I have never hired a BHSS, what can a BHSS do?
A BHSS can deliver brief psychosocial interventions for common behavioral health conditions. Brief refers to the approach to treatment of using cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety (CBT-A), solution focused interventions, behavioral activation, and Motivational Interviewing. A BHSS may meet patients over longer periods of time if the whole health plan is regularly reviewed with a supervisor, and treatment is adjusted to match the intensity and duration of symptoms. A BHSS may also contribute information to an assessment but does not independently diagnose mental and behavioral health conditions. A BHSS is trained to use universal screening measures, interpret scores, share results, and create a whole health care plan with a patient or client. See the job description example for more information.
How is a BHSS different from a Behavior Technician?
A BHSS is a person with a bachelor’s degree and specific training related to the BHSS competency framework, including the delivery of psychosocial interventions. A BHSS is a provider type working under supervision. In Washington State, a certified behavior technician is an important contributor to the applied behavioral analysis team and completes 40 hours of training after high school. A behavioral health technician completes a registered apprenticeship, including 250 classroom hours and a 2000–hour apprenticeship, after completing high school or obtaining a GRE. The behavioral health technician is eligible for the nursing assistant certification.
Can a master’s-level substance use disorder professional (SUDP), unlicensed MSW, or another bachelor’s-level provider supervise a BHSS practicum student?
The list of approved roles for a BHSS supervisor is available on the DOH website. While there may be additions in the future, currently only a licensed master’s– or higher-level provider can supervise a BHSS. An SUDP does not have mental health within their scope of practice; therefore, SUDP-certified individuals, even if they hold a master’s degree, cannot supervise a BHSS. Unlicensed but experienced persons with master’s, bachelor’s, and/or associate’s degrees may, in collaboration with the licensed BHSS supervisor, help orient and mentor a BHSS to the work environment. It may also be possible for someone with an MSW to register for a clinical or advanced social work associate license with the Department of Health. This would then qualify the MSW-holder as a BHSS supervisor, so long as another licensed provider supervises the associate.
What is the salary range for a BHSS?
The salary for a BHSS should be between that of a case manager, medical assistant, and/or health coach at the bachelor’s level and an associate licensed mental health professional at the master’s level. Because there is broad variability in salaries based on location, organization, and funding sources, we recommend examining job postings for the spectrum of roles mentioned above and finding a reasonable average that your organization could offer.
How do we manage billing for BHSS services?
The Health Care Authority (HCA) includes the BHSS as a provider for numerous services in both licensed behavioral health settings and other settings, such as integrated care. A BHSS may also work as a care manager in Collaborative Care and so bill the Collaborative Care codes. For a list of Medicaid billing codes, review the guidance from HCA. Contact HCA with any questions for your clinic or practice.
Where can a BHSS work?
Congratulations on your certification as a Washington State BHSS! A BHSS can work in any setting where mental and behavioral health services are provided with appropriate supervision. As you search for a job, you may look at positions available in licensed behavioral health agencies, integrated primary care settings, hospital settings, human services, college counseling centers, school-based mental health services, and other team-based care settings.
What age groups does a BHSS serve?
The BHSS certification permits a BHSS to work across the lifespan as long as the BHSS’s supervisor can attest to expertise with the population being served. As with graduate–level professions, a BHSS works with populations within a specific scope of competency. Most education programs prepare students to work with adults, and some include adolescent and young adult curriculum. If the education program did not teach content related to child and adolescent care, and if working with youth is a requirement of the position, it is the responsibility of the BHSS and the BHSS’s supervisor to ensure that the BHSS obtains appropriate post-baccalaureate training.
How do I locate a practicum site and supervisor in my geographic area?
For students enrolled in an approved BHSS program, the first step is to follow the education program’s guidance for practicum/internship. Practicum and internship are used interchangeably for BHSS preparation and may carry different meanings at the graduate level. To identify a site, seek out an employer likely to include a bachelor–level mental health provider in their current organizational structure—think creatively about what places may offer mental and behavioral health services. In addition to behavioral health agencies, consider senior living facilities, community centers, and other settings staffed by master–level social workers, counselors, or other licensed providers.
How do I apply for a BHSS certificate?
Before applying for a BHSS certificate, verify that your education program has been approved by the Department of Health. Scroll down the DOH page to see if your school is listed as an approved program. Then, click on the Certificate Information link to follow the application instructions.
