Behavioral Health Specialist- Askia Recovery Home

Behavioral Health Specialist

You are a caring, hard-working individual who thrives in a team environment and is committed to excellence. You have experience in medical or residential recovery setting and are comfortable interacting with patients, as well as managing administrative responsibilities.

The Dimock Center is a federally qualified community health center that heals and uplifts individuals, families and communities. Our vision is to redefine the model of a healthy community by creating equitable access to comprehensive health care and education. We promote a culture of respect, excellence, equal opportunity, and commitment to our employees and the communities we serve.

Our Behavioral Health Services programs provide residential and outpatient treatment for those struggling with mental illness, developmental disabilities, or substance use disorders. For many individuals, our programs literally save lives.

The Askia Academy serves a maximum of 24 men in ongoing recovery for up to one year. Askia Academy is a healing community providing comprehensive support to men to prepare for self-sufficiency and ongoing recovery.

Summary/Objective: Behavioral Health Specialists are a key component of the interdisciplinary team that provide support services for clients addicted to alcohol and other drugs during the first year of their recovery. The overall goal of the BHS is to monitor behaviors, care for and provide assistance to clients in early abstinence. BHS’s will perform functions efficiently and thoroughly to assure that the program runs smoothly and that the staff are supported during the admission process, day to day clinical activities and discharge.

Essential Functions

1. ­­Relates to clients and colleagues in a compassionate, professional, and respectful manner as measured by observed interactions.

2. Assures safety and support to all clients admitted to The Dimock Center.

3. Able to assess, communicate effectively and maintain therapeutic boundaries through setting limits and enforcing structure and rules of the program in a respectful manner.

4. Supports all milieu staff in all aspects of the program including: safety checks, client and room searches, supporting client’s admission and discharge processes.

5. Participates in creating a welcoming and supportive environment for new clients in the program.

6. Recognizes the importance of individual and cultural differences that influence patient behavior and applies this understanding to the care of patients.

7. Participates in the patient admission process; provides explanation of Dimock paperwork and completes all necessary intake documentation.

8. Conduct property search of clients’ belongings on admission and discharge.

9. Observes and reports to Director clients who appear sick, agitated or depressed.

10. Uses negotiating skills to minimize and de-escalate potentially dangerous situations.

11. Supervises and supports clients as needed throughout the program day.

12. Assists new clients who enter the program with paperwork, orientation and settling in.

13. Attends to the overall operation and management of the living environment.

14. Ensures that the living space is neat and clean.

15. Establishes and maintains professional boundaries for clients to ensure client safety.

16. Runs the basic day-to-day functions of the program to ensure that the unit is clean, that the clients receive meals three times a day and assist clients with any special needs.

17. Attends and participates in all staff meetings and attend trainings.

18. Assists sick or disabled clients with personal needs when they are unable to perform these tasks by themselves.

19. Oversees Smoking Policy.

20. Ensures that the program environment is stable, clean, and orderly and conducive to healing and recovery.

21. Exemplifies recovery principles in order to show by example that recovery is possible and attainable.

22. Works with program staff to develop and support new programming.

23. Other duties as assigned.

Competencies

1. Exhibits professional demeanor in tone of voice, appearance, and movement.

2. Maintains a high standard of confidentiality and professional boundaries regarding the patients, visitors, and co-workers.

3. Demonstrates serious effort to improve job performance.

4. Projects a positive attitude in professional and personal interactions in the work environment.

5. Uses effective verbal and written communication skills.

6. Cooperates with others, demonstrating respect and courtesy.

7. Maintains professional behavior in stressful situations.

Work Environment
24 Hour Clinical/ Residential Treatment Setting.

Physical Demands

Requires lifting and frequent carrying of up to 20 pounds.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
Schedule varies. Some evenings or weekends may be required.

Summary/Objective: Behavioral Health Specialists are a key component of the interdisciplinary team that provide support services for clients addicted to alcohol and other drugs during the first year of their recovery. The overall goal of the BHS is to monitor behaviors, care for and provide assistance to clients in early abstinence. BHS’s will perform functions efficiently and thoroughly to assure that the program runs smoothly and that the staff are supported during the admission process, day to day clinical activities and discharge.

Essential Functions

1. ­­Relates to clients and colleagues in a compassionate, professional, and respectful manner as measured by observed interactions.

2. Assures safety and support to all clients admitted to The Dimock Center.

3. Able to assess, communicate effectively and maintain therapeutic boundaries through setting limits and enforcing structure and rules of the program in a respectful manner.

4. Supports all milieu staff in all aspects of the program including: safety checks, client and room searches, supporting client’s admission and discharge processes.

5. Participates in creating a welcoming and supportive environment for new clients in the program.

6. Recognizes the importance of individual and cultural differences that influence patient behavior and applies this understanding to the care of patients.

7. Participates in the patient admission process; provides explanation of Dimock paperwork and completes all necessary intake documentation.

8. Conduct property search of clients’ belongings on admission and discharge.

9. Observes and reports to Director clients who appear sick, agitated or depressed.

10. Uses negotiating skills to minimize and de-escalate potentially dangerous situations.

11. Supervises and supports clients as needed throughout the program day.

12. Assists new clients who enter the program with paperwork, orientation and settling in.

13. Attends to the overall operation and management of the living environment.

14. Ensures that the living space is neat and clean.

15. Establishes and maintains professional boundaries for clients to ensure client safety.

16. Runs the basic day-to-day functions of the program to ensure that the unit is clean, that the clients receive meals three times a day and assist clients with any special needs.

17. Attends and participates in all staff meetings and attend trainings.

18. Assists sick or disabled clients with personal needs when they are unable to perform these tasks by themselves.

19. Oversees Smoking Policy.

20. Ensures that the program environment is stable, clean, and orderly and conducive to healing and recovery.

21. Exemplifies recovery principles in order to show by example that recovery is possible and attainable.

22. Works with program staff to develop and support new programming.

23. Other duties as assigned.

Competencies

1. Exhibits professional demeanor in tone of voice, appearance, and movement.

2. Maintains a high standard of confidentiality and professional boundaries regarding the patients, visitors, and co-workers.

3. Demonstrates serious effort to improve job performance.

4. Projects a positive attitude in professional and personal interactions in the work environment.

5. Uses effective verbal and written communication skills.

6. Cooperates with others, demonstrating respect and courtesy.

7. Maintains professional behavior in stressful situations.

Work Environment
24 Hour Clinical/ Residential Treatment Setting.

Physical Demands

Requires lifting and frequent carrying of up to 20 pounds.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
Schedule varies. Some evenings or weekends may be required.

Required Education and Experience

1. Bachelor’s Degree in related field required.

Other Duties
Note this job description is not designed to cover a comprehensive listing of duties that are required of the employee for this job. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.