Behavioral Health Specialist Supervisor – ATS
- Location: Roxbury, MA (Fully Onsite)
- Status: Full Time
- Schedule: Variable schedule; days, evenings and weekends required
- Salary: $26 - $28/hr
You are a caring, dependable behavioral health professional who thrives in a fast-paced team environment and is committed to excellence in patient care. You bring strong communication and leadership skills, are comfortable supporting individuals with substance use disorders, and can provide calm, respectful direction in a 24-hour clinical setting.
The Dimock Center is a federally qualified community health center that heals and uplifts individuals, families and communities. Our vision is to redefine the model of a healthy community by creating equitable access to comprehensive health care and education. We promote a culture of respect, excellence, equal opportunity, and commitment to our employees and the communities we serve.
Our Behavioral Health Services programs provide residential and outpatient treatment for individuals struggling with mental illness, developmental disabilities, and substance use disorders. For many individuals, our programs provide a critical step toward safety, stability, and long-term recovery.
Acute Treatment Services (ATS) is a 39-bed medically monitored detoxification program serving individuals with alcohol and opioid use disorders. Located on the Dimock campus, ATS provides a safe, structured environment where patients can receive withdrawal management, clinical support, and connections to ongoing treatment and recovery services.
The Behavioral Health Specialist Supervisor is a key member of the interdisciplinary team responsible for supporting patient safety, program structure, and the daily operations of ATS. The Supervisor provides leadership and support to Behavioral Health Specialists and works closely with Nursing, clinicians, case managers, and other members of the care team to ensure patients receive compassionate, respectful, and recovery-focused care throughout the detoxification process.
Essential Functions
- Relates to patients and colleagues in a compassionate, professional, and respectful manner.
- Assures the safety and support of all patients admitted to ATS.
- Assesses patient needs, communicates effectively, and maintains appropriate therapeutic boundaries through respectful limit-setting and enforcement of program structure and expectations.
- Supports Behavioral Health Specialists and other milieu staff in all aspects of program operations, including safety checks, patient and room searches, and admission and discharge processes.
- Participates in the patient admission process, including explaining Dimock paperwork and completing required intake documentation.
- Conducts property searches of patient belongings upon admission and discharge.
- Observes patients for changes in condition, including signs of illness, agitation, depression, or other concerns, and promptly communicates observations to Nursing staff.
- Uses effective communication, negotiation, and de-escalation skills to minimize and manage potentially dangerous or disruptive situations.
- Supervises, supports, and provides direction to Behavioral Health Specialist staff throughout the program.
- Organizes and maintains the Behavioral Health Specialist schedule and assists with coverage of open shifts.
- Supports the overall operation and management of the ATS milieu.
- Ensures the patient living environment is safe, clean, organized, and conducive to healing and recovery.
- Manages program inventory, supplies, stock, and deliveries.
- Establishes and maintains appropriate professional boundaries with patients to promote safety and therapeutic relationships.
- Supports day-to-day program operations, including ensuring patients receive meals and assistance with identified needs.
- Participates in staff meetings, trainings, and other required program activities.
- Ensures Behavioral Health Specialist staff follow The Dimock Center's policies, procedures, and program expectations.
- Works collaboratively with Nursing, Case Management, providers, clinicians, and other disciplines to support patient care and safety.
- Works with program leadership and staff to develop and support new programming and initiatives.
- Maintains confidentiality and protects patient information at all times.
- Other duties as assigned.
Competencies
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Demonstrates sound judgment and the ability to remain calm and professional in stressful situations.
- Strong leadership, organization, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to effectively communicate with and support staff across disciplines.
- Ability to establish and maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
- Demonstrates cultural sensitivity and respect for individual differences.
- Maintains a high standard of confidentiality and professionalism.
- Demonstrates accountability, initiative, and commitment to continuous improvement.
- Ability to effectively de-escalate difficult or potentially unsafe situations.
Work Environment
This position operates in a 24-hour Acute Treatment Services setting and requires regular interaction with patients and multidisciplinary staff.
Physical Demands
This position requires frequent standing and walking and may require lifting and carrying up to 20 pounds.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time position with a variable schedule. Days, evenings, weekends, and holidays may be required based on program needs.
Required Education and Experience
- Bachelor's degree in a related field preferred.
- Experience working with individuals with substance use disorders or in a behavioral health, residential, healthcare, or similar setting preferred.
- Previous supervisory or lead experience preferred.
- Experience working in a fast-paced, patient-facing environment preferred.
Other Duties
Note this job description is not designed to cover a comprehensive listing of duties that are required of the employee. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.
EEO Statement
The Dimock Center values diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of age, color, disability, ethnicity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other status protected by law.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in a related field
- Experience working with individuals with substance use disorders or in a behavioral health, residential, healthcare, or similar setting
- Previous supervisory or lead experience
- Experience working in a fast-paced, patient-facing environment
What We Do
The Dimock Center is an urban health center in Boston that provides comprehensive, high-quality, low-cost health care, behavioral health and addiction services, early education, and wraparound support. Founded in 1862 as the New England Hospital for Women and Children, the center serves as a national model for delivering integrated health and human services to diverse populations in an urban community.






