Behavioral Health Clinician Jobs in Pennsylvania
Behavioral Health Clinician jobs in Pennsylvania represent one of the most active markets in the Mid-Atlantic region, with strong demand in community mental health, hospital-based psychiatric care, and substance use treatment settings at every level from entry-level case managers through licensed senior clinicians. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Allentown anchor the bulk of hiring, where large employers like Penn Medicine, UPMC, and Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health maintain consistent behavioral health clinician needs. Outpatient therapy, crisis intervention, and dual-diagnosis treatment are among the most in-demand specialties statewide. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 18+ Behavioral Health Clinician jobs









SHIFT:
Rotating (United States of America)
Seeking Breakthrough Makers
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) offers countless ways to change lives. Our diverse community of more than 20,000 Breakthrough Makers will inspire you to pursue passions, develop expertise, and drive innovation.
At CHOP, your experience is valued; your voice is heard; and your contributions make a difference for patients and families. Join us as we build on our promise to advance pediatric care—and your career.
CHOP does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, or any other legally protected categories in any employment, training, or vendor decisions or programs. CHOP recognizes the critical importance of a workforce rich in varied backgrounds and experiences and engages in ongoing efforts to achieve that through equally varied and non-discriminatory means.
A Brief Overview
In collaboration with and under the direction of the multi-disciplinary Behavioral Health team, the Behavioral Health Clinician II will provide comprehensive & holistic support to patients with Behavioral Health Needs as indicated across the care continuum in the CHOP Enterprise. Ensures the safety of patients at risk of harm to self or others with direct observation, therapeutic interaction, and maintaining a safe environment of care. Effectively partners with patients and families by orienting them to the unit or space, answering questions, gathering clinical information and collateral contacts, providing therapeutic support and psychoeducation. Actively engages with the patients in a therapeutic manner by providing structure/ schedule, providing direct observation, encouraging participation in group, individual, and milieu activities. Develops strong partnerships with all members of the care team with the shared goal to provide excellent, safe, & supportive care to all patients.
Work Schedule
Full Time - 36 Hours
Rotating Days, Evenings, Nights
Mix of 8-Hour & 12-Hour Shifts
Weekends & Holidays every 3rd week
What you will do
- Direct observation as outlined in the Safety Observation Levels policy (TX-10-01), and informed by patient presentation and clinical judgement of the care team.
- Manage an assigned case load for the shift
- Ability to conduct comprehensive evaluations in collaboration with clinical team as well as thorough documentation to reflect evaluation/intervention/safety planning.
- Responds appropriately and professionally to patient and family escalations by using the least restrictive method of de-escalation starting with verbal strategies and to physically intervenes using non-violent crisis intervention techniques to assure patient, family and staff safety only when verbal efforts have been ineffective and/or the safety of the patient or others is at risk.
- Provides and maintains a safe environment of care.
- Visually monitors patient for at-risk behaviors and implements the interdisciplinary plan of care.
- Obtains information from the clinical record to support patient care
- Documents observations in patient record and communicates relevant information to team members
- Promotes healthy coping via verbal support, implementing structure/schedule, execution of behavior plan developed by therapeutic team, management of the environment, modeling resiliency, providing emotional support and connecting to individual patient
- Redirects patients using appropriate verbal cues according to the plan of care
- Evaluates patient responses to interventions and communicates findings to appropriate team members
- Manages a therapeutic milieu or care environment
- Participates in development of behavior management and mental health care plan
- Encourages and monitors ADLs as a means of reinforcing safety in structured routines
- Performs vital signs after receiving initial training and maintaining competency
- Participates in safe physical transfers and safe patient ambulation through the knowledge and use of body mechanics and gait belts.
- Uses safe and effective oral feeding practices to ensure eating safety
- Provides meal support to individuals or groups including but not limited to creation of a safe space, meal monitoring, meal coaching, and maintaining a safe environment
- Participates with the RN in the application of restraints when required for safety
- Uses knowledge of behavioral health diagnosis/issue to understand the presenting problem and provides therapeutic direction and feedback to the patient.
- Communicates observation data based on the patient’s goals and plan of care.
