Behavioral Health Specialist Jobs in Kentucky
Behavioral health specialist jobs in Kentucky are concentrated in community mental health centers, substance use treatment programs, and state-funded social services, with demand at every level from entry-level case aide to licensed clinical supervisor. Louisville, Lexington, and Bowling Green account for the bulk of active openings, where established employers like Seven Counties Services, Communicare Health Services, and the University of Kentucky HealthCare system maintain consistent hiring pipelines. The most in-demand specialties are substance use disorder counseling, crisis intervention, and co-occurring disorder treatment. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 35+ Behavioral Health Specialist jobs
PERKS & PAY
- Non-Independently Licensed Pay – Up to an annual salary of $60,000 for full-time. This position is also eligible for monthly incentives based on monthly billable hours.
- Independently Licensed Pay – Up to an annual salary of $75,000 for full-time. This position is also eligible for monthly incentives based on monthly billable hours
- Potential for up to 12% annual contingency bonus
- Generous plan for paid time off (PTO) (Up to 16 days the first year)
- 10 Paid Holidays
- Individual and family insurance coverage: Various medical, vision, and dental plans to choose from
- HSA Employer match up to $1000, depending on plan
- 401(k) with employer match
- Professional Development
- FREE Supervision!
- Potential eligibility for student loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program
QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s Degree or above in a clinical field of study related to behavioral health from an accredited institution. Licensed independently or willingness to obtain independent licensure while under supervision,
- Relevant education, training, experience, knowledge, and expertise to meet the needs of clients through individual, family, and group therapy, including but not limited to addressing trauma and promoting recovery of children with serious emotional disturbance and/or adults with serious mental illness.
- Knowledge of Housing First principles, trauma-informed care, homeless services systems, and housing resources preferred.
- Valid driver's license and ability to travel throughout the service area required.
- Ability to provide services in community and non-traditional treatment settings.
- Experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness, serious mental illness, substance use disorders, and/or co-occurring disorders preferred.
- Experience providing community-based behavioral health services, outreach, case management, or care coordination preferred.
JOB DUTIES
- Implement and maintain the Behavioral Healthcare program's philosophy, principles, and procedures in all facets of performance related to the assigned treatment program.
- Provide services and conduct oneself in a manner consistent with the professional Code of Conduct of NorthKey Community Care.
- Conduct street outreach, community-based engagement, and therapeutic outreach activities to identify, assess, and engage individuals experiencing homelessness and housing instability.
- Complete behavioral health assessments, diagnostic evaluations, treatment plans, and reassessments promptly and in accordance with organizational standards.
- Provide individual, family, and group therapy; crisis intervention; counseling; psychoeducation; and other clinically appropriate behavioral health services.
- Utilize evidence-based and trauma-informed practices to address mental health, substance use, co-occurring disorders, and barriers to recovery and housing stability.
- Engage clients in a structured, collaborative relationship that promotes recovery, empowerment, self-determination, and self-management of behavioral health conditions.
- Develop person-centered treatment plans based on client-identified needs, diagnoses, strengths, and recovery goals.
- Address trauma and promote recovery for adults with serious mental illness, substance use disorders, and co-occurring conditions.
- Collaborate with shelters, housing providers, healthcare organizations, social service agencies, and other community partners to support client recovery, stability, and housing outcomes.
- Participate in interdisciplinary staffing, care coordination, and case consultation meetings to identify needs, address service gaps, and coordinate appropriate services and referrals.
- Assist clients in accessing benefits, entitlements, healthcare, housing resources, and other community supports necessary to achieve treatment and recovery goals.
- Participate in SOAR-related efforts and collaborate with team members to support eligible clients in applying for SSI/SSDI and other benefits.
- Provide services in office, community, shelter, residential, and other field-based settings as clinically appropriate. Identify and address risks that may contribute to psychiatric hospitalization, emergency department utilization, continued homelessness, or loss of community functioning.
- Complete documentation, treatment records, and billing requirements accurately and within established timeframes.
- Participate in ongoing training and professional development activities related to behavioral health treatment, homelessness, outreach engagement, housing interventions, and care coordination, including traveling to training throughout the state as needed.
- Contribute to a culture of safety and quality by using data to support decision-making, improve services, and ensure positive outcomes.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Adhere responsibly to all NorthKey policies and procedures.
- Adhere to confidentiality in all matters pertaining to client information.
- Maximize efficiency and effective use of time in maintaining accurate and punctual time reporting.