What topics will be on the required law and ethics exam?
The BHSS application contains information about RCWs and WACs likely to appear on the jurisprudence exam. The exam is an open-book test, so test takers can search and find answers while taking the exam. More information about the exam is provided by DOH.
Where can I find a BHSS clinical training program?
We publish the names of education partners on our website as programs inform us of their intention to start a BHSS program. Always check with the DOH website on the status of the program, especially over the next several years (between 2025 and 2030). We recommend inquiring with an education program’s leadership about DOH approval. Keep in mind that there is no guarantee that DOH will approve a program application.
Are there any post-baccalaureate (post-bacc) programs?
EWU offers a post-bacc certificate program. Additionally, BHSS education partners can conduct individual reviews of degrees and syllabi to determine courses a post-bacc learner would need to meet state requirements for the BHSS curriculum. Post-bacc students who have graduated from non-BHSS–approved programs must complete a minimum of 30 quarter hours of education, including a minimum of 240 practicum hours. It is important to weigh this investment and decide whether pursuing a master’s degree in a mental or behavioral health profession (i.e., psychology, counseling, social work, marriage and family therapy) may be aligned with personal career goals.
How is a BHSS different from other bachelor’s-level roles in Washington State?
There are a few other bachelor’s-level roles in the behavioral health field. One is the licensed assistant behavior analyst (LABA). A LABA has specific training in behavioral methods that may be used with patients across the lifespan. The majority of LABAs work with children, adolescents, and their families. Another role is the certified agency affiliated counselor (CAAC), who has been registered as an agency affiliated counselor for at least five years and has obtained a bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, or a related profession that meets certain course requirements. The CAAC can assess and render provisional diagnoses under supervision. The designation only applies to licensed behavioral health agencies; CAACs cannot carry this designation outside of the employment setting. The BHSS differs from these roles in that the BHSS is a generalist provider of mental and behavioral health interventions, having met a specific set of competencies designed for the mental and behavioral health employment setting. The BHSS does not diagnose but may work in any setting where there is appropriate supervision. A BHSS may maintain certification however long they wish, and the certification is portable within the boundaries of Washington State.
If I pursue BHSS certification, can I count the education, practicum, and work experience toward a graduate degree in a mental and behavioral health field?
In short, no. Bachelor–level credit typically does not count toward graduate credit. When seeking admission into graduate programs, the BHSS certification and experience may be perceived as evidence of qualification for a graduate degree. In the future, a graduate program might choose to collaborate with an undergraduate program to approve a certain number of undergraduate credits as graduate credits. This arrangement would likely only happen within a single university. For example, a graduate psychology program at X University collaborates with the undergraduate psychology program at X University to count two courses, totaling 10 quarter credits, as eligible for both graduate and undergraduate credit. Students enrolled in approved BHSS programs are encouraged to advocate for policies that empower themselves and other students to pursue graduate degrees.
How do I find a BHSS for my issue or problem?
Currently, there is no directory for BHSS providers. For mental or behavioral health issues, the public may contact 988 or a regional hotline for information and referral. See the following website for more information: Mental health crisis lines | Washington State Health Care Authority.
What is the difference between a licensed mental health counselor and a BHSS?
A licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) is a master-level provider who can independently assess, diagnose, and treat mental and behavioral health conditions. Some LMHCs hold doctorates in counselor education, supervision, or leadership. A nationally accredited master’s degree involves 90 quarter hours of education, a 100-hour practicum, and a 600-hour internship. LMHCs complete approximately two years of full-time employment under supervision following the award of a master’s degree. LMHCs have a broad scope of practice grounded in evidence-based theoretical models of care and may provide long term psychotherapy. An LMHC may choose to be an approved supervisor for a BHSS.
In contrast, a BHSS is a bachelor-level provider certified to deliver brief psychosocial interventions under the supervision of an LMHC or similar provider type. The BHSS has completed 45 or more undergraduate quarter credits in courses covering the BHSS competency framework. A BHSS completed, at minimum, a 240-hour practicum. A BHSS has a limited scope of practice grounded in evidence-based theoretical models aligned with brief psychosocial interventions. A BHSS does not diagnose mental health conditions but does use measurement-based care to track patient or client progress in consultation with their supervisor.