Mental Health Specialist

Position Summary

The Mental Health Specialist provides direct support to clients within a six-bed Mental Health Residential Treatment setting. This role is designed for emerging professionals with a bachelor’s degree or in the final stages of completing coursework in social work, psychology or a related field who wish to gain hands on clinical experience. The Mental Health Specialist assists with direct care support, group facilitation, case management, risk assessment and crisis intervention, while contributing to a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Client Care and Case Management
  • Assist with ongoing case management tasks, including coordinating appointments, maintaining communication with providers, and supporting discharge/aftercare planning.
  • Transport clients safely to and from appointments, community activities and recovery related outings, maintaining professionalism and therapeutic rapport.
  • Support clients in developing daily living skills, self-care routines, and household responsibilities consistent with treatment goals.
  • Document all client interactions, observations, and incidents accurately and timely in accordance with program and licensing standards.
• Therapeutic and Clinical Support
  • Co-facilitate psychoeducational, skills-based and process groups under clinical supervision (e.g., DBT, mindfulness, relapse prevention, emotional regulation, ADL skill building).
  • Assist clients with setting and achieving recovery goals.
  • Support clients with developing and achieving treatment plan goals and documenting progress as needed.
  • Conduct ongoing behavioral observations and report relevant information to the clinical team for treatment planning.
  • Participate in the completion of risk assessments (e.g., C-SSRS, SAFE-T) under supervision to monitor client safety and risk status.
  • Assist with crisis de-escalation and intervention, utilizing trauma-informed communication, grounding techniques and emergency protocols when necessary.
  • Provide supportive one-on-one check-ins to reinforce coping skills, emotional regulation and safety planning within the scope of training.
• Milieu and House Management
  • Maintain structure and consistency within the daily schedule, ensuring adherence to treatment programming and program guidelines.
  • Foster a positive, recovery-oriented community by modeling healthy communication, emotional regulation, and conflict resolution skills.
  • Support the upkeep of the home environment by assisting clients with chores, meal preparation, and maintaining cleanliness in shared spaces.
  • Ensure the facility is maintained in a safe, clean, and orderly condition.
  • Monitor self-administration of medication as per program policy and report any deviations or safety concerns to the supervising staff immediately.
• Professional Development and Team Collaboration
  • Engage in supervision and ongoing training to enhance professional competence and clinical judgment.
  • Demonstrate openness to feedback, willingness to learn, and commitment to developing skills in strength-based communication, risk management, and crisis response.
  • Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team—including therapists, medical staff, and BHTs—to ensure continuity and quality of care.
  • Uphold confidentiality, ethical standards, and all company policies and procedures.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (or current final-year student) in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Human Services or related behavioral health field.
• Experience in mental health, social services, or residential treatment preferred.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, and recovery principles is strongly preferred.
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record required.
• Ability to complete and document risk assessments (C-SSRS, SAFE-T, etc.) with appropriate supervision.
• CPR/First Aid certification or willingness to obtain upon hire.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, reliability, and capacity for maintaining professional boundaries.

Core Competencies

• Trauma-informed and strength-Based Approach
• Crisis de-escalation and intervention skills
• Risk assessment and safety monitoring
• Effective communication and documentation
• Collaborative and team-oriented mindset
• Commitment to ongoing learning and professional growth

Work Environment

• Residential home setting with 24/7 client care.
• Requires flexibility to work on weekends, evenings, or holidays.
• Frequent driving and direct client contact.