Behavioral Health Specialist Jobs in Michigan
Behavioral Health Specialist jobs in Michigan are consistently active, with strong demand concentrated in community mental health centers, hospital systems, and substance use treatment programs serving populations from entry-level support roles through licensed senior clinicians. Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Lansing anchor most of the hiring, where established employers like Henry Ford Health, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, and Hegira Health maintain large behavioral health workforces. Case management, crisis intervention, and co-occurring disorder treatment are the most in-demand specialties across the state. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 110+ Behavioral Health Specialist jobs
At Henry Ford Health, we're committed to advancing health and improving lives for the millions of people we serve across Michigan and around the world. As one of the nation's leading academic health systems, we provide a comprehensive continuum of care that includes primary and preventive services, specialty and complex care, virtual care, pharmacy, home health, eye care, health insurance, and more. With 12 hospitals and hundreds of ambulatory care locations, including former Ascension Southeast Michigan and Flint Region facilities, our growing network expands access to exceptional care in the communities we serve.
Headquartered in Detroit, Henry Ford Health is helping shape the future of healthcare through the transformative Future of Health: Detroit initiative, a $3 billion investment that is redefining our academic healthcare campus and advancing innovation, research, education, and community impact.
Our work is grounded in purpose, collaboration, and belonging. We empower team members to grow their careers, contribute innovative ideas, and make a meaningful difference every day. Whether you're caring for patients, supporting operations, conducting research, or driving new solutions, you'll be part of a team united by a shared mission: delivering exceptional care, advancing health outcomes, and building healthier communities for all.
Job Description
Make a real difference in patients' lives by providing compassionate, recovery-oriented behavioral health nursing care. You'll be at the heart of our interdisciplinary team, using advanced therapeutic communication and evidence-based nursing practices to deliver individualized care that transforms mental health outcomes. Bring your expertise in crisis intervention, de-escalation, and trauma-informed care to create safe, healing environments where patients and families feel heard, supported, and empowered on their recovery journey.
Key Responsibilities:
- Conduct thorough psychiatric and behavioral assessments that uncover patient needs, identify risk factors, and recognize individual strengths and resilience
- Partner with patients, families, and the care team to develop personalized, recovery-focused nursing care plans that inspire hope and progress
- Master therapeutic nursing interventions—from skillful de-escalation and crisis intervention to comprehensive suicide risk assessment and management
- Champion trauma-informed care principles in every patient interaction, creating a foundation of trust and safety
- Build meaningful therapeutic relationships through authentic communication that engages patients and accelerates their recovery
- Empower patients and families with education about mental health conditions, practical coping strategies, medication management, and community resources
- Collaborate seamlessly with psychiatrists, social workers, counselors, and behavioral health specialists to deliver coordinated, holistic care
- Track and document patient progress with precision, capturing behavioral changes and movement toward recovery milestones
- Champion patient rights and dignity while ensuring equitable access to quality behavioral health services
- Maintain a safe, therapeutic environment and respond with confidence and compassion to behavioral health emergencies
Qualifications
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred
- Graduation from an accredited school of nursing
- Demonstrated clinical knowledge and analytical capabilities required to develop evidence-based nursing care plans
- Proficiency in delivering comprehensive professional nursing services across diverse patient populations
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, and interdisciplinary healthcare personnel
CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSURES REQUIRED:
- Current, valid licensure from the Michigan State Board of Nursing
- Current Health Care Provider BLS - Basic Life Support
At Henry Ford Health, we're committed to advancing health and improving lives for the millions of people we serve across Michigan and around the world. As one of the nation's leading academic health systems, we provide a comprehensive continuum of care that includes primary and preventive services, specialty and complex care, virtual care, pharmacy, home health, eye care, health insurance, and more. With 12 hospitals and hundreds of ambulatory care locations, including former Ascension Southeast Michigan and Flint Region facilities, our growing network expands access to exceptional care in the communities we serve.
Headquartered in Detroit, Henry Ford Health is helping shape the future of healthcare through the transformative Future of Health: Detroit initiative, a $3 billion investment that is redefining our academic healthcare campus and advancing innovation, research, education, and community impact.
Our work is grounded in purpose, collaboration, and belonging. We empower team members to grow their careers, contribute innovative ideas, and make a meaningful difference every day. Whether you're caring for patients, supporting operations, conducting research, or driving new solutions, you'll be part of a team united by a shared mission: delivering exceptional care, advancing health outcomes, and building healthier communities for all.
Job Description
Make a real difference in patients' lives by providing compassionate, recovery-oriented behavioral health nursing care. You'll be at the heart of our interdisciplinary team, using advanced therapeutic communication and evidence-based nursing practices to deliver individualized care that transforms mental health outcomes. Bring your expertise in crisis intervention, de-escalation, and trauma-informed care to create safe, healing environments where patients and families feel heard, supported, and empowered on their recovery journey.
