In the 2023 legislative session, Washington State determined that the “behavioral health support specialist is a new member of the workforce in Washington state trained in the competencies developed by the University of Washington behavioral health support specialist clinical training program. The behavioral health support specialist clinical training program is characterized by brief, evidence-based interventions delivered to the intensity and expected duration of the behavioral health problem. The approach features routine outcome monitoring and regular, outcome-focused supervision. Use of behavioral health support specialists in Washington is expected to improve access to behavioral health services and ease workforce shortages while helping behavioral health professionals work at the top of their scope of practice.” (chapter 18.227.005 RCW)
BHSS Clinical Training Program Competency Domains
Listed in WAC 246-821-110, the competency domains and meta competencies developed by the UW BHSS Clinical Training Program include:
Health equity, which includes:
(i) Recognizing the impact of health disparities on patient engagement; and
(ii) Practicing use of inclusive communication that supports health care equity.
The helping relationship, which includes:
(i) Developing a supportive and effective working alliance with patients and their support networks;
(ii) Engaging patients to enhance participation in care;
(iii) Facilitating group psychoeducation; and
(iv) Utilizing a trauma-informed care framework in all aspects of helping relationships;
Cultural responsiveness, which includes:
(i) Developing knowledge of patient's identity(ies);
(ii) Providing services responsive to patient's identity(ies);
(iii) Practicing cultural humility in relationships; and
(iv) Striving to address own biases in work with patients.
Team-based care and collaboration, which includes:
(i) Integrating professional identity and scope of practice within a health care team;
(ii) Practicing interprofessional communication; and
(iii) Contributing to teams and teamwork.
Screening and assessment, which includes:
(i) Utilizing appropriate standardized screening tools to identify common behavioral health conditions;
(ii) Conducting a suicide risk assessment and providing appropriate intervention under supervision;
(iii) Conducting a patient-centered biopsychosocial assessment; and
(iv) Using measurement-based care to support stepped care approaches and adjusting the type and intensity of services to the needs of the patient.
Care planning and care coordination, which includes:
(i) Contributing to the development of a whole health care plan and stay well plan with the patient, the patient's support network, and health care team members;
(ii) Maintaining a registry to systematically track patient treatment response to interventions;
(iii) Ensuring the flow and exchange of information among patients, patients' support networks, and linked providers;
(iv) Facilitating external referrals to social and community-based services (housing assistance, food banks, vocational rehabilitation, substance use disorder treatment, etc.);
(v) Demonstrating accurate documentation of services provided and summaries of contact with linked providers in the patient record; and
(vi) Recognizing the interaction between behavioral health conditions, chronic health conditions, and their associated symptoms.
Intervention, which includes:
(i) Integrating motivational interviewing strategies into practice;
(ii) Providing psychoeducation to patients and their support network about behavioral health conditions and treatment options consistent with recommendations from the health care team;
(iii) Employing distress tolerance strategies including problem-solving and relaxation techniques to reduce the impact of acute stress on patient mental and behavioral health;
(iv) Applying brief, evidence-based treatment for common mental health presentations including depression, based on behavioral activation principles;
(v) Applying brief, evidence-based treatment for common mental health presentations including anxiety, based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) principles;
(vi) Using harm reduction strategies for substance use concerns including the delivery of screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment (SBIRT); and
(vii) Demonstrating a clear understanding of the evidence base for brief treatment that focuses on symptom reduction.
Law and ethics, which includes:
(i) Identifying and applying federal and state laws to practice;
(ii) Integrating foundations of interprofessional ethics into practice;
(iii) Utilizing supervision and consultation to guide practice; and
(iv) Engaging in ongoing reflective practice.
Approved BHSS Education Programs
Approved BHSS Education Programs will be listed below after applications have been received and processed. Applications for BHSS Education Programs will be made available in early 2025. For more detailed information about application requirements, see BHSS Licensing Information.