Behavioral Health Specialist

Behavioral Health Specialist Compensation

• High School Diploma or GED: $18.00/hour + paid wellness day every other Friday
• Shift Differential: +$2.00/hour for 2nd Shift (3 PM-11 PM) and 3rd Shift (11 PM-7 AM)

Additional compensation available for candidates with professional licensure or certifications.

Full-Time | Every other Friday off (paid wellness day) | Every other weekend required | Holidays required

• 1st Shift: 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM
• 2nd Shift: 3:00 PM - 11:00 PM (+$2.00/hour shift differential)
• 3rd Shift: 11:00 PM - 7:00 AM (+$2.00/hour shift differential)

Looking for a career where your work truly matters?

Heritage Behavioral Health Center is hiring passionate professionals!

We are a mission-driven Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic located in Decatur, Illinois, dedicated to improving mental health and substance use care for individuals in a multi-county area. We recognize that all individuals at our organization have an impact on client care - regardless of the position they hold.

• Collaborative, mission-driven work environment
• Every other Friday off - paid wellness days
• Competitive salaries aligned with state and national benchmarks
• Loan forgiveness eligibility through the National Health Service Corps (NHSC)

• Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) - Mental Health Treatment

Short-term, intensive stabilization support in a structured inpatient-level setting for individuals experiencing acute mental health crises.

• Residential Rehabilitation Unit (RRU) - Substance Use Treatment

Residential recovery support for individuals addressing substance use disorders in a structured, therapeutic living environment.

• Group Homes - Supervised Residential Mental Health

Longer-term supported community living for adults with persistent mental health needs, focused on stability and independence.

Behavioral Health Specialists provide compassionate, paraprofessional support to individuals experiencing mental health and/or substance use challenges in a recovery-oriented, person-centered environment. Similar in function to a psychiatric technician, this role delivers direct care, skills coaching, safety monitoring, and daily living support that help individuals stabilize, build independence, and thrive in the community.

This role is ideal for candidates who are reliable, teachable, and committed to trauma-informed care - even in fast-paced or crisis settings.

Support Daily Living & Recovery

• Coach residents in activities of daily living (meal prep, hygiene, housekeeping, laundry) and independent living skills (medication routines, budgeting, time management).
• Promote healthy routines including sleep hygiene, nutrition, movement, and community participation.

Client Engagement & Skills Coaching

• Use motivational, strength-based approaches to build rapport and engagement.
• Facilitate or co-facilitate psycho educational groups covering coping skills, wellness, relapse prevention, and community integration.

Crisis & Safety Support

• Maintain therapeutic milieu and conduct scheduled safety checks.
• Apply de-escalation techniques and follow crisis protocols; promptly seek clinical support when risk increases.
• Support transitions between the CSU, RRU, Group Homes, and community settings.

Medication & Health Support (Non-Clinical)

• Support medication routines per program protocol (e.g., reminders, observation, and documentation when applicable).
• Encourage adherence to medical and behavioral health appointments and care plans; assist with transportation as needed.

Documentation & Communication

• Complete timely, accurate progress notes, checklists, incident reports, and shift handoffs in accordance with policy.
• Communicate effectively with clinical team members including nurses, therapists, prescribers, and case managers.

Environment, Safety, & Compliance

• Uphold trauma-informed, culturally responsive, recovery-oriented care principles.
• Maintain clean, organized, and safe environments; follow infection control and HIPAA confidentiality standards.
• Participate in required trainings, drills, and quality improvement activities.

Knowledge

• Understanding of mental health and substance use conditions, recovery principles, and social determinants of health.
• Awareness of trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and person-centered practices.

Skills

• Communication:
  Clear, compassionate verbal and written communication; active listening; professional…