Position Summary

At Stony Brook Medicine, our Behavioral Health Specialist:

• Orients patients to treatment setting and participates in team treatment. Reviews and participates in implementation of the patient treatment plan, makes rounds with 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 patient observation, communication and interaction. Recognizes patients who are behaving aggressively, acting as a danger to themselves or others, or are in a crisis or medical emergency situation. Carries out behavior monitoring, re-directing, de-escalation interventions, restraint/seclusion, behavior plan development and safety plan development, utilization and monitoring.
• Conducts a variety of patient treatment activities such as individual and group. Plans and facilitates daily group psychotherapy activities. Assesses and interacts therapeutically with patients and families during visiting hours. Provides treatment that promotes patient dignity, independence, individuality, strengths, privacy, and choice. Demonstrates respect for cultural diversity and patient boundaries.
• Provides 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. 

Duties of a Behavioral Health Specialist may include the following but are not limited to: 

• Orients patients to treatment setting and participates in team treatment. 
• Potential to float to Medicine Units/ floors 
• Takes a primary role in maintaining a safe, therapeutic environment. 
• Conducts a variety of patient treatment activities such as individual and group. 
• Maintain Up-to-Date Knowledge. 

Qualifications

Required: The 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 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.          

Please note that the successful candidate must frequently move about the hallways, patient rooms, and multiple floors to service patients. The successful candidate will also aid with the transport of patients. The successful candidate is responsible for responding to alarms/codes, detecting and communicating situations that may cause harm to the patient, or others, responding to and communicating requests for assistance. In addition, they must, as necessary, use physical interventions and techniques when securing and applying restraints on patients and move restrained patients; as necessary. The successful candidate will also restrain agitated patients and aid with lifting patients.

Special Notes:   Resume/CV should be included with the online application.

Posting Overview:  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 on the application that for full consideration, applications must be received before the initial review date (which is within two weeks of the posting date). 

If within the initial review no candidate was selected to fill the position posted, additional applications will be considered for the posted position; however, the posting will close once a finalist is identified, and at minimal, two weeks after the initial posting date. Please note, that if no candidate were identified and hired within 90 days from initial posting, the posting would close for review, and possibly reposted at a later date.

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• Stony Brook Medicine is a smoke free environment. Smoking is strictly prohibited anywhere on campus, including parking lots and outdoor areas on the premises.
• All Hospital positions maybe subject to changes in pass days and shifts as necessary. 
• This position may require the wearing of respiratory protection, which may prohibit the wearing of facial hair. 
• This function/position maybe designated as “essential.” This means that when the Hospital is faced with an institutional emergency, employees in such positions may be required to remain at their work location or to report to work to protect, recover, and continue operations at Stony Brook Medicine, Stony Brook University Hospital and related facilities.

Prior to start date, the selected candidate must meet the following requirements:

• 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 (3) 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).

Failure to comply with any of the above requirements could result in a delayed start date and/or revocation of the employment offer. 

*The hiring department will be responsible for any fee incurred for examination.

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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. 

In accordance with the Title II Crime Awareness and Security Act a copy of our crime statistics can be viewed here. 

Visit our WHY WORK HERE page to learn about the total rewards we offer.

Stony Brook University Hospital, consistent with our shared core values and our intent to achieve excellence, remains dedicated to supporting healthier and more resilient communities, both locally and globally.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established as $33-$40/hr

The above salary range represents SBUH’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.  The specific salary offer will be based on the candidate’s validated years of comparable experience.  Any efforts to inflate or misrepresent experience are grounds for disqualification from the application process or termination of employment if hired.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number in your paycheck. SBUH provides generous leave, health plans, and state pension that add to your bottom line.