The Behavioral Health Specialist is to function as part of a Care Team and to provide a wide range of behavioral health and social services duties, including conducting psycho/social evaluation, developing individualized Plan of Care, providing counseling services/external referrals, and patient assistance services as necessary. You will travel to different school within Jackson County for this position. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of professional practice standards, ethics, and code of conduct
• Knowledge of medical and mental health and substance abuse diagnoses and treatment procedures services (based on experience and within parameters of license).
• Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services.
• Requires independent judgment and skill in utilizing supportive, problem-solving or crisis intervention techniques when working with individuals and families.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively with patients, providers, and coworkers.
• Ability to perform job responsibilities in an effective and appropriate manner according to CFHC core values.
• Ability to analyze, prioritize, and organize activities to meet established deadlines and to provide timely customer service.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions clearly and precisely.
• Ability to maintain objectivity and sensitivity to persons of all social, cultural, economic and educational backgrounds.
• Must be able to sit or stand for prolonged periods of time, bend, lift, and move intermittently during the workday.

Qualifications/Education Requirements

To qualify for this position, a Master’s degree in Social Work or Professional Counseling from an accredited university or college. Minimum Experience: 2 – 3 years of experience in a health care setting preferred. Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities as well as possession of any required licenses or certifications is qualifying.  Required Licenses/Certifications: Licenses/Certifications: Active state of Mississippi Social Work licensure at the master’s level (LMSW) or Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor (P-LPC) is required. Valid Driver’s License

Core Competencies

• Works with patients and families who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical, and social problems utilizing a team-based patient-centered approach.
• Conducts intake interviews, mental status evaluations, psycho/social histories and psychological assessments (screening for addiction, danger to self-and/or others, as well as co-occurring disorders).
• Utilizes appropriate diagnostic tools, including the current edition of the DSM, to describe the symptoms and clinical presentation of clients with mental and emotional impairments.
• Formulates and implements evidence-based care plans and regularly evaluates progress made on Care Plan compliance to make individual modifications regarding goals and interventions.
• Provides referrals for both internal and external services as appropriate.
• Provides mental health and substance abuse counseling services (based on experience and within parameters of license).
• Documents patient encounters within Electronic Health Record (EHR) as well as additional databases as necessary utilizing approved workflow processes.
• Participates as a part of team huddles and other clinical team meetings as needed.
• Conducts quality improvement activities.