Behavioral Health Specialist - LMSW

Employment Type: Full time, Day Shift

About the Role

Serves as a professional behavioral health provider embedded in primary care and specialty settings. Is responsible for providing behavioral health services to assist patients and their support systems in managing mental health conditions and related psychosocial problems more effectively. Practices following the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers.

We are seeking a compassionate and skilled Behavioral Health Specialist to join our integrated care team. This role is embedded within primary care and specialty settings to deliver high-quality behavioral health services that support patients and their families in managing mental health conditions and related psychosocial concerns. All services are delivered in alignment with the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).

Responsibilities

• Conduct screenings, intake assessments, and review of electronic health records (EHR).
• Perform comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments and contribute to diagnostic formulation using DSM-5 criteria.
• Develop individualized, evidence-based care plans in collaboration with clients.
• Establish measurable goals and appropriate interventions aligned with client needs.
• Provide short-term psychotherapy and counseling to individuals, families, and groups.
• Deliver crisis intervention, triage, and behavioral care management services.
• Promote a recovery-oriented, client-centered approach to care.
• Educate patients and families on mental health conditions and self-management strategies.
• Maintain accurate, timely documentation in the EHR in accordance with clinical and billing standards.
• Coordinate services with community providers and support systems to ensure continuity of care.
• Monitor treatment effectiveness and adjust care plans based on outcomes.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary care teams to ensure coordinated delivery of services.
• Communicate patient progress, recommendations, and care updates through EHR and team discussions.
• Provide consultation and behavioral health guidance to providers and staff.
• Utilize EHRs, registries, and care tools for documentation, communication, and performance tracking.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, accreditation standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain licensure and engage in ongoing professional development.
• Participate in team meetings, committees, and organizational initiatives.
• Support research, quality improvement, and training initiatives as applicable.
• Provide supervision to interns as assigned and perform other duties as needed.
• This role will include PNES training for the treatment of patients with Nonepileptic Seizures.

Requirements

Education

• Minimum: Accredited Master's level program in clinical social work, counseling, or psychology.
• Required: Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from an accredited program.

Credentials/Licensure

• Minimum: Limited Licensed by the Michigan Board of Social Work as a Limited Licensed Master’s Social Worker with clinical designation or Licensed Professional Counselor or Limited Licensed Psychologist.
• Required: Licensed Master’s Social Worker (LMSW) with clinical designation (Michigan).
• Preferred: Fully Licensed by the Michigan Board of Social Work as a Licensed Master’s Social Worker with clinical designation, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), or Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) certification.

Experience

• Minimum: Two years of experience in health care social work and/or counseling/psychotherapy.
• Preferred: Two years of experience in health care social work and/or counseling/psychotherapy in an ambulatory or integrated care setting.

Skills and Competencies

• Interpersonal skills necessary to provide counseling and interact effectively with clients, families, and colleagues.
• Use of evidence-based clinical interventions at the individual, family, and group levels.
• Analytic skills to assess client needs, develop treatment plans, and provide sound advice and guidance.
• Knowledge of and ability to work with a broad range of cultural diversity.
• Effective psychotherapy skills; strong report writing/documentation skills.
• Ability to manage a variety of tasks and problems at the same time.
• High level of initiative and ability to self-direct to solve problems.
• Ability to work collaboratively with peers in a similar role.
• Strong assessment and clinical reasoning skills.
• Knowledge of evidence-based behavioral health interventions.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-based environment.
• Strong documentation and organizational skills.
• Commitment to patient-centered, recovery-focused care.
• Position may require bilingual Spanish ability.

Computer Competency

• Familiarity with standard desktop and windows-based computer systems, including email, e-learning, intranet, and computer navigation.
• Ability to use other software required to perform essential functions.

Physical/Mental Requirements

• Ability to work with a high level of activity, distractions, and numerous interruptions.
• Multiple assignments often need to be prioritized daily.
• Sitting for long periods of time.
• Ability to walk requests/reports around to other locations in or near the hospital complex.
• Some travel required for work-related meetings.
• Ability to bend, stoop, and reach above head, lift, and carry.
• Requires fine motor skills.
• Extensive use of keyboard, repetitive tasks of typing, and phone use.
• Long periods of listening to phone calls.
• Ability to coordinate work so deadlines are met.
• Requires flexibility in work hours.
• Ability to troubleshoot a variety of problems.
• Ability to lift up to a maximum of 35 lbs. and perform push/pull tasks requiring a maximum force of 35 lbs.
• Ability to physically operate safe patient movement equipment in compliance with the Safe Patient Movement Policy.

Working Conditions

• Exposed to a variety of attitudes, personalities, and health-related reactions from colleagues, clients, families, and visitors.
• Possible exposure to a variety of infectious diseases.
• Outpatient Psych Office/Multiple locations.