Behavioral Health Specialist Jobs in Pennsylvania

Location Wilkes-Barre, PA
Job Category Nursing Support Services, Nursing and Nursing Support
Schedule Evenings
Work Type Full time
Department GCMC Behavioral Health Team
Date posted 05/29/2026
Job ID R-97280

Job Summary

The Behavioral Health Specialist works in collaboration with the patient care team to provide assessment and coordination of care for mental health, behavioral health, and social needs for patients throughout the hospital. This position facilitates communication between patients, families, healthcare professionals, community and state agencies, and other interdisciplinary team members.

Job Duties

• Functions as a member of a professional team which provides evaluation and treatment for psychiatric patients including but not limited to: psychological assessment, crisis intervention, input on treatment decisions, case management, patient advocacy, care coordination, and community outreach
• Contact psychiatric inpatient facilities to obtain placement for the patient, fax all patients records pertaining to this admission for review, obtain pre-authorization from insurance company, arrange transportation to the facility.
• For patients discharged from the ED, completes a crisis safety plan and set-up outpatient follow-up appointments. Completes patient signature of authorization to release medical information to the facility.
• Outreach and coordination to drug and alcohol facilities to obtain admission to inpatient rehab for patients meeting the criteria.
• Obtains information from patients and other appropriate sources upon which treatment recommendations are initiated, records all information in medical record.
• Involves patient, family and others as appropriate in delivery of care and treatment recommendations.
• Works with patient to determine goals to be achieved during course of treatment.
• Makes arrangements for safe and expedient transfer of patients as required.
• Acts as a resource of information, and a referral source, for patients and families, care team members, etc.
• Sets up appointments, arranges for follow-up treatment as indicated.
• Strives to support quality patient care, patient satisfaction and to assist in the accomplishment of related goals.
• Assists with insurance verification and authorization procedures.
• Part of interdisciplinary team that ensures the patients progress in the acute episode of care through post discharge and is quality driven while being efficient and cost effective.
• Interacts with patients, family members, healthcare professionals, and community and state agencies. Serving as a liaison between the hospital and community agencies or facilities for the exchanges of clinical and referral information.
• Identifies high risk patients from a psychosocial/financial perspective, assesses the psychological needs of patients and families, and provides information, support, counseling, care management, and referrals to appropriate resources.
• Resolve psychosocial patient care issues and to develop and implement a complex patient transition/discharge plan.

Work is typically performed in a clinical environment. Accountable for satisfying all job specific obligations and complying with all organization policies and procedures. The specific statements in this profile are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements considered necessary to successfully perform the job. Additional competencies and skills outlined in any department-specific orientation will be considered essential to the performance of the job related to that position.

Position Details

• Full Time, Evenings Position (40 Hours/weekly)
• 3pm - 11:30pm
• Occasional weekend rotation depending on department needs

Work Location & Travel Requirements:

• This position supports operations across multiple sites, with primary focus in the Wilkes-Barre region. Travel to Geisinger Wyoming Valley (GWV) will be required based on staffing needs.
• On select shifts, the team member will provide coverage across both assigned sites.
• On other shifts, coverage will be shared with additional team members at GWV to ensure consistent support.
• Routine travel to Geisinger Community Medical Center (GCMC) is not expected. However, there may be occasional opportunities to assist with remote coverage as needed.
• As part of ongoing system-wide support initiatives, this role also includes assisting with bed placement and coordination across additional campuses.

This posting reflects an opening for a Behavioral Health Specialist I and we are seeking candidates for that position. Geisinger reserves the right to consider applicants for higher levels of this role to include Behavioral Health Specialist II based on their skills, qualifications, and experience. We encourage all qualified individuals to apply.

Education

Bachelor's Degree - Related Field of Study (Required)

Skills

Patients Rights; Communication; Medical Records Management

About Geisinger

Founded more than 100 years ago by Abigail Geisinger, the system now includes ten hospital campuses, a 550,000-member health plan, two research centers and the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. With nearly 24,000 employees and more than 1,700 employed physicians, Geisinger boosts its hometown economies in Pennsylvania by billions of dollars annually. Learn more at geisinger.org or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Our Vision & Values

Everything we do is about making better health easier for our patients, our members, our students, our Geisinger family and our communities.

KINDNESS: We strive to treat everyone as we would hope to be treated ourselves.

EXCELLENCE: We treasure colleagues who humbly strive for excellence.

LEARNING: We share our knowledge with the best and brightest to better prepare the caregivers for tomorrow.

INNOVATION: We constantly seek new and better ways to care for our patients, our members, our community, and the nation.

SAFETY: We provide a safe environment for our patients and members and the Geisinger family.

Our Benefits

We offer healthcare benefits for full time and part time positions from day one, including vision, dental and prescription coverage.