Behavioral Health Specialist

Job Description – Behavioral Health Specialist

Position at Stony Brook Medicine.

At Stony Brook Medicine, our Behavioral Health Specialist.

• Orient patients to treatment setting and participate in team treatment. Review and implement patient treatment plan, make rounds with team, monitor mental status, and report progress or changes routinely to nursing/physician staff.
• Takes a primary role in maintaining a safe, therapeutic environment. Maintain patient safety and protect patient rights through observation, communication, and interaction. Recognize patients who are behaving aggressively, acting as a danger to themselves or others, or are in a crisis or medical emergency situation. Carry out behavior monitoring, redirecting, de‑escalation interventions, restraint/seclusion, behavior plan development and safety plan development, utilization and monitoring.
• Conduct a variety of patient treatment activities such as individual and group sessions; plan and facilitate daily group psychotherapy activities; assess and interact therapeutically with patients and families during visiting hours; provide treatment that promotes patient dignity, independence, individuality, strengths, privacy, and choice. Demonstrate respect for cultural diversity and patient boundaries.
• Provide quality patient care by maintaining knowledge and skill level related to the symptoms and treatment of behavioral disorders relevant to position responsibilities and in accordance with state agency regulations.

• Orient patients to treatment setting and participate in team treatment.
• Takes a primary role in maintaining a safe, therapeutic environment.
• Conduct a variety of patient treatment activities such as individual and group.
• Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge.

Required: Individuals should have a Master’s or doctoral degree in Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling, Psychiatric Nursing, Psychology or an equivalent field. In lieu of a Master’s or Doctoral Degree, the individual must have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a human service field and be either credentialed as an alcoholism and substance abuse counselor (CASAC) or be a Board Certified Behavioral Analyst (BCBA) within NYS.

A minimum of 3 years’ experience working in a position focused on serving those with mental illness in an inpatient hospital setting is required. Five (5) or more years of working in a mental health outpatient, partial hospital or residential setting can be substituted for the inpatient hospital requirement if deemed sufficient by the recruiting team.

Preferred: A master’s or doctoral degree is preferred.

Resume/CV should be included with the online application.

• Successfully complete pre‑employment physical examination and obtain medical clearance from Stony Brook Medicine’s Employee Health Services.
• Complete electronic reference check with a minimum of three professional references.
• Successfully complete a 4‑panel drug screen.
• Meet regulatory requirements for pre‑employment screenings.
• Provide a copy of any required New York State license(s)/certificate(s).

Stony Brook University is committed to excellence in diversity and the creation of an inclusive learning, and working environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status and all other protected classes under federal or state laws.

If you need a disability‑related accommodation, please call the University Office of Equity and Access at (631)632‑6280.

Anticipated pay range: $71,400 – $101,801 Base. Additional compensation may include location pay, inconvenience pay, and other supplemental pay.