University of California Santa Cruz
Psychotherapist, Behavioral Health Specialist
University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, us, 95061
Overview
Behavioral Health Specialist position at UC Santa Cruz. This is an 11 month position with a 4 week summer work break. Location: Santa Cruz. Full Time. JOB SUMMARY
Under the direct supervision of the Associate Director for Integrative Behavioral Health, the Behavioral Health Specialist (BHS) provides direct behavioral health assessment, intervention, and case management within a fast-paced Primary Care clinic to optimize whole-person health and wellness that supports the academic success of a diverse student population. The BHS works with students who present to the medical clinic and collaborates with primary care providers, clinic nurses, medical assistants, and staff from related units to provide counseling, diagnosis, psycho-education, and case management. The role includes education and training for staff on behavioral health topics and requires sensitivity to gender, culture, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disabilities, and other identities. All activities follow professional ethical standards and applicable California law. The position requires specialization in counseling and assessment within integrated health services (collaborative care, behavioral health, or behavioral medicine).
JOB DUTIES
80% - Direct Service Performs assessment, diagnosis, behavioral interventions, motivational interviewing, brief psychotherapy, and case management for a wide range of diagnoses and concerns. Performs assessment and consultation to the medical team on bio/psycho/social factors related to diagnosis and treatment. Collaborates with PCPs, clinic nurses, MAs, CAPS, Psychiatry, and other units to provide culturally competent care for a diverse student population. Works directly with PCPs including consultations, treatment planning, co-treatment, and clinical team participation. Ensures sound and valid recommendations and referrals; seeks supervisor consultation for unusual or complex cases. Available for consultation during clinic hours; provides feedback to referring clinical providers. Provides behavioral health lifestyle interventions related to specific disease states. Provides triage, crisis assessment, crisis intervention, brief therapy, case management, and referrals to community and campus services. Provides group therapy and determines need for other interventions; refers as necessary. Consults with students, family, faculty, and staff on issues affecting development and psychological well-being. 20% - Consultation and Outreach Provides consultation to SHS staff, campus administrators, and faculty to enhance functioning of students with psychological difficulties. Serves as a resource and provides educational and consultative services to primary care. Participates in on-campus and community groups to improve integrated behavioral health efforts. Contributes to program development with interdisciplinary healthcare team members. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Master’s Degree in a related field. Valid California licensure, in good standing, as a Social Worker or Marriage and Family Therapist. Knowledge and experience with psychological diagnoses, brief interventions, and case management for young adults. Ability to provide diagnoses, brief interventions, and case management in a fast-paced environment with interruptions. Demonstrated multicultural competence in mental health service provision and knowledge of how race, identity, gender, sexuality, disability, and multiculturalism relate to university mental health services. Broad skills in multicultural counseling and experience serving underserved communities. Proficiency in motivational interviewing, harm reduction, crisis intervention, and crisis management. Ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary team and develop liaison relationships with diverse faculty, staff, providers, and students. Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills; collaborative approach. Flexibility to accommodate client needs and varied clinical schedules. Thorough knowledge of applicable laws and professional conduct standards. Experience with electronic medical records; must be computer literate. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience providing behavioral health interventions in a medical or integrated setting. Counseling experience in a college/university setting. Understanding of a university environment and typical developmental issues of college students. SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Valid California licensure in Social Work or Marriage and Family Therapy (in good standing). CPR/First Aid/AED certification or ability to obtain within 60 calendar days of hire. Pre-hire background checks, credentialing checks, and disclosure of misconduct may be required. TB test within 60 days of hire; HIPAA training within 30 days of hire. Primarily on-campus work with possible remote work based on operational needs; telecommuting agreement may apply. Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as directed. Compliance with Student Health Center health safety requirements; training as directed. Complete mandated UC compliance training and vaccination policy requirements. CANRA mandated reporter; sign acknowledgment prior to employment. JOB DETAILS
Budgeted Salary:
8,106.12 – 10,487.95 monthly for 11 months; salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. Benefits: Full benefits eligible. Schedule:
Full-time, 100% (40 hours/week), Mon-Fri, Day shift. End Date:
None. Work Location:
UC Santa Cruz Main Campus. Union Representation:
Residual Health Care Professionals (HX). Job Code:
BEH HEALTH COUNSELOR 3 HX (004459). Travel:
Never or Rarely. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
HOW TO APPLY To be considered, applicants should attach a resume and cover letter when applying. For guidance on the application process or help applying, review the Applicant Resources on our website (How to Apply, Troubleshooting, Tips for Applicants, FAQs). IRD (Initial Review Date): UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. Materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed for consideration. The IRD for this job is:
10-14-2025 . ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ
UC Santa Cruz is a public university with a distinctive blend of liberal arts and research strengths, known for a diverse and inclusive campus. DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW
Student Health Services provides clinical, educational, and psychological support to UCSC students, including Primary Care, CAPS, SHOP, CARE, and other services. SHS emphasizes affordable, integrated care and cultural competence. EEO/AA
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories. UC policies on nondiscrimination apply.
