DRISCOLL HEALTH PLAN·Brownsville, Texas
Provide comprehensive mental health services, including diagnostic evaluations and therapeutic interventions, to patients and their families in acute and ambulatory settings. Collaborate with medical staff to address the psychosocial impact of illness and develop supportive educational programs.
Where compassion meets innovation and technology and our employees are family.
Thank you for your interest in joining our team!
Please review the job information below.
General Purpose of Job: Provided by staff licensed by the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners or Texas State Board of Professional Counselors.
Mental Health Specialists provide a wide variety of services to include individual, family, collateral and group counseling, diagnostic evaluation, health and behavioral assessments, safety planning, crisis intervention, case management support, and referral to community resources as they address the impact of illness through mental health support and treatment.
The Mental Health Specialist will provide compassionate care and mental health services (teletherapy and/or face to face) to the families of patients as well as to patients.
The Mental Health Specialist will also offer mental health care and support to mothers in the hospital by providing mental health evaluating, referrals, resources, and individual/family counseling.
Clinical areas of focus include depression, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, anxiety and psychosomatic disorders, child abuse and neglect, exposure to violence and trauma, family issues and conflicts, school and work failure, drug abuse and other co-occurring disorders, gender-identify issues, bereavement and more.
They provide education to patients, families and hospital staff regarding health, safety, and psychosocial issues.
They work in collaboration with physicians and other patient care staff and sensitize the team on the social and emotional aspects of a patient’s illness and the impact of the illness on the family.
Additionally, the Mental Health Specialist will develop and implement informational, educational, and emotionally supportive programs for families and hospital staff.
This position will require some evening and/or weekend work.
Essential
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Hospital Specific Maintains utmost level of confidentiality at all times. Adheres to hospital policies and procedures. Demonstrates business practices and personal actions that are ethical and adhere to corporate compliance and integrity guidelines. Follows The Driscoll Way customer service standards set forth by the Hospital. Maintains annual education requirements (Cornerstone). Department Specific Maintains and follows Code of Conduct and Standards of practice set forth by Texas Licensure Boards. Responsible for professional supervision and continuing education to maintain state licensure. Attends and participates in staff meetings. Participates in the training (precepting) of new employees, supervision of social work students, and cross training of co-workers. Provides mentorship and peer support. Participates in the monthly and holiday call schedule. Travels to ambulatory clinics for education, patient assessment, and meetings as requested. Participates in annual performance improvement activities and the periodic review and revision of policy and procedures. Conducts process and debriefing support opportunities for staff concerning such issues as grief, conflict, and interaction with families. Behavioral Health Services / Patient Care Provides screening, assessment, evaluation, therapeutic intervention, treatment planning, education, safety planning, and coordination of behavioral health services in the acute care, emergency room, and ambulatory settings. Administration of mental health screening tools; i.e.; Edinburgh, PHQ-9, GAD, Columbia- Suicide Severity Scale (C- SSRS), CRAFFT, SBIRT, etc. Collaborate with the Maternal Fetal Medicine and NICU High Risk clinic. Provides mediation and crisis intervention services for patients and families Provides assessment, therapeutic support, and therapeutic treatment recommendations for long-term chronically ill patients and their families. Provides therapeutic end of life care that may include assessment, advocacy, grief and crisis counseling, and treatment recommendations. Provides professional consultation to physicians and hospital staff in regard to behavioral health concerns. Provides programming for the provision of individual, group, and family support / therapy with the goal of reducing maladaptive behavior and fostering effective psychological functioning. Provision of therapeutic interventions and treatment strategies to include but not limited to; motivational interviewing, treatment engagement, crisis intervention and intensive crisis stabilization, brief and solution focused therapy, and safety planning. Plans and facilitates support groups for patients, parents, and families Engages in shared decision making and treatment planning; Participates in care team conferences, family conferences, and patient care conferences as appropriate; Maintains compliance with: Coordinate PHQ-9 screening assistance Track completed screenings Upon suspicion/confirmation of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a child, elderly, or disabled person… Notifies appropriate agency (Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services and/or Law Enforcement agency). Participates in research studies as directed Community Plans and conducts support groups for patients, parents, and families. Serves as a liaison and advocate with community programs and agencies related to health, mental health, and community supports. Provides presentations and in-services to school personnel, students, and the community as requested. Works with staff from outside agencies to ensure quality care along the continuum. Testifies in court regarding child abuse and/or neglect. Education / Experience Master’s degree in Behavioral Health, Psychology, Social Work, or Counseling AND Two years’ experience in working in health care and or mental health / behavioral health field preferred. AND
Experience in diagnosing mental health and substance use disorders according to DSM V Diagnostic Criteria Experience providing individual, group, and family counseling Experience in the health care field. AND Bilingual in Spanish or experience in working with a language interpreter- a plus. Certificates, Licenses, Registrations. Licensure by the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners LCSW, LCSW-S, or LMSW under supervision OR Licensure by the Texas State Board of Professional Counselors LPC or LPC-Associate Spanish
Requires a Master's degree in Behavioral Health, Psychology, Social Work, or Counseling and licensure by the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners or Professional Counselors. Two years of experience in healthcare or behavioral health is preferred.
Market context
Behavioral-health openings in Texas often favor licensed clinicians because employers need candidates who can step into patient-facing care with minimal onboarding. Competition is shaped by the required master’s degree, Texas license, and preferred psychiatric experience, plus CPR and CPI certifications. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this page to save research time, then confirm your license type and highlight any psychiatric or crisis-care experience in your application.
