Behavioral Health Specialist Jobs in Maryland
Behavioral Health Specialist jobs in Maryland are among the more active markets on the East Coast, concentrated in community mental health centers, hospital systems, and state-funded behavioral health programs, with openings from entry-level case support to senior clinical roles. Baltimore, the Washington D.C. suburbs including Silver Spring and Rockville, and Annapolis anchor most of the hiring, where employers like University of Maryland Medical System, Sheppard Pratt, and the Maryland Department of Health maintain ongoing demand. Crisis intervention, substance use disorder treatment, and co-occurring disorder support are the most consistently sought specialties. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 59+ Behavioral Health Specialist jobs
New Pay Range: $35.50-$58.00
RN - Brook Lane - Behavioral Health - Full Time - Nightshift
Full Time | 72 hrs biweekly | 7pm - 730am
Up to $30,000 Sign on Bonus!
As an Inpatient Behavioral Health Nurse, you play a vital role in providing compassionate, patient-centered care to individuals experiencing acute mental health crises. You will work in a fast-paced, structured environment within a mental health hospital, collaborating with an interdisciplinary team to support patients through stabilization and recovery. This role requires strong clinical skills, emotional resilience, and a commitment to patient advocacy.
What to Expect in This Role
Daily Responsibilities
- Provide direct nursing care, including medication administration, monitoring for side effects, and assessing changes in patient behavior.
- Conduct patient assessments to evaluate mental, emotional, and physical health needs.
- Work closely with psychiatrists, social workers, and therapists to develop and implement individualized treatment plans.
- Support de-escalation efforts, utilizing therapeutic communication and crisis intervention techniques.
- Educate patients and families about mental health conditions, coping strategies, and discharge planning.
- Document all patient interactions, interventions, and progress in electronic health records.
- Participate in shift hand-offs and team meetings to ensure continuity of care.
Work Environment
- A high-acuity, structured setting, where teamwork is essential to maintaining patient and staff safety.
- Patients may experience severe psychiatric symptoms, including agitation, aggression psychosis, or suicidal ideation.
- Regular use of nonviolent crisis intervention techniques to manage escalations
- Shifts may include days, nights, weekends, and holidays based on patient needs.
- A multidisciplinary team approach, where communication and collaboration are key.
- Security team on staff and rounding on units 24/7.
Challenges You May Face
- Emotional intensity—working with patients in crisis requires strong emotional regulation and self-care.
- Physical demands—assisting patients in distress may require standing, walking, and occasional interventions.
- Complex cases—co-occurring disorders, medication noncompliance, and social barriers can make treatment challenging.
- Safety concerns—while rare, aggressive behavior from patients may occur, requiring quick thinking and adherence to hospital safety protocols.
Why This Role Matters
Your work as an Inpatient Behavioral Health Nurse has a profound impact on patients' lives. You will provide hope, support, and stability during some of their most vulnerable moments. If you are compassionate, resilient, and committed to mental health advocacy, this role offers a rewarding opportunity to make a difference every day.
Minimum Qualifications:
Education - ASN required. BSN Preferred.
Experience - Minimum of one year of experience in a hospital setting required.
Licensure/Certification - “RN license to practice in the state of Maryland”
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities - Ability to apply the standards of professional nursing practice with compassion and empathy. Basic computer skills required. Must posses high level of organization and communication skills.
Caring for Our Team
We are committed to supporting the well-being and professional development of our team members through a comprehensive benefits package, which includes:
- Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
Coverage begins on the first of the month following your hire date. - Life Insurance & Disability Coverage
Includes company-paid life insurance, as well as short- and long-term disability benefits to provide peace of mind. - Paid Time Off (PTO)
A generous PTO program designed to help you recharge and maintain a healthy work-life balance. - 401(k) Retirement Plan
Benefit from a robust company match to support your long-term financial goals. - Education Assistance & Tuition Reimbursement
Support for your continued learning and career growth. - Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
Options to save pre-tax dollars for eligible healthcare and dependent care expenses. - Shift Differential Pay
Happy to Help
At Meritus, we believe in a collaborative and caring work environment. Interactions are an opportunity to learn, listen and to be there for one another. Therefore, we provide warm welcomes, hospitality-driven closures, and are always Happy to Help, and are always Happy to Help.
Licenses & Certifications
Required- Basic Life Support
- Advanced Cardiac Life Sup
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
New Pay Range: $35.50-$58.00
RN - Brook Lane - Behavioral Health - Full Time - Nightshift
Full Time | 72 hrs biweekly | 7pm - 730am
Up to $30,000 Sign on Bonus!
As an Inpatient Behavioral Health Nurse, you play a vital role in providing compassionate, patient-centered care to individuals experiencing acute mental health crises. You will work in a fast-paced, structured environment within a mental health hospital, collaborating with an interdisciplinary team to support patients through stabilization and recovery. This role requires strong clinical skills, emotional resilience, and a commitment to patient advocacy.
What to Expect in This Role
Daily Responsibilities
- Provide direct nursing care, including medication administration, monitoring for side effects, and assessing changes in patient behavior.
- Conduct patient assessments to evaluate mental, emotional, and physical health needs.
- Work closely with psychiatrists, social workers, and therapists to develop and implement individualized treatment plans.
- Support de-escalation efforts, utilizing therapeutic communication and crisis intervention techniques.
- Educate patients and families about mental health conditions, coping strategies, and discharge planning.
- Document all patient interactions, interventions, and progress in electronic health records.
- Participate in shift hand-offs and team meetings to ensure continuity of care.
