Behavioral Health Specialist

SUMMARY:  The Behavioral Health Specialist provides substance use disorder treatment services to individuals diagnosed with substance use disorders or co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. This position actively collaborates with a multidisciplinary team and community partners to provide comprehensive substance use disorder treatment services.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS: 

• Conduct screening and assessment activities to determine medical necessity for substance use treatment including detoxification needs, diagnostic evaluation of substance use and mental health disorders, evaluating placement within ASAM criteria, and recommend a clinical course of treatment. 
• Ability to manage an individual caseload as well as provide clinical support to the patients managed by the care team.
• Apply motivational techniques and case management to promote engagement in treatment.
• Provide services that are family and community oriented, person centered, culturally competent, and trauma-informed.
• Provide case management, resource information and referral services.
• Provide assertive coordination of care with adjunct medical and other community service providers. 
• Provide timely, accurate and complete medical record documentation.
• Participate in staff meetings, including case presentations, clinical consultation, and operational process review.  

• Participate and actively engage in clinical supervision. Work to resolve conflicts effectively and participate actively in clinical development plans.

• Establish and sustain positive team relationships. Collaborating with team, family, and community partners to support flexible patient directed care. 
• Participate in staff meetings including case presentations and provide clinical consultation within scope of practice. 
• Promote a Recovery Through Community culture.
• Demonstrate effective clinical judgment to support safe and quality treatment. 
• Maintain credentialing and adherence to ethical guidelines. 
• Provide timely, accurate and complete medical record documentation. 
• Achieve outcomes using methods that align with CODA’s mission and values: 

• Communicate accurately and positively about recovery and the use of evidence-based treatments. 
• Use data and science to identify barriers, overcome obstacles, and inform decisions.
• Be financially responsible; avoid waste, document accurately, seek new opportunities to serve. 
• Demonstrate compassion and respect for others.

• Provide comprehensive team coverage during team absences or assisting with a shared team responsibility. 
• Train and/or mentor other team members as assigned.
• Provide toxicology testing as needed.
• Participate in special projects and trainings as assigned.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• A minimum of 2 years’ experience in a similar or closely-related role.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Criminal Justice or closely related area of study OR Master’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Criminal Justice, or closely related area of study
• A minimum of 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) of coursework in some or all of the following courses: elemental/intro psychology, social psychology/sociology, human behavior, development or biology, statistics/research methods, substance misuse, criminogenic/forensic, psychopharmacology or neuroscience, cognitive development and/or communication; behavior modification, or cultural practices.   
• Knowledge of and is able to effectively apply advanced principles of motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma informed care, and similar strategies for facilitating recovery and empowerment.
• Must demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively, understand mental status concepts, symptomology, treatment and service terminology and apply each of these concepts, implement skills development strategies, and identify, implement and coordinate the services and supports identified in a treatment plan.
• Ability to engage patients in service oriented treatment plans and determine clinically relevant substance use treatment interventions.
• Ability to utilize both oral and written communications skills to effectively communicate with patients, co-workers, community resources, supervisors, and various other individuals encountered in the course of performing work while maintaining patient confidentiality and establishing professional rapport.
• Ability to operate a computer, utilize basic MS Office programs, and effectively navigate and maintain patient records in an electronic medical records system.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES:

• Attain CADC-R status within 30 days of hire (if not already in possession of CADC-R or higher)
• CADC I or above or credentialed within 12 months of employment.
• Current Oregon or Washington Driver’s License.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or ability to acquire within 90 days of hire.
• Crisis prevention certification (such as CPI) within 90 days of hire.