Behavioral Health Specialist

• Schedule will be determined at hire based on team needs. Some evening and weekend hours may be required, depending on coverage.
• The Behavioral Health Specialist is housed within the Health and the Legal System (HEALS) Lab in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.
• The incumbent will be assigned to grants and contracts within the team.
• Major responsibilities include providing assessment, brief intervention, treatment plan development, individual/group therapy, psychoeducational groups, crisis intervention, referral coordination, and administrative support as assigned.
• The incumbent will also maintain timely and meticulous documentation in all clinical and/or research roles.
• Assigned duties may occur in-person and virtually at the UAMS campus and/or at various locations in the community, including within jails and prisons.
• Exact assignments may change over time depending on funding and team needs; flexibility, willingness to continue to learn, and a team-focused attitude to assignments are requirements of the position.
• For all assignments, the incumbent must have an understanding of mental health diagnosis, assessment, and treatment, especially posttraumatic stress disorder and trauma sequelae more broadly, and substance use disorder.
• The incumbent must be willing to be trained in and administer structured assessments in addition to therapeutic services.
• Our team commonly uses manualized interventions, and we adhere to best practice guidelines for intervention, so an appreciation for evidence-based practice is required.
• Prior experience with Cognitive Processing Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and other manualized evidence-based interventions is valued.
• This position requires the ability to interact and develop strong positive working relationships with a diverse group of professionals at all levels within the organization and the outside community.
• The incumbent will represent UAMS and HEALS Lab in a positive and professional manner and adhere to all best practices, guidelines, policies, and procedures as established.
• Willingness to undertake in-state travel to community sites is a requirement of the position.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in counseling, psychology, social work, or other mental health-related field.
• Must have a valid driver’s license
• Must be licensed in a Mental Health field or eligible in the State of Arkansas.
• Knowledge, experience, and expertise in the intersection of mental health and the legal system.
• 2-3 years of experience in the areas of posttraumatic stress and/or substance use disorder.
• Experience providing evidence-based therapy for PTSD, including Cognitive Processing Therapy, Prolonged Exposure, and/or Written Exposure Therapy.
• Experience providing psychoeducational training and offering public speaking.
• Strong attention to detail; ability to work on multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Excellent PC skills with demonstrated experience using Microsoft Office. Package (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook); internet.
• Training and public speaking skills.
• Strong written and verbal skills.
• Willingness to engage in statewide travel as assigned.