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Behavioral Health Specialist position at UC Santa Cruz. This is an 11 month position with a 4 week summer work break. Location: Santa Cruz. Full Time. JOB SUMMARY
Under the direct supervision of the Associate Director for Integrative Behavioral Health, the Behavioral Health Specialist (BHS) provides direct behavioral health assessment, intervention, and case management within a fast-paced Primary Care clinic to optimize whole-person health and wellness that supports the academic success of a diverse student population. The BHS works with students who present to the medical clinic and collaborates with primary care providers, clinic nurses, medical assistants, and staff from related units to provide counseling, diagnosis, psycho-education, and case management. The role includes education and training for staff on behavioral health topics and requires sensitivity to gender, culture, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disabilities, and other identities. All activities follow professional ethical standards and applicable California law. The position requires specialization in counseling and assessment within integrated health services (collaborative care, behavioral health, or behavioral medicine).
JOB DUTIES
80% - Direct Service Performs assessment, diagnosis, behavioral interventions, motivational interviewing, brief psychotherapy, and case management for a wide range of diagnoses and concerns. Performs assessment and consultation to the medical team on bio/psycho/social factors related to diagnosis and treatment. Collaborates with PCPs, clinic nurses, MAs, CAPS, Psychiatry, and other units to provide culturally competent care for a diverse student population. Works directly with PCPs including consultations, treatment planning, co-treatment, and clinical team participation. Ensures sound and valid recommendations and referrals; seeks supervisor consultation for unusual or complex cases. Available for consultation during clinic hours; provides feedback to referring clinical providers. Provides behavioral health lifestyle interventions related to specific disease states. Provides triage, crisis assessment, crisis intervention, brief therapy, case management, and referrals to community and campus services. Provides group therapy and determines need for other interventions; refers as necessary. Consults with students, family, faculty, and staff on issues affecting development and psychological well-being. 20% - Consultation and Outreach Provides consultation to SHS staff, campus administrators, and faculty to enhance functioning of students with psychological difficulties. Serves as a resource and provides educational and consultative services to primary care. Participates in on-campus and community groups to improve integrated behavioral health efforts. Contributes to program development with interdisciplinary healthcare team members. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Master’s Degree in a related field. Valid California licensure, in good standing, as a Social Worker or Marriage and Family Therapist. Knowledge and experience with psychological diagnoses, brief interventions, and case management for young adults. Ability to provide diagnoses, brief interventions, and case management in a fast-paced environment with interruptions. Demonstrated multicultural competence in mental health service provision and knowledge of how race, identity, gender, sexuality, disability, and multiculturalism relate to university mental health services. Broad skills in multicultural counseling and experience serving underserved communities. Proficiency in motivational interviewing, harm reduction, crisis intervention, and crisis management. Ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary team and develop liaison relationships with diverse faculty, staff, providers, and students. Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills; collaborative approach. Flexibility to accommodate client needs and varied clinical schedules. Thorough knowledge of applicable laws and professional conduct standards. Experience with electronic medical records; must be computer literate. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience providing behavioral health interventions in a medical or integrated setting. Counseling experience in a college/university setting. Understanding of a university environment and typical developmental issues of college students. SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Valid California licensure in Social Work or Marriage and Family Therapy (in good standing). CPR/First Aid/AED certification or ability to obtain within 60 calendar days of hire. Pre-hire background checks, credentialing checks, and disclosure of misconduct may be required. TB test within 60 days of hire; HIPAA training within 30 days of hire. Primarily on-campus work with possible remote work based on operational needs; telecommuting agreement may apply. Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as directed. Compliance with Student Health Center health safety requirements; training as directed. Complete mandated UC compliance training and vaccination policy requirements. CANRA mandated reporter; sign acknowledgment prior to employment. JOB DETAILS
Budgeted Salary:
8,106.12 – 10,487.95 monthly for 11 months; salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. Benefits: Full benefits eligible. Schedule:
Full-time, 100% (40 hours/week), Mon-Fri, Day shift. End Date:
None. Work Location:
UC Santa Cruz Main Campus. Union Representation:
Residual Health Care Professionals (HX). Job Code:
BEH HEALTH COUNSELOR 3 HX (004459). Travel:
Never or Rarely. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
HOW TO APPLY To be considered, applicants should attach a resume and cover letter when applying. For guidance on the application process or help applying, review the Applicant Resources on our website (How to Apply, Troubleshooting, Tips for Applicants, FAQs). IRD (Initial Review Date): UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. Materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed for consideration. The IRD for this job is:
10-14-2025 . ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ
UC Santa Cruz is a public university with a distinctive blend of liberal arts and research strengths, known for a diverse and inclusive campus. DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW
Student Health Services provides clinical, educational, and psychological support to UCSC students, including Primary Care, CAPS, SHOP, CARE, and other services. SHS emphasizes affordable, integrated care and cultural competence. EEO/AA
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories. UC policies on nondiscrimination apply.
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