Behavioral Health Specialist – Acute Treatment Services; Per Diem

Behavioral Health Specialist - Acute Treatment Services (Per Diem)

• Approved Salary: $21-$25/hr, dependent on relevant experience, education and/or licensure
• Schedule:
  
  Per diem, no guaranteed schedule; minimum 4 shifts per month, mostly night shifts and weekends, with team members called to work day, evening, weekend, holiday, and short-notice shifts based on staffing needs (pay differential available for certain shifts); onsite in Roxbury, MA

You are a compassionate, dependable, and team-oriented professional who thrives in a fast-paced behavioral health environment. You remain calm under pressure, build trust quickly, and understand that every interaction can make a difference in someone's recovery. Whether supporting admissions, maintaining a safe therapeutic environment, or assisting patients through detox, you are committed to providing respectful, recovery-focused care.

The Dimock Center is a federally qualified community health center that heals and uplifts individuals, families, and communities. Our vision is to redefine the model of a healthy community by creating equitable access to comprehensive health care and education. We foster a culture of respect, excellence, equity, and accountability while investing in the people who make our mission possible.

Dimock's Behavioral Health Services provide life-changing residential and outpatient treatment for individuals living with substance use disorders, mental illness, and developmental disabilities. Every day, our teams help people take the first step toward recovery and long-term wellness.

Our 39-bed Acute Treatment Services (ATS) program provides medically monitored detoxification for individuals experiencing alcohol and opioid withdrawal. For more than 40 years, Dimock has been a trusted leader in addiction treatment. Today, the Dr. Lucy Sewall Center for Acute Treatment Services continues that legacy by expanding access to evidence-based care and serving thousands of individuals each year on their journey toward recovery.

Behavioral Health Specialists are essential members of the interdisciplinary treatment team, partnering closely with nursing, clinicians, and providers to ensure patients receive safe, compassionate, and effective care throughout the detoxification process. In this role, you will help maintain a structured, therapeutic environment by supporting admissions and discharges, monitoring patient safety, facilitating recovery-focused activities, and responding to changing patient needs. Your presence, professionalism, and ability to build rapport contribute directly to a safe environment where healing can begin.

This is a per diem position designed to provide flexible staffing support; per diem team members may be called on short notice to work day, evening, weekend, or holiday shifts based on operational needs.

• Promote a safe, respectful, and recovery-oriented therapeutic environment for all patients.
• Build positive therapeutic relationships while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Monitor patient safety and promptly communicate changes in condition or behavior to nursing staff.
• Support patient admissions, orientations, and discharge processes.
• Complete intake documentation accurately and explain required program paperwork.
• Conduct property and room searches in accordance with program policies.
• Perform routine safety checks and support overall unit operations.
• Assist patients with orientation, daily routines, meals, and recovery programming.
• Facilitate psycho educational and recovery-focused groups as assigned.
• Utilize verbal de-escalation and conflict resolution techniques to manage challenging situations.
• Enforce program expectations consistently, respectfully, and therapeutically.
• Assist patients who require support with personal care due to illness or physical limitations.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized treatment environment.
• Collaborate effectively with nurses, clinicians, case managers, providers, and fellow Behavioral Health Specialists.
• Participate in staff meetings, required trainings, and ongoing professional development.
• Support new initiatives and quality improvement efforts within the program.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Compassionate, patient-centered approach to care.
• Strong judgment and the ability to remain calm during crisis situations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to establish trust while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Strong teamwork and…