Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Behavioral Health Professional

🎯 Role Definition

We are hiring a Behavioral Health Professional (BHP) to deliver high-quality mental health services across outpatient, community, residential, or integrated primary care settings. The Behavioral Health Professional provides comprehensive clinical assessments, individualized treatment planning, evidence-based psychotherapy (individual and group), crisis stabilization and safety planning, care coordination, and thorough documentation in accordance with agency policies and state/federal regulations. The ideal candidate has strong skills in clinical documentation (EMR), risk assessment, interdisciplinary collaboration, and proven experience with modalities such as CBT, DBT, and motivational interviewing. This role emphasizes client-centered care, cultural competence, trauma-informed practice, and outcome-driven treatment.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Behavioral Health Technician / Mental Health Technician
Case Manager or Care Coordinator
Recent graduate with a Bachelor's/Master's in Social Work, Counseling, or Psychology with internship/field experience

Advancement To:

Licensed Clinical Professional (LCSW, LPC, LMFT, LMHC)
Senior Clinician / Clinical Lead
Program Manager or Clinical Supervisor
Integrated Care Program Director or Behavioral Health Director

Lateral Moves:

Care Coordination Specialist
Substance Use Disorder Clinician
School-Based Mental Health Clinician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial intake assessments using standardized instruments (PHQ‑9, GAD‑7, CANS, ASAM, DSM‑5 diagnostic criteria) to evaluate mental health status, substance use, risk factors, functional needs, and social determinants of health; synthesize findings into a prioritized clinical formulation.
Develop individualized, measurable treatment plans in collaboration with clients and families that incorporate goals, evidence‑based interventions (CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma‑Informed Care), expected timelines, frequency of services, and criteria for discharge or step‑down care.
Provide time-limited and ongoing individual psychotherapy to adolescents, adults, and/or older adults using evidence‑based approaches, adjusting interventions to stage of change, cultural background, developmental level, and clinical complexity.
Facilitate structured group therapy sessions (psychoeducation, skills training, relapse prevention, DBT skills groups) and manage group dynamics, confidentiality, and progress notes to maximize therapeutic outcomes.
Perform thorough suicide and violence risk assessments, develop and implement written safety plans, carry out imminent risk interventions, and coordinate emergency services or inpatient referrals when clinically indicated.
Deliver crisis intervention and de‑escalation services in-person and via telehealth; act as a care team resource during behavioral emergencies and coordinate with first responders, psychiatric emergency services, and inpatient units as needed.
Provide intensive case management and care coordination across systems (primary care, psychiatry, housing, vocational services, schools, justice system) to reduce barriers to care, improve adherence, and promote long-term recovery.
Monitor and document clinical progress using measurable outcome tools; review symptom trajectories and modify treatment plans based on data, collaborative team input, and client feedback.
Collaborate with psychiatrists and prescribing clinicians to support medication management, monitor efficacy and side effects, and reinforce adherence with psychoeducation and behavioral strategies.
Conduct home visits, community outreach, school consultations, or field-based services when required to engage clients who face access barriers to office‑based care.
Maintain timely, accurate, and legally compliant clinical documentation in the electronic medical record (EMR), including assessments, progress notes, crisis reports, consent forms, safety plans, and discharge summaries.
Participate in multidisciplinary treatment team meetings, case conferences, and care planning sessions to ensure integrated, coordinated care and shared clinical decision-making.
Provide culturally responsive clinical services and adapt interventions to meet the needs of diverse populations, including LGBTQ+ clients, refugees, veterans, and individuals with limited English proficiency.
Implement evidence‑based relapse prevention strategies and recovery‑oriented interventions for clients with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders.
Develop and execute discharge and transition plans that include aftercare referrals, community supports, and linkage to ongoing services to reduce readmission and sustain gains.
Track utilization metrics, maintain caseload capacity, and prioritize high‑need cases while ensuring equitable access to services.
Educate clients, families, and caregivers on diagnoses, treatment options, coping strategies, crisis response, and community resources to increase engagement and promote self‑management.
Provide trauma‑informed care practices, recognizing the prevalence of trauma and integrating safety, choice, and empowerment into clinical encounters.
Participate in clinical supervision and peer consultation, accept feedback, and engage in reflective practice to continually improve clinical competency and client outcomes.
Support program quality improvement initiatives by collecting outcome measures, contributing to performance reports, and recommending clinical workflow optimizations.
Adhere to all applicable state and federal regulations, ethical guidelines, and HIPAA requirements; report suspected abuse or mandated events promptly following agency protocols.
Assist with utilization review, authorization documentation, and payer communications to ensure services meet medical necessity and reimbursement requirements.

