Behavioral Health Specialist (BHS) (FT, Nights)

We’re not just behavioral health people—we’re crisis people.

Connections Health Solutions is a leading provider of immediate-access behavioral health crisis care. Our team combines medical and recovery-oriented treatment to stabilize individuals in crisis and connect them to community-based resources for ongoing recovery.

Founded by emergency room psychiatrists Dr. Chris Carson and Dr. Robert Williamson, our model is physician-led and data-driven, drawing upon more than 15 years of crisis care expertise. Recognized by SAMHSA and the National Council for Mental Wellbeing as a national best practice, we’ve delivered invaluable treatment to hundreds of thousands of individuals facing crises. Our commitment remains consistent, to improve access, inspire hope, and provide the right support.

Our values shape our decisions, define our culture, and foster continuous learning and growth.

We accept people as they are, creating safe spaces where they feel valued and respected. We inspire hope by walking with people side-by-side, showing them grace and compassion. We act with intention, holding ourselves and each other accountable, and doing the right thing. We work as one team, trusting and supporting each other. We embrace change and innovation, striving to find better ways to fulfill our mission.

We are on a mission to change the face of behavioral health. Help us save lives and make a difference.

Earn More with Shift Differentials

Maximize your earnings with additional hourly pay:

+$2/hr -> Monday-Thursday Nights

+$3/hr -> Friday-Sunday Nights

+$2/hr -> Saturday-Sunday Days

What You'll Do:

The Behavioral Health Specialist (BHS) is a vital member of the interdisciplinary care team who helps create a safe, secure, welcoming, and therapeutic environment. This position has frequent direct interaction with individuals and plays an important role in shaping their experience from admission through discharge.

Working in a high-acuity, fast-paced setting, the Behavioral Health Specialist provides compassionate and respectful support to individuals experiencing acute behavioral health symptoms, substance use concerns, homelessness, and other complex needs. The role supports admissions and discharges, maintains required observations, assists with daily needs, recognizes and communicates changes in behavior or condition, and responds to safety concerns and emergencies.

Success requires compassion, sound judgment, strong situational awareness, teamwork, flexibility, and the ability to remain calm and professional under pressure.

Individual Support and Experience

Welcomes individuals and provides compassionate, respectful, and nonjudgmental support from admission through discharge.

Provides orientation to the Observation Unit and Residential Crisis Stabilization Unit.

Supports safe admissions, transfers, and discharges and assists individuals with meals, clothing, comfort items, and other daily needs.

Builds therapeutic rapport while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries and supporting the organization’s “No Wrong Door” approach.

Educates individuals on their rights under DBHDS and DMAS regulations, grievance process, provides expectations, and explains rules and regulations.

Safety, Observation, and Crisis Response

Conducts safety screenings and inventories, searches, documents, and secures individual belongings according to established procedures.

Maintains required levels of observation and accurately documents observations within established timeframes.

Recognizes and promptly communicates changes in behavior, condition, risk, or environmental safety to the interdisciplinary team.

Uses therapeutic communication, trauma-informed practices, redirection, and approved de-escalation techniques.

Participates in approved restraints, seclusion, or other safety interventions, when necessary, permitted, and appropriately trained.

Responds to emergencies and performs CPR, Safe Clinch, and other approved emergency-response techniques within the scope of training.

Clinical and Interdisciplinary Support

Effectively and positively communicates and collaborates with nurses, providers, clinicians, peer and recovery support professionals, and other care team members.

Participates in shift handoffs, team huddles, and care coordination activities.

Obtains and documents vital signs and promptly reports concerning results to the responsible nurse or medical provider.

Performs approved clinical support activities, which may include blood alcohol, urine drug, and pregnancy testing, when permitted and trained.

Supports individual care and safety plans and safely escorts, moves, or transports individuals as needed.

Documentation and Compliance

Documents observations, services, interventions, and significant interactions accurately and timely in the Electronic Health Record (EHR).

Maintains confidentiality and follows established clinical, safety, security, and infection-prevention procedures.

Completes required training, certifications, competencies, and meetings within established timeframes.

Attends court-ordered hearings when subpoenaed and provides factual testimony consistent with documented observations.

Facility and Team Support

Helps maintain a clean, safe, organized, and therapeutic care environment.

Supports routine unit needs, including food service, linens, and laundering individual clothing when needed.

Responds flexibly to changing facility needs and supports colleagues across assigned care areas.

Additional Duties

Perform all other duties consistent with the responsibilities and scope of the position.

What You'll Bring:

High school diploma or equivalent

At least one (1) year of experience in behavioral health, healthcare, human services, customer service, hospitality, corrections, emergency services, residential care, or another direct service environment

Basic computer skills and ability to accurately document information in an Electronic Health Record (EHR)

Ability to communicate effectively with individuals, families, coworkers, and members of the interdisciplinary team

Ability to complete required training and maintain required competencies, including CPR, crisis prevention/de-escalation, Safe Clinch/restraint training, and other facility required safety procedures

Ability to meet the physical requirements of the position, including responding quickly to emergencies, assisting with physical interventions when trained, and lifting/moving individuals or equipment as required

Must pass the following background checks

State of Virginia Fingerprint Clearance

Must be able to pass Virginia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services (VA DBHDS) background check

Must be able to pass Virginia Department of Social Services (VA DSS) Office of Background Investigations - Central Registry Search

Must be able to obtain a Food Handlers Card for the State of Virginia

Medical screenings (Physical, TB, and Drug test)

The Company has a mandatory vaccination policy. All successful applicants must be fully vaccinated, including showing proper documentation, or otherwise be exempt pursuant to the Company’s exemption process prior to their start date as a condition of employment

Physical Requirements

Safely perform physical interventions (e.g., standing, pivoting, reaching, kneeling, lowering to the floor, and supporting another person’s weight)

Lift, push, pull, or carry up to 50 lbs. occasionally

Tolerate prolonged walking, standing, and observation in a fast-paced environment

Work with individuals who may exhibit agitation, aggression, or unpredictable behavior

It would be great if you had:

Experience in behavioral health, healthcare, crisis services, substance use treatment, residential care, emergency services, or another high-acuity service environment

Completion of CNA or Patient Care Tech program