- Responds during a psychiatric emergency using least restrictive measures to assure patient safety
- Is expert in the use of non-violent crisis prevention techniques
- Maintains therapeutic boundaries
- Provides psychoeducation to patients and families as it related to the patient careplan
- Serves as a Behavioral health expert and advocates for the patient and assists other disciplines as needed for emotionally, mentally, and physically safe interaction
- Perform initial intake and collection of patient history, mental status, and acute need to guide care team in treatment decisions
- Triage patients, obtain and record relevant information to inform and support interactions and treatment by other care team members. Identify and escalate concerns as indicated
- Answer and triage telephone calls appropriately, providing recommendation to caller supporting safety and potential need for immediate care
- Provide coaching, instruction, and orientation to Behavioral Health Clinician I team members to foster continued learning and increased clinical skill
- Lead and facilitate therapeutic groups in all areas of care that align with the organization and team goals for programming and patient outcomes
- Lead and facilitate multi-family psychoeducation sessions and assigned topics to promote family awareness, engagement, and understanding
Education Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree Required
- Master's Degree Preferred
Experience Qualifications
- At least two (2) years of work experience providing care and support to patients in a behavioral health setting Required
- Pediatric behavioral health experience preferred. Preferred
Skills and Abilities
- Proficient with Electronic Medical Record (Required proficiency)
- Ability to work independently and take initiative when necessary (Required proficiency)
- Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills are required. (Required proficiency)
- Ability to maintain composure and respond, not react in crisis situations (Required proficiency)
- Exemplifies ICARE values (Required proficiency)
- Holds team members and self-accountable (Required proficiency)
- Understands and welcomes patients, families, and team members with diverse backgrounds (Required proficiency)
Licenses and Certifications
- Certification in Nonviolent Crisis Intervention - Crisis Prevention Institute - within 3 months - Required
- Basic Life Support (BLS) - issued through on organization that requires a hands-on instructor lead psychomotor skills verification (ex. American Heart Association or Red Cross). - within 3 months - Required
To carry out its mission, CHOP is committed to supporting the health of our patients, families, workforce, and global community. As a condition of employment, CHOP employees who work in patient care buildings or who have patient facing responsibilities must receive an annual influenza vaccine. Learn more.
EEO / VEVRAA Federal Contractor | Tobacco Statement
SALARY RANGE:
$25.50 - $31.85 HourlySalary ranges are shown for full-time jobs. If you're working part-time, your pay will be adjusted accordingly.
-
At CHOP, we are committed to fair and transparent pay practices. Factors such as skills and experience could result in an offer above the salary range noted in this job posting. Click here for more information regarding CHOP's Compensation and Benefits.
See All 18 Behavioral Health Clinician Jobs in Pennsylvania
Find roles in Pennsylvania that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsBehavioral Health Clinician Jobs by City in Pennsylvania
Where Pennsylvania roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Behavioral Health Clinician Job Market in Pennsylvania
A snapshot from current Pennsylvania openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Insurance
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Pennsylvania Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in behavioral health clinician jobs across Pennsylvania.
- Active Pennsylvania licensure such as LPC, LCSW, or LSW required or eligible
- Master's degree in counseling, social work, psychology, or a related clinical field
- Experience providing direct behavioral health services in clinical or community settings
- Proficiency with electronic health records and clinical documentation standards
- Ability to complete Pennsylvania child abuse history clearance and criminal background checks
- Strong knowledge of evidence-based modalities such as CBT, DBT, or motivational interviewing
Behavioral Health Clinician Jobs in Pennsylvania: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a behavioral health clinician in Pennsylvania?
Becoming a behavioral health clinician in Pennsylvania typically requires a master's degree in counseling, social work, or a related clinical field followed by supervised clinical hours and licensure through the Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors. Depending on your discipline, you may pursue credentials such as the Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, or Licensed Social Worker, each with distinct supervision and examination requirements set by the board.
Which companies hire behavioral health clinicians in Pennsylvania?
Employers hiring behavioral health clinicians in Pennsylvania right now include Allegheny Health Network, Optum, and UPMC, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Pennsylvania's large integrated health systems, community mental health centers, and nonprofit behavioral health organizations collectively drive some of the most consistent hiring volume in the state.
Which Pennsylvania cities have the most behavioral health clinician jobs?
Pittsburgh, Erie, and Philadelphia have the most behavioral health clinician openings in Pennsylvania. Philadelphia leads because of its dense concentration of academic medical centers, community mental health networks, and large hospital systems, while Pittsburgh's strength in integrated behavioral health at UPMC and other regional systems drives demand there, and mid-sized markets like Allentown benefit from growing outpatient and community-based providers serving the Lehigh Valley.
Are there remote behavioral health clinician jobs in Pennsylvania?
Yes, and more than many clinical roles, since telehealth has become a firmly established delivery model in behavioral health. About 50% of behavioral health clinician openings tied to Pennsylvania are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting how broadly insurers and providers now reimburse virtual therapy and care management services. Outpatient therapy, care coordination, and utilization review positions are the sub-areas most likely to be listed as fully remote.
How can I get hired as a behavioral health clinician in Pennsylvania with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing a master's-level internship or post-graduate residency through a Pennsylvania community mental health center or a large system like UPMC or Jefferson Health, both of which operate structured training programs for new clinicians. Adjacent roles such as behavioral health technician, mental health case manager, or psychiatric rehabilitation specialist are widely posted across Pennsylvania and regularly serve as stepping stones. Completing your Pennsylvania provisional license application and accruing supervised hours while in an associate-level role gives you a measurable edge when applying for full clinician positions.
Where can I find and apply to behavioral health clinician jobs in Pennsylvania?
You can find and apply to behavioral health clinician jobs in Pennsylvania on Migrate Mate, which lists current Pennsylvania openings across community health, hospital, outpatient, and telehealth settings. Search the listings for roles that match your license level, specialty, and preferred location, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 18 Behavioral Health Clinician Jobs in Pennsylvania
Find roles in Pennsylvania that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Jobs