Secondary Functions

Develop and deliver community education and mental health outreach presentations to referral sources, schools, and partner agencies to increase program visibility and referrals.
Assist with program development, protocol updates, and clinical policy writing that align with best practices and accreditation standards.
Provide training or mentorship to allied staff, interns, and peer specialists on clinical interventions, documentation standards, and safety protocols.
Support quality assurance activities by auditing charts, participating in corrective action plans, and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs).
Participate in multidisciplinary care coordination with social services to secure housing, employment support, entitlements, and transportation for high‑need clients.
Assist billing and administrative teams by documenting service codes, time units, and clinical justification for authorization and reimbursement.
Maintain required continuing education credits, certifications, and licensure documentation; coordinate professional development opportunities with supervisors.
Engage in data collection for program evaluation, grant reporting, and outcome measurement to demonstrate service effectiveness and funding compliance.
Represent the organization at community coalitions, care networks, and stakeholder meetings to strengthen provider relationships and referral pathways.
Participate in on-call rotations or scheduled after-hours coverage where applicable to ensure continuity of care and crisis access.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Clinical assessment and diagnostic formulation using DSM‑5 criteria and standardized screening tools (PHQ‑9, GAD‑7, CANS, ASAM).
Individual, group, and family therapy delivery with demonstrated experience in CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing (MI), and trauma‑focused approaches.
Crisis intervention, suicide risk assessment, safety planning, and knowledge of involuntary commitment procedures in the applicable jurisdiction.
Case management and care coordination across behavioral health, primary care, social services, education, and criminal justice systems.
Proficiency with electronic medical records (EMR) systems, HIPAA-compliant documentation, outcome measurement entry, and service coding.
Knowledge of community resources, housing supports, entitlements (Medicaid/Medicare), and referral processes.
Experience working with co‑occurring mental health and substance use disorders, including relapse prevention and integrated treatment models.
Telehealth delivery and platform competency, including telephonic crisis management and virtual group facilitation.
Familiarity with regulatory and payer requirements, utilization review, prior authorization processes, and medical necessity documentation.
Cultural competence and ability to provide linguistically and culturally responsive services to diverse populations.
Basic familiarity with psychopharmacology and ability to coordinate effectively with prescribing clinicians.
Trauma‑informed care principles and implementation in outpatient and community settings.
Outcome measurement and quality improvement methods to track clinical effectiveness and inform practice change.

Soft Skills

Strong clinical judgment, ethical decision‑making, and ability to manage competing priorities in high‑stress situations.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills for client engagement, documentation, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Empathy, active listening, and motivational skills to engage ambivalent clients and improve treatment adherence.
Conflict management and de‑escalation skills to maintain safety and therapeutic alliance during crises.
Time management, caseload organization, and the ability to meet productivity and documentation benchmarks.
Cultural humility, adaptability, and respect for client autonomy and self‑determination.
Teamwork and collaboration with community partners, medical providers, and non‑clinical staff.
Resilience, self‑awareness, and commitment to ongoing professional growth and reflective practice.
Problem solving and creative resourcefulness to address social determinants of health and access barriers.
Leadership potential to mentor staff and contribute to program development and clinical governance.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work (BSW), Psychology, Counseling, Human Services, or a related behavioral health field; or equivalent combination of education and supervised experience per state requirements.

Preferred Education:

Master’s degree (MSW, MA, MS, MEd, MHC) in Social Work, Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Marriage & Family Therapy, or related clinical discipline.
Current state licensure or eligibility toward licensure (LCSW, LMFT, LPC, LMHC, or equivalent) preferred for clinical roles.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Social Work (BSW/MSW)
Clinical Counseling / Mental Health Counseling
Psychology (BA/MA/MS)
Marriage and Family Therapy
Addiction Counseling / Substance Use Treatment

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

1–5 years of direct behavioral health experience for non‑licensed BHP roles; 3+ years preferred for clinical responsibilities.
Experience may include outpatient therapy, residential treatment, community mental health, hospital/inpatient behavioral health, school‑based services, or crisis teams.

Preferred:

2–5+ years delivering evidence‑based therapies (CBT/DBT/MI), conducting risk assessments, and managing moderate to high‑acuity caseloads.
Demonstrated experience with care coordination, working with multidisciplinary teams, EMR documentation, and experience with populations such as children/adolescents, adults with serious mental illness, or individuals with co‑occurring substance use disorders.
Active licensure or progress toward licensure and relevant certifications (e.g., Crisis Intervention Training, CPR/First Aid) a plus.