Behavioral health specialistAt — South Coast Behavioral Health

• Assists in admission of new residents, which includes orienting resident to unit and program, checking resident for contraband and caring for resident’s valuables and belongings.

• Assists clients in the recovery process.

• Provides resident supervision in coordination with the clinical staff.

• Establishes and maintains therapeutic relationship with residents within the guidelines of the clinical programs.

• Prepare nutritious meals for clients during the shift.

• Transports residents off the property when necessary, including driving to A.A./N.A. meetings, doctor appointments, or other required destinations.

• Observe and document client self-administration of medications. Prepares controlled medication handoff. Inventories and notifies clinical staff of low inventory medications.

• Provide case management services, including facilitating groups, completing case management notes, assessment of general needs, and follow-ups to ensure that their case management needs are being met by program.

• Performs all necessary documentation regarding clients (i.e.: rounds, vitals or COWS/CIWA, group sessions)

• Performs tasks related to general center maintenance, such as bed making, room check, care of resident’s belongings, general center cleanliness, and minor property maintenance.

• Is aware of physical and safety factors on the unit, performs security rounds and reports unsafe conditions to a supervisor.

• Assists residents through the discharge process.

• Responsible for all other duties assigned by a supervisor.

The student(s) will perform the following duties, which are designed to be professional or pre-professional in nature and allow them to demonstrate the learning outcomes:

Client Care and Supervision:

Provide direct supervision of clients in a residential treatment setting, ensuring their safety and well-being.
Establish and maintain therapeutic relationships with clients, using active listening and motivational interviewing techniques to support their recovery process.
Group Facilitation:

Co-facilitate group therapy sessions, under the supervision of licensed clinicians, focusing on topics such as relapse prevention, coping strategies, and mental health management.
Plan and lead educational and therapeutic groups designed to enhance clients’ emotional, social, and coping skills.
Case Management:

Perform case management tasks, including conducting client needs assessments, documenting case notes, and following up on treatment plans to ensure that clients' needs are being met.
Assist in discharge planning, working with clinical staff to prepare clients for successful transition out of the program.
Clinical Documentation:

Complete all necessary clinical documentation, including client rounds, vitals, group notes, and medication administration logs, in compliance with certification and insurance requirements.
Observe and document client progress during their stay, using tools like COWS/CIWA for monitoring withdrawal symptoms.
Crisis Management & De-escalation:

Apply crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques when necessary to manage challenging client behaviors and ensure the safety of both clients and staff.
Assist in managing emergency situations, providing immediate care or contacting the appropriate medical or clinical staff when needed.
Medication Management:

Observe and document client self-administration of medications, ensuring adherence to treatment plans and proper recording of controlled substances.
Coordinate medication inventory checks and communicate with clinical staff regarding any issues with client medications.
Client Transportation & Appointment Coordination:

Drive clients to and from off-site appointments, including A.A./N.A. meetings, medical appointments, and legal obligations, ensuring timely and safe transportation.
Coordinate with clinical and administrative staff to manage client schedules effectively.
General Center Maintenance:

Perform routine tasks such as bed-making, room checks, and general center upkeep to ensure a clean and therapeutic environment for clients.

Training:

General Employer Orientation (Mandatory):
A thorough introduction to the facility, including a review of the organization’s mission, vision, policies, safety protocols, and procedures. This will also cover the overall structure and expectations of the Behavioral Health Technician role.

Job Shadowing & Supervised Practice:
Students will shadow experienced Behavioral Health Technicians and clinical staff during their shifts to observe best practices in client care, medication administration, and documentation. They will gradually transition to hands-on practice under supervision.

Weekly One-on-One Mentor Meetings:
Regular scheduled meetings with a designated mentor or supervisor to review progress, discuss challenges, and provide feedback on performance. These meetings will also offer opportunities for professional development discussions.

Workshops & Skills Training:
Training sessions on specific skills needed for the role, such as de-escalation techniques, therapeutic communication, crisis management, and proper documentation practices (e.g., COWS/CIWA, case management notes).

Training Literature Reviews and Testing:
Students will be provided with relevant literature and resources on behavioral health, addiction recovery, and best practices in clinical care. Periodic assessments and testing will be conducted to ensure comprehension and application of these materials.

Overview and Contextualization of Assigned Tasks:
Before students undertake any tasks independently, they will receive a detailed explanation of the purpose, procedure, and expected outcomes for each responsibility. This contextualization will help them understand how their work fits into the broader goals of the facility.

Provision of Work Samples and Documentation Templates:
Students will be provided with samples of clinical documentation (e.g., case management notes, discharge paperwork) and other work-related templates to guide them in completing their tasks to standard.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the academic internship, the student will be able to:

Demonstrate the ability to build therapeutic relationships with clients in behavioral health or addiction recovery settings.
Develop and maintain effective clinical documentation practices in compliance with certification and insurance requirements.
Facilitate group therapy and client sessions, helping clients develop coping strategies for mental health or substance abuse issues.
Implement safety protocols and security rounds to ensure a secure environment for clients.
Provide case management services, including needs assessments and follow-ups, to ensure comprehensive client care.