- Attend internal meetings relating to responsibilities and duties.
- Maintain a professional and business-like manner in dealing with all internal staff, Board members, state and governmental staff, sub-contractors, and vendors of NorthKey.
- Represent NorthKey in a professionally appropriate manner
NORTHKEY COMMUNITY CARE - COMPANY OVERVIEW
Since 1966, NorthKey Community Care (NorthKey) has provided quality, evidence-based mental health, substance use, and developmental disabilities services to the Northern Kentucky region with the commitment to providing the right service, at the right time, and in the right place. With multiple convenient locations throughout the Northern Kentucky region (Kenton, Boone, Campbell, Grant, Carroll, Gallatin, Pendleton, and Owen counties), NorthKey offers a wide array of mental health, substance use, and developmental disabilities services unparalleled in the region. Join our team to help us fulfill our mission of Transforming Lives and Communities Through Excellence in Mental Health, Substance Use, and Developmental Disabilities Services!
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PERKS & PAY
- Non-Independently Licensed Pay – Up to an annual salary of $60,000 for full-time. This position is also eligible for monthly incentives based on monthly billable hours.
- Independently Licensed Pay – Up to an annual salary of $75,000 for full-time. This position is also eligible for monthly incentives based on monthly billable hours
- Potential for up to 12% annual contingency bonus
- Generous plan for paid time off (PTO) (Up to 16 days the first year)
- 10 Paid Holidays
- Individual and family insurance coverage: Various medical, vision, and dental plans to choose from
- HSA Employer match up to $1000, depending on plan
- 401(k) with employer match
- Professional Development
- FREE Supervision!
- Potential eligibility for student loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program
QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s Degree or above in a clinical field of study related to behavioral health from an accredited institution. Licensed independently or willingness to obtain independent licensure while under supervision,
- Relevant education, training, experience, knowledge, and expertise to meet the needs of clients through individual, family, and group therapy, including but not limited to addressing trauma and promoting recovery of children with serious emotional disturbance and/or adults with serious mental illness.
- Knowledge of Housing First principles, trauma-informed care, homeless services systems, and housing resources preferred.
- Valid driver's license and ability to travel throughout the service area required.
- Ability to provide services in community and non-traditional treatment settings.
- Experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness, serious mental illness, substance use disorders, and/or co-occurring disorders preferred.
- Experience providing community-based behavioral health services, outreach, case management, or care coordination preferred.
JOB DUTIES
- Implement and maintain the Behavioral Healthcare program's philosophy, principles, and procedures in all facets of performance related to the assigned treatment program.
- Provide services and conduct oneself in a manner consistent with the professional Code of Conduct of NorthKey Community Care.
- Conduct street outreach, community-based engagement, and therapeutic outreach activities to identify, assess, and engage individuals experiencing homelessness and housing instability.
- Complete behavioral health assessments, diagnostic evaluations, treatment plans, and reassessments promptly and in accordance with organizational standards.
- Provide individual, family, and group therapy; crisis intervention; counseling; psychoeducation; and other clinically appropriate behavioral health services.
- Utilize evidence-based and trauma-informed practices to address mental health, substance use, co-occurring disorders, and barriers to recovery and housing stability.
- Engage clients in a structured, collaborative relationship that promotes recovery, empowerment, self-determination, and self-management of behavioral health conditions.
- Develop person-centered treatment plans based on client-identified needs, diagnoses, strengths, and recovery goals.
- Address trauma and promote recovery for adults with serious mental illness, substance use disorders, and co-occurring conditions.
- Collaborate with shelters, housing providers, healthcare organizations, social service agencies, and other community partners to support client recovery, stability, and housing outcomes.
- Participate in interdisciplinary staffing, care coordination, and case consultation meetings to identify needs, address service gaps, and coordinate appropriate services and referrals.
- Assist clients in accessing benefits, entitlements, healthcare, housing resources, and other community supports necessary to achieve treatment and recovery goals.
- Participate in SOAR-related efforts and collaborate with team members to support eligible clients in applying for SSI/SSDI and other benefits.
- Provide services in office, community, shelter, residential, and other field-based settings as clinically appropriate. Identify and address risks that may contribute to psychiatric hospitalization, emergency department utilization, continued homelessness, or loss of community functioning.
- Complete documentation, treatment records, and billing requirements accurately and within established timeframes.
- Participate in ongoing training and professional development activities related to behavioral health treatment, homelessness, outreach engagement, housing interventions, and care coordination, including traveling to training throughout the state as needed.
