Behavioral Health Support Specialist
Listed compensation
$20.08-$25.6/hr
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about call expectations, weekend coverage, nights and shift pattern and time off.
Job Description
Spectrum Health & Human Services
Agency Profile: Spectrum Health & Human Services respectfully partners with adults, children and families as they recover from behavioral, emotional, mental health and/or substance related disorders by offering individualized and meaningful opportunities of hope, empowerment and support to achieve self-defined improvements in their quality of life.
Full-Time 34 North Main Street, Warsaw NY
Essential Functions
Client-Facing and Recovery-Oriented Services
- Deliver psychiatric rehabilitation services through individual and group interventions that support clients in achieving functional, vocational, social, and life-role goals.
- Provide Targeted Case Management services, including care coordination, service linkage, referrals, advocacy, and follow-up to address barriers related to social determinants of health.
- Serve as a welcoming point of entry for new clients by orienting them to program services, client rights and responsibilities, and expectations to promote engagement and retention in care.
- Utilize Motivational Interviewing and person-centered planning approaches to strengthen engagement, promote self-determination, and support progress toward client-defined goals.
- Collaborate with clients and the interdisciplinary treatment team to implement services aligned with individualized treatment and action plans informed by comprehensive assessments.
- Coordinate with inpatient and other higher levels of care to support discharge planning and continuity of services.
- Support the development of natural and supportive social networks and encourage involvement of family members and collateral supports when clinically appropriate.
- Conduct outreach to clients who have missed appointments to promote re-engagement and continuity of care.
- Provide services in office-based, community-based, and telehealth settings in accordance with program needs and client preferences.
Care Coordination and Operational Support
- Maintain ongoing communication with internal and external service providers, including community, forensic, and referral partners, to support coordinated care.
- Assist clinical staff with preparation of court-related documentation, referral source reports, and routine client status updates, as applicable.
- Support care coordination activities through completion and maintenance of required consents for the release of information.
- Assist in maintaining current community resource information and sharing relevant updates with the treatment team.
- Participate in team meetings, supervision, and required agency training to support quality service delivery and professional development.
Documentation, Quality, and Compliance
- Complete accurate, timely, and compliant documentation in the electronic health record in accordance with agency, CCBHC, and regulatory standards.
- Track service delivery, utilization, and required data elements for assigned clients.
- Adhere to all organizational policies, ethical standards, and confidentiality requirements.
Required Skills and Competencies
- Knowledge of mental health, substance use, and co-occurring disorders and recovery-oriented systems of care.
- Working knowledge of community service systems, including housing, employment, education, medical, and social service resources.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage diverse populations.
- Proficiency in electronic health records and standard office software; ability to learn new systems efficiently.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, exercise sound professional judgment, and remain effective in high-pressure or crisis situations.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
- Demonstrated cultural humility and sensitivity to individuals with disabilities, trauma histories, and diverse backgrounds.
Education
Required: High School Diploma or equivalent and 1–3 years of experience in a mental health or human services setting.
Preferred: Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Human Services or related field, with at least 1 year of relevant experience.
Experience
- 1–3 years in a mental health, substance use, or human services setting (dependent on education level).
- Experience with Motivational Interviewing is a plus.
- Must possess a valid Driver’s License, a satisfactory driving record, and access to a personal vehicle for job-related travel (including client transport and community visits).
Compensation: $20.08/hr - $25.60/hr
Key Responsibilities
The specialist delivers psychiatric rehabilitation and case management services to support clients in achieving their functional and life-role goals. They also collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to implement treatment plans and maintain accurate documentation in electronic health records.
Requirements
Candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent with 1–3 years of experience in a mental health or human services setting. A valid driver's license and access to a personal vehicle are required for community-based travel.
Key Skills
Behavioral Health Career Context
In New York, the Behavioral Health weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$75k (45 salary observations; 84 listings), vs ~$77k nationally (553 salary observations; 1,803 listings). Monthly aggregates cover 2026-02-01 through 2026-10-01; these are not the modal's selected comparable-job medians.
The cost-of-living index for New York is 107.9 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$48k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $44k in an average-cost state. 64.6% of New York clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Listed pay | $42k–$53k | Behavioral Health median $75k (middle half $60k–$100k)28 comparable listings, Oct 2026 |
| New York vs national | $75k median in New York | $77k nationally (−2%)45 state / 553 national salary observations |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$44k in purchasing power | New York index 107.9 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Behavioral Health listings in New York | 41 active | 803 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026 |
| Behavioral Health pay trend | +16.4% vs prior quarter | —through Sep 2026 |
