The Behavioral Health Specialist (BHS) is responsible for creating and maintaining a therapeutic environment. Under the direction of the Program Supervisor, the BHS is responsible for the day-to-day care and supervision of agency clients and living conditions. While their salaries may differ, a common point between behavioral health professionals and the intensive in-home counselor are some of the skills required in each trade. Behavioral health therapy and counseling is one of the fastest-growing medical industries in the 21st century.
Behavioral health professionals work in a variety of settings, including mental health clinics, hospitals, community health centers, schools, private practices, and research laboratories. Behavioral health technicians generally need at least an associate's degree, although most employers prefer a bachelor's degree in a field related to mental health or medicine. Many behavioral health professionals choose to pursue a master's degree in psychology or social work to increase their job opportunities and earning potential. To aid in the hiring process, MaineHealth developed a series of interview questions to determine if behavioral health consultant candidates have the skill set, perspective, and experience needed to work in a primary care setting.
Requirements vary from state to state, but most states require candidates to hold a master's degree in behavioral health and pass an exam demonstrating knowledge of the field. If you're interested in companies where behavioral health professionals make the most money, you'll want to apply for positions at the Brookhaven National Laboratory, Sandia National Labs, and BWX Technologies. People who become behavioral health specialists often work with a team of specialists to provide recommendations for a person's emotional and behavioral care. To be successful as a behavioral health technician, you must be an excellent listener with a strong understanding of what is needed to treat or manage behavioral disorders.
To help their patients heal, a behavioral health technician must understand and help execute each patient's individualized treatment plan. Taken from the Open Door Community Health Center Behavioral Health Program, 200 Taken as a whole, the behavioral health primary care model is designed to increase the total proportion of eligible patients receiving appropriate mental and behavioral health services. To become a mental health counselor, you will need a master's degree in psychology, clinical mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, or a field related to mental health. In fact, one in eight behavioral health professionals didn't spend the extra money to attend college.
