Behavioral Health Specialist

This position is contingent upon award

International Health and Medical Services is looking for an experienced Behavioral Health Technician to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health disorders among patients, ensuring they receive appropriate psychiatric care and support. This role includes collaborating with the healthcare team to implement treatment plans, monitor progress, and provide crisis intervention as needed, fostering mental health and well-being within the facility.

• Provides comprehensive mental health screenings, patient care management and facilitates basic psycho-educational groups.
• Augments on-site behavioral services to include patient education, segregation wellness checks, sleep checks, behavioral observations, and compliance coaching for medical and mental health patients.
• Consults with Behavioral Health Provider (BHP) to monitor patient compliance, promote safety and patient engagement within an integrated and therapeutic care milieu.
• Schedules appointments, complete medical records documentation in electronic Health Records (eHR) and coordinates follow up care for mental health patients under the direction of the BHP. 
• Assists in:
  • providing direct services to assigned population.
  • health data collection.
  • observations of behaviors and wellness checks.
  • perform sleep hygiene encounters and checks as directed.
  • prompting as needed with activities of daily living. 
  • health and general program education and patient support. 
  • patient safety and risk monitoring. 
  • escorts BH detainees to appointments as required.
  • observation of patient’s behaviors during all programming and recreation activities.
• Maintains a basic knowledge of behavioral health interventions including psychotropic medications and awareness of side effects and potential impact on patient functioning.
• Facilitate basic therapeutic and psycho-education groups (i.e. Processing Groups/Alternative Programming) and provides direct individual patient education, care and treatment.
• Assists in the development of specific behavioral treatment interventions such as coping skills, anger management, and other self-regulating behavior activities.
• Gathers patient care information through frequent contacts to assist behavioral health and medical providers with diagnosis, treatment planning, and medication management.
• Documents clinical observations of a patient’s behavior including mood, affect, mental sharpness, sleeping patterns, eating habits and overall functioning and any changes observed. 
• Performs medical housing unit and special needs monitoring and wellness checks.
• Conduct crisis management in emergent situations through sound judgement and team collaboration according to standardized facility procedures and IHSC policy.
• Conduct program schedule management to include group schedules, telehealth appointments, and individual check-ins).
• Continues professional development through in-service education, workshops, conferences and self-study necessary to maintain current knowledge applicable to the position.
• Adhere to IHSC, PBNDS, ACA, NCCHC standards.
• Maintain proficiency and accurately utilizes the IHSC electronic medical record.
• Complete required organizational compliance education, including assigned requirements that are client-specified, for Joint Commission Healthcare Staffing Services certification or other regulatory bodies.   

This list is non-exhaustive, and the role holder may be required to undertake additional duties that are not specifically listed above.

Qualifications

Required Licensure / Certification:

• American Association of Psychiatric Technicians (AAPT) certification at level three within 12 months of hire.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) required. If not American Heart Association (AHA) certified, must be within first year.

Required Education and Experience:

• Associate degree in a behavioral science/specialty field.
• Degree issuing institution and or program must be accredited by an entity recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Two years of work experience in a mental health clinic or residential healthcare setting.

Attributes and Professional Qualities:

• Strong oral/written communication skills.
• Active listening skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Strong problem solving, judgment and decision-making skills.
• Integrity/honesty.
• Demonstrated cultural awareness.
• Spanish-speaking candidates are preferred.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Basic knowledge regarding therapeutic communication and psychiatric recovery and rehabilitation skills.  Ability to conduct clinical mental health screenings.
• Ability to facilitate skill building exercises, patient safety and wellness processing groups.
• Ability to coordinate instructional recreational activities.
• Ability to communicate with cultural awareness and respond to the unique needs of members of diverse populations.
• Ability to navigate electronic health records, web-based training and communications.
• Ability to communicate proficiently in English (verbal and written) in order to develop positive rapport with patients, co-workers and other stakeholders.

• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships and take direction in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Knowledge of regulations (HIPAA/Privacy Act) regarding the confidentiality of patient health records and information as well as Personally Identifiable Information (PII).
• Moderate proficiency in common Microsoft Office programs, specifically Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and SharePoint.

Physical Requirements:

• Required to walk unaided at a normal pace for up to 5 minutes and maintain balance.
• Required to jog/fast walk up to ¼ mile.
• Requires physical exertion such as lifting objects greater than 30 pounds.
• Required to perform CPR/emergency care standing or kneeling.
• Must have the ability to assist sick, injured, or aging patients or staff exiting the building (may require lifting, dragging, wheeling, or carrying someone who weighs significantly more than self).
• Must be able to see, hear and smell with aids if necessary.
• Must be able to lift, push, or carry 30 pounds.
• Must perform the duties of my job in a stressful and often austere environment without physical limitations.
• Sitting and/or standing for extended periods of time.
• Average manual dexterity for computer operation.
• Phone or computer use for extended periods of time.

Other Special Qualifications:

• Must maintain current/physical residency in the continental U.S.
• Pass a medical examination conducted by a licensed physician within 30 days prior to initial assignment.
• U.S. citizen and have resided in the U.S. for the last five years (unless abroad on official U.S. government duty).
• Successfully engage in and complete a thorough Background Investigation.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain assigned security clearance.
• Proficiency in Spanish is preferred.

Additional Information

Pay range is based on several factors and may vary in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits. Final salary and offer will be determined by the applicant’s background, experience, skills, internal equity, and alignment with geographical market data.

Benefits – Full-time positions are eligible for our comprehensive and competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Additional benefits include a 401k plan paid time off and an annual bonus. International Health and Medical Services complies with all federal, state, and local minimum wage laws

International Health and Medical Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against employees or job applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty or status as a covered veteran in accordance with the applicable federal, state and local laws. 

About the Company

International Health and Medical Services delivers customized medical and security risk management and wellbeing solutions to enable our clients to operate safely and effectively in environments far from home. Founded in 1984, we operate in 92 countries providing integrated medical solutions to organizations with international operations. Our innovative technology and medical and security expertise focus on prevention, offering real-time, actionable insights and on-the-ground quality delivery. We provide clinical services to include “hands on” direct care at over 800 sites around the world, many of which include inpatient clinical care capabilities. With 12,000 staff (including 5,200 medical and behavioral health providers) our services include the design, deployment, and operation of healthcare solutions including freestanding surgical facilities in remote and austere environments, telemedicine consultation through a wide range of virtual modalities, referrals to a global network of more than 100,000 vetted providers, and global aeromedical evacuation. Within our portfolio of companies, International Health and Medical Services headquartered in Houston, Texas provides contracted healthcare support to Government defense and civil agencies and government contractors, including support to military exercises and operations, diplomatic missions, natural disasters, and refugee care.