Behavioral Health Specialist

Company: Jwch Institute
Location: Lancaster
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

Position Purpose: The Behavioral Health Specialist will report to the Behavioral Health Aide/Specialist Supervisor or designee and will be dedicated to supporting Behavioral Health and Psychiatric providers, including LCSWs, ASWs, LMFTs, Psychiatrists, and Psychiatric Mid-Levels. The role involves managing appointments, overseeing Behavioral Health and Psychiatric panels, and coordinating care with clinic administration to address patient needs, crisis intervention, and scheduling efficiency. The ideal candidate will have documented experience working with Behavioral Health and psychiatric patients, with a strong understanding of their panels and scheduling requirements. Principal Responsibilities: Manage appointments for all Behavioral Health and Psychiatric providers, including Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs), Associate Clinical Social Workers (ASWs), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) and Psychiatrists and Psychiatric Mid-Levels. Collaborate closely with clinic administration to assist with crisis intervention, triage, and supportive counseling. Evaluate the urgency of referrals and assess patient needs. Provide warm hand-offs between clinic administration and provider staff to ensure patients receive appropriate care promptly. Oversee relevant Behavioral Health and Psychiatric panels to ensure all slots are utilized effectively and walk-in appointments are scheduled promptly. Respond to calls and emails regarding psychiatric medication refills, appointments, and urgent or emergent issues. Follow up daily on all no-shows, rescheduling as soon as possible. Conduct weekly reviews of no-show lists to ensure all have been rescheduled. Document all attempts in NextGen and maintain communication with mental health providers. Possess comprehensive knowledge of the registration and scheduling process, including check-in, payer selection, sliding scale, and fee policies. Be familiar with Behavioral Health referrals, including receiving and processing referrals, making appointments, and rescheduling. Ability to navigate the referral system within the Electronic Medical Record. Assist in preparing check-in paperwork for patients, checking in and outpatients, and confirming patient appointments as needed. Conduct pre-check-in for all patients 24 hours prior to their visit to ensure confirmation and completion of all paperwork, consents, and screenings. If not confirmed, fill the slot with a patient from the waitlist. Coordinate with Behavioral Health and medical providers, clinic staff, and assist with patient requests, including but not limited to medical records, urgent cases, referrals to the Office of the Day, and walk-ins. Attend meetings and trainings as necessary. Assist the BH Aide Supervisor or designee to ensure compliance with clinic and departmental policies and procedures. Run reports from the computer system upon request. Follow guidelines regarding scheduling appointments through email requests. Assist with other department check-in duties upon request. Work closely with medical, dental, and staff to ensure smooth patient flow and reduce waiting time. Adhere to all organizational safety policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements to ensure a safe environment for patients, staff, and visitors. Participate in required safety and compliance trainings and apply learned practices in daily work activities. Identify, report, and help mitigate unsafe conditions, incidents, or hazards in the workplace. Use equipment, tools, and supplies safely and responsibly in accordance with organizational and regulatory standards. Maintain awareness of infection control, occupational health, and emergency preparedness procedures appropriate to the role. Participate in JWCH’s customer service training called AIDET on an annual basis. Demonstrate an understanding of AIDET (Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explanation, and Thank You) to apply in patient encounters or team discussions. Utilize the AIDET communication framework to communicate with patients and team members in a manner that reduces patient anxiety, increases patient compliance, and improves clinical outcomes. Perform other duties as assigned within scope of practice. Requirements: Must have a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Social Work, or a related social service or health field. Minimum of two years of experience working with behavioral health patients or in a behavioral health setting. Minimum of one year of front office, registration, or clerical experience dealing directly with patients. Ability to relate to and communicate effectively with a diverse patient population and work within a team setting. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including strong interpersonal skills. Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment. Ability to perform assigned responsibilities within JWCH’s established guidelines in an organized, detailed, and efficient manner. Experience with Next-Gen, Excel, and Microsoft programs. Excellent computer skills and proficiency in documenting in an electronic medical record system. Bilingual (English/Spanish) is preferred. *All JWCH, Wesley Health Centers workforce are recommended to be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19. Employee Benefits: At JWCH Institute, Inc., we believe in taking care of those who take care of others. If you work 30 hours per week, you’ll enjoy competitive pay and a robust benefits package that includes: Medical, Dental, Vision Monthly employer-sponsored allowance for assistance with health premiums. Funded Health Savings Account (up to deductible) to assist with carrier-approved medical expenses. Paid time off (vacation, sick leave) and 13 paid holidays. 401(k) Safe Harbor Profit Sharing plan. Mileage reimbursement. Short- and long-term disability plans (LTD/STD). Life insurance policy & AD&D, and more! Become part of a team where your work matters. Apply today and help us change lives, one patient at a time. JWCH Institute, Inc Wesley Health Centers is an Equal Opportunity and Fair Chance Employer .

Keywords: Jwch Institute, Inglewood , Behavioral Health Specialist, Healthcare , Lancaster, California