety plans and safely escorts, moves, or transports individuals as needed.

Documentation and Compliance

• Documents observations, services, interventions, and significant interactions accurately and timely in the Electronic Health Record (EHR).
• Maintains confidentiality and follows established clinical, safety, security, and infection-prevention procedures.
• Completes required training, certifications, competencies, and meetings within established timeframes.
• Attends court-ordered hearings when subpoenaed and provides factual testimony consistent with documented observations.

Facility and Team Support

• Helps maintain a clean, safe, organized, and therapeutic care environment.
• Supports routine unit needs, including food service, linens, and laundering individual clothing when needed.
• Responds flexibly to changing facility needs and supports colleagues across assigned care areas.

Additional Duties

• Perform all other duties consistent with the responsibilities and scope of the position.

What You'll Bring:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• At least one (1) year of experience in behavioral health, healthcare, human services, customer service, hospitality, corrections, emergency services, residential care, or another direct service environment
• Basic computer skills and ability to accurately document information in an Electronic Health Record (EHR)
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals, families, coworkers, and members of the interdisciplinary team
• Ability to complete required training and maintain required competencies, including CPR, crisis prevention/de-escalation, Safe Clinch/restraint training, and other facility required safety procedures
• Ability to meet the physical requirements of the position, including responding quickly to emergencies, assisting with physical interventions when trained, and lifting/moving individuals or equipment as required
• Must pass the following background checks
  • State of Virginia Fingerprint Clearance
  • Must be able to pass Virginia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services (VA DBHDS) background check
  • Must be able to pass Virginia Department of Social Services (VA DSS) Office of Background Investigations - Central Registry Search
  • Must be able to obtain a Food Handlers Card for the State of Virginia
  • Medical screenings (Physical, TB, and Drug test)
• The Company has a mandatory vaccination policy. All successful applicants must be fully vaccinated, including showing proper documentation, or otherwise be exempt pursuant to the Company’s exemption process prior to their start date as a condition of employment
• Physical Requirements
  • Safely perform physical interventions (e.g., standing, pivoting, reaching, kneeling, lowering to the floor, and supporting another person’s weight)
  • Lift, push, pull, or carry up to 50 lbs. occasionally
  • Tolerate prolonged walking, standing, and observation in a fast-paced environment
  • Work with individuals who may exhibit agitation, aggression, or unpredictable behavior

It would be great if you had:

• Experience in behavioral health, healthcare, crisis services, substance use treatment, residential care, emergency services, or another high-acuity service environment 
• Completion of CNA or Patient Care Tech program
• Completion of BHT certification
• Experience de-escalating difficult situations, responding to conflict, redirecting behavior, or supporting individuals under stress
• Current CPR/BLS certification, crisis prevention/de-escalation certification, peer support certification, behavioral health technician credential, certified nursing assistant credential, or other relevant certification

What We Offer:

Full-time only:

• Employees (and their families) are offered comprehensive health insurance, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity
• CHS pays for Basic Life, AD&D, Short and Long-Term Disability
• Voluntary Life insurance option for employees and their families
• Health Savings Accounts (with $1,000 to $2,000 employer contribution depending on plan)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (health care and dependent care)
• 401k company match after 6 months (50% of deferrals up to 6% of compensation)
• Generous PTO starting at 160 hours accrued annually and 12 recognized company holidays
• Company‑paid parental leave available to eligible employees

All employees (Pool, Part-time and Full-time):

• Employee Assistance Program to help with confidential emotional support, work life solutions, financial solutions, legal assistance, or online support
• After 90 days, you are auto enrolled in the 401k Plan 

Connections Health Solutions is proud to be a Second Chance Employer

EEO Statement

Connections Health Solutions is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all employees and applicants.

Recruitment Fraud Warning

Connections Health Solutions has been made aware of individuals impersonating our recruiters and issuing fraudulent interview invitations and job offers.

Please note:

• Official communications come only from an email address ending in @connectionshs.com.
• We will never extend an offer without completing our formal interview process.
• We will never ask candidates to pay fees, purchase equipment, or send money as part of the hiring process.

If you receive a suspicious communication claiming to represent Connections Health Solutions, please contact [email protected]  to verify its authenticity before responding.