Work Environment
- A high-acuity, structured setting, where teamwork is essential to maintaining patient and staff safety.
- Patients may experience severe psychiatric symptoms, including agitation, aggression psychosis, or suicidal ideation.
- Regular use of nonviolent crisis intervention techniques to manage escalations
- Shifts may include days, nights, weekends, and holidays based on patient needs.
- A multidisciplinary team approach, where communication and collaboration are key.
- Security team on staff and rounding on units 24/7.
Challenges You May Face
- Emotional intensity—working with patients in crisis requires strong emotional regulation and self-care.
- Physical demands—assisting patients in distress may require standing, walking, and occasional interventions.
- Complex cases—co-occurring disorders, medication noncompliance, and social barriers can make treatment challenging.
- Safety concerns—while rare, aggressive behavior from patients may occur, requiring quick thinking and adherence to hospital safety protocols.
Why This Role Matters
Your work as an Inpatient Behavioral Health Nurse has a profound impact on patients' lives. You will provide hope, support, and stability during some of their most vulnerable moments. If you are compassionate, resilient, and committed to mental health advocacy, this role offers a rewarding opportunity to make a difference every day.
Minimum Qualifications:
Education - ASN required. BSN Preferred.
Experience - Minimum of one year of experience in a hospital setting required.
Licensure/Certification - “RN license to practice in the state of Maryland”
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities - Ability to apply the standards of professional nursing practice with compassion and empathy. Basic computer skills required. Must posses high level of organization and communication skills.
Caring for Our Team
We are committed to supporting the well-being and professional development of our team members through a comprehensive benefits package, which includes:
- Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
Coverage begins on the first of the month following your hire date. - Life Insurance & Disability Coverage
Includes company-paid life insurance, as well as short- and long-term disability benefits to provide peace of mind. - Paid Time Off (PTO)
A generous PTO program designed to help you recharge and maintain a healthy work-life balance. - 401(k) Retirement Plan
Benefit from a robust company match to support your long-term financial goals. - Education Assistance & Tuition Reimbursement
Support for your continued learning and career growth. - Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
Options to save pre-tax dollars for eligible healthcare and dependent care expenses. - Shift Differential Pay
Happy to Help
At Meritus, we believe in a collaborative and caring work environment. Interactions are an opportunity to learn, listen and to be there for one another. Therefore, we provide warm welcomes, hospitality-driven closures, and are always Happy to Help, and are always Happy to Help.
Licenses & Certifications
Required- Basic Life Support
- Advanced Cardiac Life Sup
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
See All 59 Behavioral Health Specialist Jobs in Maryland
Find roles in Maryland that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsBehavioral Health Specialist Jobs by City in Maryland
Where Maryland roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Behavioral Health Specialist Job Market in Maryland
A snapshot from current Maryland openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Adventist HealthCare11
- Meritus Health4
- Pyramid Healthcare4
- Transformations Care Network4
- University of Maryland Medical System4
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Maryland Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in behavioral health specialist jobs across Maryland.
- Active Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists licensure or license-eligible status
- Bachelor's or master's degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or a related behavioral health field
- Experience delivering individual and group therapy or behavioral health case management services
- Knowledge of trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, and evidence-based treatment models
- Ability to complete clinical documentation accurately within electronic health record systems
- Valid driver's license for community-based outreach and mobile crisis response assignments
Behavioral Health Specialist Jobs in Maryland: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a behavioral health specialist in Maryland?
Most Maryland positions require at minimum a bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or a closely related field, with clinical roles requiring a master's degree. Counselors pursuing licensure apply through the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists and must complete supervised clinical hours before sitting for the licensing exam. Social workers follow a parallel path through the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners. Many employers also value certification in specific modalities such as substance use treatment or crisis intervention alongside formal licensure.
Which companies hire behavioral health specialists in Maryland?
Employers hiring behavioral health specialists in Maryland right now include Adventist HealthCare, Meritus Health, and Pyramid Healthcare, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Maryland's dense network of community mental health centers, hospital-based outpatient programs, and state-contracted behavioral health organizations keeps demand steady across the year.
Which Maryland cities have the most behavioral health specialist jobs?
The cities with the most behavioral health specialist openings in Maryland are Rockville, Baltimore, and Hagerstown. Baltimore drives volume through its large hospital systems and community mental health infrastructure, while the Montgomery and Prince George's County suburbs generate significant demand from county health departments and federally qualified health centers serving the greater Washington D.C. corridor.
Are there remote behavioral health specialist jobs in Maryland?
Yes, but they're limited, since much of behavioral health work involves direct client contact in community or clinical settings. About 0% of behavioral health specialist openings tied to Maryland are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the field's hands-on nature. Telehealth counseling and care coordination roles represent the portion of the work most commonly performed remotely.
How can I get hired as a behavioral health specialist in Maryland with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for behavioral health technician, mental health associate, or crisis support specialist roles, which Maryland employers routinely fill with candidates who hold a relevant bachelor's degree but no licensure yet. Sheppard Pratt and University of Maryland Medical System both run structured new-graduate and trainee programs within their behavioral health divisions. Lateral moves from case management, residential counseling, or peer support specialist positions are common ways candidates build the supervised hours needed for future licensure, and completing a certified peer recovery specialist credential through Maryland's certification process gives early-career applicants a measurable edge.
Where can I find and apply to behavioral health specialist jobs in Maryland?
You can find and apply to behavioral health specialist jobs in Maryland on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from Maryland employers. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience level and location, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 59 Behavioral Health Specialist Jobs in Maryland
Find roles in Maryland that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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