Behavioral Health Specialist

Position Summary

At Stony Brook Medicine, our Behavioral Health Specialist:

• Orients patients to the treatment setting and participates in team treatment. Reviews and participates in the implementation of the patient treatment plan, makes rounds with the team, monitors mental status and reports progress or changes routinely to nursing/physician staff.
• Takes a primary role in maintaining a safe, therapeutic environment. Maintains patient safety and protects patient rights through observation, communication and interaction. Recognizes patients who are behaving aggressively or are in crisis, and carries out behavior monitoring, redirection, de‑escalation interventions, restraint/seclusion, behavior plan development, safety plan development and monitoring.
• Conducts a variety of patient treatment activities such as individual and group sessions. Plans and facilitates daily group psychotherapy activities, assesses and interacts therapeutically with patients and families during visiting hours, and provides treatment that promotes patient dignity, independence, individuality, strengths, privacy and choice.
• Provides quality patient care by maintaining knowledge and skill level related to the symptoms and treatment of behavioral disorders, in accordance with state agency regulations.

• Orients patients to the treatment setting and participates in team treatment.
• Takes a primary role in maintaining a safe, therapeutic environment.
• Conducts a variety of patient treatment activities such as individual and group.
• Maintains up‑to‑date knowledge.

Required: The individual 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 should 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.

Note:

The successful candidate must frequently move about the hallways, patient rooms, and multiple floors to service patients. The candidate will also aid with the transport of patients, respond to alarms/codes, detect and communicate situations that may cause harm, and use physical interventions when necessary, including restraints and lifting patients.

Resume/CV should be included with the online application.

This position will remain posted until filled or for a maximum of 90 days. An initial review of all applicants will occur two weeks from the posting date. Candidates are advised that for full consideration, applications must be received before the initial review date. If no candidate is selected within the initial review, additional applications will be considered until a finalist is identified, and at a minimum, two weeks after the initial posting date.

The posting will close after 90 days if no candidate is hired.

• Stony Brook Medicine is a smoke‑free environment. Smoking is strictly prohibited anywhere on campus, including parking lots and outdoor areas.
• All hospital positions may be subject to changes in pass days and shifts as necessary.
• This position may require the wearing of respiratory protection, which may prohibit wearing facial hair.
• This function/position may be designated as “essential.” Employees in such positions may be required to remain at their work location or report to work during institutional emergencies.

• Successfully complete a pre‑employment physical examination and obtain medical clearance from Stony Brook Medicine's…