ID
12-509-1221
Name
Behavioral Health Specialist
Status
Published
Version
1.3
Updated
11/14/2019 10:11:14 AM
Original Release
11/07/2017
Last Major Release
11/14/2019
NQS Position
Resource Category
Medical and Public Health
Primary Core Capability
Public Health, Healthcare, and Emergency Medical Services
Secondary Core Capability
 
Resource Kind
Personnel
Overall Function
The Behavioral Health Specialist supports disaster behavioral health interventions, triage, assessment, and stabilization or referral of responders, disaster survivors, and affected populations
Single resource
In conjunction with a NIMS typed team
NIMS Typed Team
Behavioral Health Community Services Team
In conjunction with a NIMS typed unit
NIMS Typed Unit
 
Description Notes
Not Specified
Supporting Core Capabilities
None
Types
Type Description
Type 1The NIMS Type 1 Behavioral Health Specialist is a licensed clinical professional who: 1. Functions as a mental health or substance abuse professional in a disaster setting 2. Provides behavioral health triage, assessment, and stabilization or referral of responders and affected populations for the management of mental and emotional disorders 3. Provides determinations, clinical assessment, and clinical guidance for the referral of patients and disaster survivors for diagnosis and treatment
Type 2The National Incident Management System (NIMS) Type 2 Behavioral Health Specialist is an unlicensed behavioral health professional who: 1. Provides supportive mental health or substance abuse services in a disaster setting 2. Works under the direct guidance and supervision of the NIMS Type 1 Behavioral Health Specialist
Components
Component Notes  
EducationNot Specified
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1A Master's degree in counseling, social work, substance abuse, behavioral health, mental health, or equivalent from an accredited college or university
Type 2A Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree in behavioral sciences, such as psychology, social work, counseling, or equivalent from an accredited college or university
TrainingNot Specified
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 2Completion of the following: 1. IS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System, ICS-100 2. IS-200: Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response, ICS-200 3. IS-368: Including People with Disabilities and Others with Access and Functional Needs in Disaster Operations 4. IS-505: Religious and Cultural Literacy and Competency in Disaster 5. IS-700: National Incident Management System, An Introduction 6. IS-800: National Response Framework, An Introduction 7. Psychological First Aid (PFA) Training (minimum four hours)
ExperienceNot Specified
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Two years of experience in a clinical practice setting commensurate with the mission assignment
Type 2Two years of experience in a setting commensurate with the mission assignment
Physical/Medical Fitness1. PPE is mission-specific and may vary by working environment, including protective footwear, protective clothing for skin exposures, eye and hearing protection, respirators, gloves, and masks. 2. NIMS Guideline for the National Qualification System (NQS) defines Physical/Medical Fitness levels for NIMS positions.
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 21. Moderate 2. Is able to work while wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) during shift 3. Maintains immunizations in accordance with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommended adult immunization schedule for the United States of America
CurrencyProvider must carry out and use any background checks as applicable law specifies. This may include a background check completed within past 12 months, sex offender registry check, and a local, state, and national criminal history.
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 21. Ongoing, active participation with an established health care related providing entity such as a hospital, health system, inpatient treatment facility, agency, service, or private practice providing crisis intervention or disaster behavioral health expertise 2. Immunizations up-to-date commensurate with mission assignment 3. Background checks as applicable law permits or requires
Professional and Technical Licenses and CertificationsNot Specified
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 11. State, the District of Columbia, or US territory-granted active status of legal authority to function as a Behavioral Health Specialist without restrictions including, Psychologists, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC), or state-recognized equivalent 2. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration with prescriptive privileges as necessary
Type 2Not Specified
Composition and Ordering Specifications
Specification
Discuss logistics for deploying this position, such as working conditions, length of deployment, security, lodging, transportation, and meals, prior to deployment
1039
Notes
References
Reference
FEMA, NIMS 508: Behavioral Health Community Services Team
FEMA, National Incident Management System (NIMS), October 2017
FEMA, NIMS Guideline for the National Qualification System, November 2017
FEMA, National Response Framework, June 2016
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Immunization Recommendations for Disaster Responders