Behavioral Health Clinician

Location: Salem Hospital, 890 Oak Street SE, Salem, Oregon 97301

Department: Psychiatric Patient Care

Position Type: Unscheduled, Per diem, Non-Exempt

Schedule: Schedules will vary based on departmental needs

Your role with us

The behavioral health clinician serves as a critical member of the Emergency Department team, providing comprehensive behavioral health assessments, crisis intervention, suicide and violence risk evaluations, safety planning and diagnostic formulation to support timely clinical decision-making. Leveraging advanced mental health assessment, therapy and care coordination skills, the clinician collaborates with providers, patients, families, and community partners to ensure appropriate levels of care, facilitate access to behavioral health resources and support safe, patient-centered discharge or admission planning. In a fast-paced, high-acuity environment, the clinician delivers compassionate advocacy, mandatory reporting, interdisciplinary consultation and culturally responsive care across the lifespan.

What you'll do

• Conduct comprehensive behavioral health assessments in the Emergency Department, including mental status examinations, suicide and homicide risk evaluations, substance use assessments, psychosocial history and DSM diagnostic formulation.
• Provide crisis intervention, safety planning, emotional support, and stabilization services for patients and families experiencing acute behavioral health emergencies.
• Evaluate patients for appropriate levels of care, including voluntary and involuntary psychiatric hospitalization, and coordinate referrals to inpatient, outpatient and community-based treatment resources.
• Collaborate closely with physicians, nurses, community agencies, and interdisciplinary team members to support clinical decision-making and ensure safe patient disposition.
• Utilize advanced clinical interviewing, assessment, and therapeutic intervention skills to work effectively with individuals experiencing severe and persistent mental illness, substance use disorders and behavioral health crises.
• Ensure compliance with Oregon and federal regulations through mandatory reporting, thorough documentation, and adherence to behavioral health and patient safety standards.
• Thrive in a fast-paced, high-acuity environment by demonstrating strong communication, critical thinking, cultural responsiveness, time management, and the ability to prioritize multiple urgent patient needs simultaneously.

Required qualifications

• Master's Degree in psychology, counseling, education, social work or marriage and family therapy or related Master's degree that meets state requirements for pursuit of licensure.

Additional information

• Six months to a year of adult assessment experience is preferred.
• Crisis assessment experience is strongly preferred.
• An active Oregon license in behavioral health is preferred.
• Registered intern with behavioral health board is preferred.

Why Salem Health?

Salem Health is a Top Workplace in Oregon, known for fostering a supportive culture where your contributions truly matter. As an award-winning, independent health care system, we serve our region through Salem Hospital, multiple community clinics and West Valley Hospital, ensuring broad access to high-quality care.

We believe in empowering our teams. Through Lean principles, staff help drive innovation and solve real problems. We also invest in your growth with professional development, tuition assistance, and clear career pathways. At Salem Health, you’ll find more than a job, you’ll find purpose, connection, and room to thrive.

Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status or condition protected by law.

Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for applicants. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact my.recruiter@salemhealth.org.