- Contribute to a culture of safety and quality by using data to support decision-making, improve services, and ensure positive outcomes.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Adhere responsibly to all NorthKey policies and procedures.
- Adhere to confidentiality in all matters pertaining to client information.
- Maximize efficiency and effective use of time in maintaining accurate and punctual time reporting.
- Attend internal meetings relating to responsibilities and duties.
- Maintain a professional and business-like manner in dealing with all internal staff, Board members, state and governmental staff, sub-contractors, and vendors of NorthKey.
- Represent NorthKey in a professionally appropriate manner
NORTHKEY COMMUNITY CARE - COMPANY OVERVIEW
Since 1966, NorthKey Community Care (NorthKey) has provided quality, evidence-based mental health, substance use, and developmental disabilities services to the Northern Kentucky region with the commitment to providing the right service, at the right time, and in the right place. With multiple convenient locations throughout the Northern Kentucky region (Kenton, Boone, Campbell, Grant, Carroll, Gallatin, Pendleton, and Owen counties), NorthKey offers a wide array of mental health, substance use, and developmental disabilities services unparalleled in the region. Join our team to help us fulfill our mission of Transforming Lives and Communities Through Excellence in Mental Health, Substance Use, and Developmental Disabilities Services!
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See All 35 Behavioral Health Specialist Jobs in Kentucky
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Find JobsBehavioral Health Specialist Jobs by City in Kentucky
Where Kentucky roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Behavioral Health Specialist Job Market in Kentucky
A snapshot from current Kentucky openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Kentucky Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in behavioral health specialist jobs across Kentucky.
- Active Kentucky licensure or eligibility for LCADC, LPCA, or CSAC credential preferred
- Bachelor's or master's degree in psychology, social work, or counseling required
- Experience conducting behavioral health assessments and developing individualized treatment plans
- Familiarity with Kentucky's community mental health center network and Medicaid billing
- Proficiency with electronic health records and documentation of client progress notes
- Valid Kentucky driver's license and ability to conduct community-based or home visits
Behavioral Health Specialist Jobs in Kentucky: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a behavioral health specialist in Kentucky?
Most Kentucky behavioral health specialist roles require at minimum a bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or a related human services field. Candidates pursuing clinical work typically obtain the Licensed Professional Counselor Associate credential through the Kentucky Board of Licensure for Professional Counselors, or pursue the Certified Substance Abuse Counselor credential through the Kentucky Certification Board. State-funded community mental health centers often hire unlicensed candidates who are actively working toward credentialing under supervision.
Which companies hire behavioral health specialists in Kentucky?
Employers hiring behavioral health specialists in Kentucky right now include Humana, Mercy Health, and Lumera Healthcare, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Kentucky's network of Regional Mental Health and Mental Retardation Boards, which includes centers like Seven Counties Services and Comprehend, represents some of the most consistent long-term hiring across the state.
Which Kentucky cities have the most behavioral health specialist jobs?
Paducah, Louisville, and Lexington are the Kentucky cities with the most behavioral health specialist openings. Louisville drives volume through its large hospital systems and community mental health infrastructure, Lexington benefits from the University of Kentucky HealthCare presence and surrounding regional referral network, and Bowling Green has grown steadily as a hub for Southern Kentucky's substance use and crisis services expansion.
Are there remote behavioral health specialist jobs in Kentucky?
Yes, but they're limited. About 20% of behavioral health specialist openings tied to Kentucky are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the fact that much of the work involves in-person client contact, home visits, and community-based care. The roles most likely to offer remote or telehealth flexibility are care coordination, case management, and crisis line counseling positions.
How can I get hired as a behavioral health specialist in Kentucky with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry point is a behavioral health technician or case aide role at one of Kentucky's Regional Mental Health and Mental Retardation Board centers, which regularly hire candidates with a bachelor's degree and no prior clinical experience. Seven Counties Services and Comprehend both run structured onboarding for new graduates. Adjacent roles such as crisis line counselor, peer support specialist, or residential counselor also serve as common stepping stones. Completing the Kentucky Certification Board's Certified Peer Support Specialist credential strengthens any entry-level application considerably.
Where can I find and apply to behavioral health specialist jobs in Kentucky?
You can find and apply to behavioral health specialist jobs in Kentucky on Migrate Mate, which lists current Kentucky openings across community mental health centers, hospital systems, and social services organizations. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly from the listing.
See All 35 Behavioral Health Specialist Jobs in Kentucky
Find roles in Kentucky that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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