Behavioral Health Therapist - Children's Behavioral Health Center - Inpatient (Fall 2026)

Position Title

Behavioral Health Therapist - Children's Behavioral Health Center - Inpatient (Fall 2026) Department: BHC Support Services

Job Description

• *Behavioral Health Therapist positions are available at levels I, II, or III, depending on experience and education.
• Our NEW Pediatric Behavioral Health Center is scheduled to open in December 2026. Candidates applying for this position should expect a start date after September 1, 2026. All applicants must be 21 years of age or older and provide two professional references as part of the hiring process. The Licensed behavioral health therapist is a behavioral health therapist under direct supervision of an applicable independently licensed individual. This position will provide therapeutic services to adult or pediatric patients at OU Health who need behavioral health services in outpatient, inpatient or in the emergency department while under a valid supervision contract with the applicable Oklahoma State Board. Essential Responsibilities Responsibilities listed in this section are core to the position. Inability to perform these responsibilities with or without an accommodation may result in disqualification from the position. Conducts therapeutic interviews of patients, family members and other people connected to the patient, to gather collateral information. Conducts screenings, psychosocial and diagnostic assessments and communicates findings to necessary staff as appropriate. Provides education to patients, family members and other people connected to the patient regarding mental health diseases, treatments, social or financial situations, emotional stress and/or other mental health/social problems. Develops a collaborative care plan and provides therapeutic interventions to patients, family members and other people connected to the patient, to assist patient in reaching goals and to prevent relapse. Monitors and evaluates patient outcomes related to therapeutic goals in collaborative care plan. Provides behavioral interventions to support patient improvement, maintain stability, and prevent relapse. Develops and facilitates patient support or therapy groups to meet the needs of the clinical location or patient population. Provides psychotherapy counseling and other evidence-based psychotherapy interventions for the patients, family members and other people connected to the patient. Documents counseling services, care coordination, and interactions appropriately to meet the standards of all accrediting, governing bodies, and billing requirements with standardized departmental templates. Conducts risk assessments related to harming self or others, provides brief interventions, crisis counseling, establishes individual patient safety plans. Connects resources to patient, family members and other people connected to the patient, and documents sessions that meet the standards of all accrediting, governing bodies and billing requirements where services are rendered. Acts as a liaison between patients, family members and other people connected to the patient, staff and other agencies. Assists the patients, family members and other people connected to the patient, with referrals, placements, or transfers when clinically indicated. Assists patients, family members and other people connected to the patient, with adverse reactions or difficult adjustments to illness, treatment, or changes in functional status. Utilize trauma informed care. Acts as a patient advocate for issues related to informed decision making, end-of-life care, realistic goal setting and appropriate resolution of ethical dilemmas. Work collaboratively with consultative services and other applicable services as clinically indicated Assists patients with psychotherapy such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy or other evidence-based modalities as trained in and appropriate. Attend regular case consultation, team meetings, and peer review. Follows and meets expectations of departmental standard operating procedures. Participate in weekly individual or group supervision as indicated in standard operating procedures as required for licensure. Complete Third-Party Statement Affidavit statements and seek independently licensed individual if a LMHP is required to be completed. Signs documentation in a timely manner as outlined in standard operating procedures. General Responsibilities Performs other duties as assigned. Level I

Minimum Qualifications

Education Requirements Master's degree from accredited institution in social work, counseling or psychology required. Experience Requirements 0-3 years of experience required. License/Certification/Registration Requirements Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW) with Supervision, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marital and Family Therapist (LMFT) or Board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) certified by Board of Analyst certification Board BACB. (BCBA must also be licensed by the Oklahoma Human Services' (OKDHS) Developmental Disabilities Services Division (DDS) to provide behavior analysis services from applicable Oklahoma state board required.) Active supervision contract with applicable licensing board required. Provisional license is accepted in the first 3 months of employment with Supervision. Knowledge/Skills/Abilities Required: Knowledge of the principles and practices of individual and group psychotherapy, social and psychological casework, of social and welfare resources available in the community and hospital, of current social and economic conditions, trends, and problems. Knowledge of federal and state laws particularly related to patient confidentiality. Knowledge of case management fundamentals and the technical/procedural aspects of case management. Ability to resolve issues, applying judgment, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills to determine a course of action. Ability to exercise discretion when making decisions and seeks management advice to determine proper course of action while following established standards. Ability to handle stressful situations, different situations or circumstances, and complete projects in a timely manner. Ability to explain technical data in a form understandable by patients, families, and hospital staff. Good interpersonal and communication skills. Level II

