Behavioral Health Specialist Jobs in Iowa
Behavioral Health Specialist jobs in Iowa are consistently active, with demand concentrated in community mental health centers, state-funded behavioral health systems, and integrated care settings that blend physical and mental health services. The largest hiring activity is in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City, where established employers like UnityPoint Health, University of Iowa Health Care, and Vera French Community Mental Health Center maintain ongoing behavioral health programs. The most in-demand specialties across Iowa include substance use counseling, crisis intervention, and trauma-informed care for children and families. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Families First is looking for an individual to join our team as a Behavior Health Specialist!
This position will serve the city of Bettendorf in Clinton and Scott Counties and surrounding areas in Iowa; regular travel is required.
Job Responsibilities
· Meet with clients and families as prescribed by the assessing clinician.
· Demonstrate a working knowledge of mental health diagnoses, symptoms, and effective treatment interventions.
· Utilize a holistic, systems and strengths-based approach to working with clients.
· Execute individual treatment plans utilizing curriculum and evidenced based practices.
· Understand and engage in the importance of planning for client discharge from service onset and makes referrals and recommendations accordingly.
· Ensure documentation is completed accurately and timely including, but not limited to the consent packet and releases of information (as applicable), the implementation plan signature page, the individualized crisis plan, session notes, 90-day reports, discharges, and referrals for reauthorizations.
· Communicate with members of the client’s team regarding progress, lack of progress and recommendations and attend multidisciplinary and other team meetings as applicable.
· Maintain and document face-to-face contact in alignment with agency policy and in accordance to units authorized through the treatment planning process.
· Document and provide quarterly progress reports to the client, the client’s family, and the assessing clinician.
Qualifications
· Education requirements:
· A Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work/Human Services related field from an accredited college/university with twenty (20) hours Child Mental Health Training; or
· A Bachelor’s Degree in a non-Human Services field with thirty (30) hours Child Mental Health Training.
· Possess and maintain a valid Iowa driver’s license and personal automobile insurance.
· Have immediate access to reliable transportation.
About Families First
Families First is one of the leading providers of family based, in-home and in-office services in the State of Iowa. Our employees assist children and families with daily stressors, enabling them to balance a family, work, and school.
· We are accredited by the Council on Accreditation.
· We serve approximately 3,000 individuals through our various programs in forty-seven counties within the State.
· We employ approximately 260 employees.
Join our Team – Apply Today!
Families First is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Pre-employment background check required.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $36,000.00 - $45,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Vision insurance
Work Location: On the road
Families First is looking for an individual to join our team as a Behavior Health Specialist!
This position will serve the city of Bettendorf in Clinton and Scott Counties and surrounding areas in Iowa; regular travel is required.
Job Responsibilities
· Meet with clients and families as prescribed by the assessing clinician.
· Demonstrate a working knowledge of mental health diagnoses, symptoms, and effective treatment interventions.
· Utilize a holistic, systems and strengths-based approach to working with clients.
· Execute individual treatment plans utilizing curriculum and evidenced based practices.
· Understand and engage in the importance of planning for client discharge from service onset and makes referrals and recommendations accordingly.
· Ensure documentation is completed accurately and timely including, but not limited to the consent packet and releases of information (as applicable), the implementation plan signature page, the individualized crisis plan, session notes, 90-day reports, discharges, and referrals for reauthorizations.
· Communicate with members of the client’s team regarding progress, lack of progress and recommendations and attend multidisciplinary and other team meetings as applicable.
· Maintain and document face-to-face contact in alignment with agency policy and in accordance to units authorized through the treatment planning process.
· Document and provide quarterly progress reports to the client, the client’s family, and the assessing clinician.
Qualifications
· Education requirements:
· A Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work/Human Services related field from an accredited college/university with twenty (20) hours Child Mental Health Training; or
· A Bachelor’s Degree in a non-Human Services field with thirty (30) hours Child Mental Health Training.
· Possess and maintain a valid Iowa driver’s license and personal automobile insurance.
· Have immediate access to reliable transportation.
About Families First
Families First is one of the leading providers of family based, in-home and in-office services in the State of Iowa. Our employees assist children and families with daily stressors, enabling them to balance a family, work, and school.
· We are accredited by the Council on Accreditation.
· We serve approximately 3,000 individuals through our various programs in forty-seven counties within the State.
· We employ approximately 260 employees.
Join our Team – Apply Today!
Families First is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Pre-employment background check required.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $36,000.00 - $45,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Vision insurance
Work Location: On the road
See All 54 Behavioral Health Specialist Jobs in Iowa
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Find JobsBehavioral Health Specialist Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Behavioral Health Specialist Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in behavioral health specialist jobs across Iowa.
- Iowa-issued LBSW, LISW, or LMHC license or eligibility for Iowa licensure
- Bachelor's or master's degree in social work, counseling, psychology, or related field
- Experience conducting behavioral health assessments and developing individualized treatment plans
- Familiarity with evidence-based practices such as CBT, motivational interviewing, or DBT
- Ability to document clinical notes and maintain records in electronic health record systems
- Valid Iowa driver's license and reliable transportation for community-based case management
Behavioral Health Specialist Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a behavioral health specialist in Iowa?
Most behavioral health specialist roles in Iowa require at minimum a bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or a closely related field, with many clinical positions requiring a master's degree. Licensure is governed by the Iowa Board of Social Work or the Iowa Board of Behavioral Science depending on your discipline. Common credentials include the Licensed Bachelor Social Worker, Licensed Independent Social Worker, or Licensed Mental Health Counselor designations. Entry-level candidates often begin in case management or crisis support roles while completing supervised hours toward full licensure.
Which companies hire behavioral health specialists in Iowa?
Companies currently hiring behavioral health specialists in Iowa include The University of Iowa, MercyOne, and Heartland ABA, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Iowa's behavioral health workforce is also heavily shaped by community mental health centers and state-contracted nonprofits spread across both urban and rural counties.
Which Iowa cities have the most behavioral health specialist jobs?
The Iowa cities with the most behavioral health specialist openings are Iowa City, Johnston, and Ottumwa. Des Moines leads because of its concentration of large health systems, state agency offices, and community mental health infrastructure, while Iowa City draws significant demand from University of Iowa Health Care and affiliated outpatient and inpatient behavioral health programs. Cedar Rapids supports a strong community mental health network anchored by organizations serving Linn and surrounding counties.
Are there remote behavioral health specialist jobs in Iowa?
Yes, but they are less common than in purely desk-based fields because many behavioral health specialist roles involve direct client contact, community outreach, or on-site crisis response. About 0% of behavioral health specialist openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting growing telehealth adoption. The positions most likely to be remote are those focused on telephonic care coordination, teletherapy within licensed platforms, or administrative case management that does not require in-person client visits.
How can I get hired as a behavioral health specialist in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for a case manager, crisis support specialist, or behavioral health technician role, which large Iowa employers such as UnityPoint Health and community mental health centers use to bring in candidates who are still accumulating supervised hours. Iowa's Certified Behavioral Health Specialist credential through the Iowa Certification Board for Addiction Professionals provides a recognized entry-level qualification for substance use roles. Completing an internship or practicum at a state-contracted nonprofit while finishing a bachelor's program is a common route that often converts to a paid position upon graduation.
Where can I find and apply to behavioral health specialist jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to behavioral health specialist jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings across health systems, community mental health centers, and state agencies. Search the listings for roles that match your license level, specialty, and preferred location, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 54 Behavioral Health Specialist Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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