Key Responsibilities:
- Conduct thorough psychiatric and behavioral assessments that uncover patient needs, identify risk factors, and recognize individual strengths and resilience
- Partner with patients, families, and the care team to develop personalized, recovery-focused nursing care plans that inspire hope and progress
- Master therapeutic nursing interventions—from skillful de-escalation and crisis intervention to comprehensive suicide risk assessment and management
- Champion trauma-informed care principles in every patient interaction, creating a foundation of trust and safety
- Build meaningful therapeutic relationships through authentic communication that engages patients and accelerates their recovery
- Empower patients and families with education about mental health conditions, practical coping strategies, medication management, and community resources
- Collaborate seamlessly with psychiatrists, social workers, counselors, and behavioral health specialists to deliver coordinated, holistic care
- Track and document patient progress with precision, capturing behavioral changes and movement toward recovery milestones
- Champion patient rights and dignity while ensuring equitable access to quality behavioral health services
- Maintain a safe, therapeutic environment and respond with confidence and compassion to behavioral health emergencies
Qualifications
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred
- Graduation from an accredited school of nursing
- Demonstrated clinical knowledge and analytical capabilities required to develop evidence-based nursing care plans
- Proficiency in delivering comprehensive professional nursing services across diverse patient populations
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, and interdisciplinary healthcare personnel
CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSURES REQUIRED:
- Current, valid licensure from the Michigan State Board of Nursing
- Current Health Care Provider BLS - Basic Life Support
See All 110+ Behavioral Health Specialist Jobs in Michigan
Find roles in Michigan that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsBehavioral Health Specialist Jobs by City in Michigan
Where Michigan roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Behavioral Health Specialist Job Market in Michigan
A snapshot from current Michigan openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Henry Ford Health13
- Trinity Health7
- Family Health Care7
- McLaren Health Care7
- Munson Healthcare6
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Michigan Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in behavioral health specialist jobs across Michigan.
- Active Michigan licensure or registration as a Certified Behavioral Health Professional or equivalent credential
- Bachelor's or master's degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or a related behavioral health field
- Experience conducting mental health assessments, treatment planning, and individual or group therapy sessions
- Familiarity with Michigan's Medicaid behavioral health system and community mental health services structure
- Proficiency with electronic health record systems and clinical documentation standards
- Valid Michigan driver's license for community-based or mobile crisis outreach positions
Behavioral Health Specialist Jobs in Michigan: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a behavioral health specialist in Michigan?
Most Michigan employers require at minimum a bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, or counseling, with a master's degree preferred for licensed clinical roles. The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs oversees licensure for social workers and professional counselors, which requires completing an accredited program, supervised hours, and passing a board exam. Entry-level positions often hire under supervision while candidates complete hours toward full licensure.
Which companies hire behavioral health specialists in Michigan?
Employers hiring behavioral health specialists in Michigan right now include Henry Ford Health, Trinity Health, and Family Health Care, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Michigan's extensive network of Community Mental Health Services Programs, operated county by county, is also a consistent source of full-time behavioral health specialist openings across the state.
Which Michigan cities have the most behavioral health specialist jobs?
Grand Rapids, Jackson, and Ann Arbor have the most behavioral health specialist openings in Michigan. Detroit leads due to the concentration of large health systems like Henry Ford Health and Detroit Medical Center, while Grand Rapids benefits from Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services and a growing network of outpatient providers, and Lansing openings are driven by state government-affiliated programs and mid-Michigan community mental health authorities.
Are there remote behavioral health specialist jobs in Michigan?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely desk-based fields because much of the work involves in-person assessment, crisis response, and direct client contact. About 38% of behavioral health specialist openings tied to Michigan are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, with telehealth counseling and care coordination roles being the sub-areas most likely to offer remote options.
How can I get hired as a behavioral health specialist in Michigan with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for a behavioral health technician or community support specialist role, which Michigan community mental health agencies hire for without requiring licensure. Large employers like Henry Ford Behavioral Health and county-run CMH programs regularly bring on candidates with a relevant bachelor's degree and pair them with supervision toward state licensure. Completing a field placement or internship at a Michigan CMH agency, and obtaining a Certified Peer Support Specialist credential through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, gives candidates without direct clinical experience a meaningful edge.
Where can I find and apply to behavioral health specialist jobs in Michigan?
You can find and apply to behavioral health specialist jobs in Michigan on Migrate Mate, which lists current Michigan openings across health systems, community mental health agencies, and outpatient providers. Find roles that fit your experience and credentials and apply directly to the employer.
See All 110+ Behavioral Health Specialist Jobs in Michigan
Find roles in Michigan that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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