Minimum Qualifications

Education Requirements Master's degree from accredited institution in social work, counseling or psychology required. Experience Requirements At least 3 years of postgraduate counseling experience in a healthcare setting required. License/Certification/Registration Requirements Licensed Clinical Social Work (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marital and Family Therapist (LMFT), or Board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) certified by Board of Analyst certification Board BACB. (BCBA must also be licensed by the Oklahoma Human Services' (OKDHS) Developmental Disabilities Services Division (DDS) to provide behavior analysis services from applicable Oklahoma state board required.) Must be able to provide clinical supervision per Oklahoma licensing board requirements. Knowledge/Skills/Abilities Required Advanced knowledge of the principles and practices of individual and group psychotherapy, social and psychological casework, of social and welfare resources available in the community and hospital, of current social and economic conditions, trends, and problems. Knowledge of federal and state laws particularly related to patient confidentiality. Knowledge of case management fundamentals and the technical/procedural aspects of case management. Ability to resolve complex issues, applying judgment, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills to determine a course of action. Ability to exercise discretion when making decisions and seeks management advice to determine proper course of action while following established standards. Ability to handle stressful situations, different situations or circumstances, and complete projects in a timely manner. Ability to explain technical data in a form understandable by patients, families, and hospital staff. Good interpersonal and communication skills. Level III

Minimum Qualifications

Education Requirements Master's degree from accredited institution in social work, counseling or psychology required. Experience Requirements 5 or more years of postgraduate counseling experience in a healthcare setting required. License/Certification/Registration Requirements Licensed Clinical Social Work (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marital and Family Therapist (LMFT) or Board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) certified by Board of Analyst certification Board BACB. (BCBA must also be licensed by the Oklahoma Human Services' (OKDHS) Developmental Disabilities Services Division (DDS) to provide behavior analysis services.) Must be able to provide clinical supervision per Oklahoma licensing board requirements. Knowledge/Skills/Abilities Required Expert level knowledge of the principles and practices of individual and group psychotherapy, social and psychological casework, of social and welfare resources available in the community and hospital, of current social and economic conditions, trends, and problems. Knowledge of federal and state laws particularly related to patient confidentiality. Knowledge of case management fundamentals and the technical/procedural aspects of case management. Ability to resolve the most complex issues, applying judgment, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills to determine a course of action. Ability to exercise discretion when making decisions and seeks management advice to determine proper course of action while following established standards. Ability to handle stressful situations, different situations or circumstances, and complete projects in a timely manner. Ability to explain technical data in a form understandable by patients, families, and hospital staff. Ability to provide constructive feedback and facilitate open dialogue. Good interpersonal and communication skills. #CB Current OU Health Employees - Please click HERE to login. OU Health is an equal opportunity employer. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including PTO, 401(k), medical and dental plans, and many more. We know that a total benefits and compensation package, designed to meet your specific needs both inside and outside of the work environment, create peace of mind for you and your family. OU Health is the state’s only comprehensive academic health system of hospitals, clinics and centers of excellence. With 11,000 employees and more than 1,300 physicians and advanced practice providers, OU Health is home to Oklahoma’s largest doctor network with a complete range of specialty care. OU Health serves Oklahoma and the region with the state’s only freestanding children’s hospital, the only National Cancer Institute-Designated OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, Oklahoma’s flagship hospital, which serves as the state’s only Level 1 trauma center and Edmond Medical Center in the heart of the Edmond Community. Becker’s Hospital Review named University of Oklahoma Medical Center one of the 100 Great Hospitals in America for 2020. OU Health’s oncology program at OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center was named Oklahoma’s top facility for cancer care by U.S. News & World Report in its 2020-21 rankings. OU Health also was ranked by U.S. News & World Report as high performing in these specialties: Colon Surgery, COPD and Congestive Heart Failure. OU Health’s mission is to lead healthcare in patient care, education and research. Experts in prevention, treatment and cures, our team works to improve lives through innovation in medical care, education and research, while investing in the people, technologies and facilities that will enable us to achieve our goals. We are seeking individuals who have a passion and talent for caring for others. By joining our team, you will provide quality health care to our community through the work you do every day. We provide clinical and non-clinical opportunities to further your career and we invite you to explore our available positions. Equal employment opportunities are provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or protected veteran status in accordance with applicable federal laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Reasonable accommodations are made to the known physical and mental limitations of qualified individuals with disabilities.