Where to Find Work in Georgia's Behavioral Health Industry

Behavioral health is a term that applies to the study and treatment of social, mental, and emotional well-being. Behavioral health addresses a wide range of topics and conditions, including:

Mental Health: conditions like schizophrenia fall under the umbrella of behavioral health, as well as anxiety, depression, and bipolar.
Social and Emotional Functioning: Stress management and relationship therapy are behavioral health issues as well.
Substance Abuse: Alcohol and drug addiction are also covered under the behavioral health umbrella.
Lifestyle Factors: Sleep, diet, and activity impact your behavioral health in many ways.

Those who work in behavioral health in the state of Georgia may also be involved in helping those with developmental delays and disabilities. This industry needs caring and qualified professionals who work to improve the overall well-being of those in their care. By using a variety of techniques and interventions like therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes, behavioral health professionals help patients learn healthy ways to cope more effectively.

The Unique Behavioral Health Industry in Georgia

The behavioral health industry in Georgia is unique in that it dresses patients’ well-being by focusing on recovery through incorporating community-based care. The state addresses the diverse needs of the individual as treatment relates to their diagnosis.

Behavioral health patients who read in Georgia, including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, benefit from a strength-based approach that unique skills and strengths of each individual and includes these experiences in their recovery.

Here is a more detailed breakdown of Georgia’s system:

Community-Based Care: In the state of Georgia, the behavioral health system recognizes the importance of providing services within the patient’s own community. By making these services more accessible in the patient’s home area this approach fosters a sense of belonging and familiarity.
Diverse Needs of The Patient: Those who receive behavioral health care in the state of Georgia include individuals with intellectual disabilities, developmental delays, suffer from substance abuse, mental health challenges, and a combination of behavioral health diagnoses.
Strengths-Based Care: The care provider recognizes the individual strengths of the patient and builds upon them. A strengths-based approach to behavioral health empowers the patient to take an active role in their treatment and recovery.
Recovery-Focused System: Georgia’s unique approach focuses on long-term support and management of behavioral wellness. Many other systems take a crisis-driven approach without the goal of recovery. For instance, addressing the trauma but not looking beyond recovery.
Placing the Emphasis on Wellness: According to the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, recovery is defined as a holistic process that encompasses physical, social, emotional, environmental, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being.

Roles and Responsibilities for Nurses in Georgia’s Behavioral Health Industry

For anyone interested in behavioral health, Georgia offers a bevy of opportunities. Nurses are in high demand right now in this field and there are plenty of job openings for RNs, LPNs, and CNAs, as well as those with more specialized certifications and degrees, such as psychiatric and mental health nurses and nurse practitioners. Let’s take a look and explore the different roles and what their responsibilities may include.

Behavioral Health Nursing Roles

CNA

As a CNA in a behavioral health environment, your role is primarily one of providing direct patient care and support. You will work under the close supervision of nurses and physicians and your responsibilities include assisting the patient with tasks of day-to-day living, monitoring behavioral and mental health status, assisting them in therapeutic activities, and other necessities of direct patient care. Depending on the facility you may play a role in crisis management and helping to ensure the safety of patients and their care team. You will need certification.

LPN

As a licensed practical nurse in behavioral health, you will be called upon to take an active role in patient care. You’ll provide basic nursing care, including medication, educate the patient and their families, monitor vital signs, record progress, and help empower the patient toward recovery.

RN

An RN in behavioral health has many responsibilities, much like an RN in other healthcare organizations and specialties. As an RN you are required to assist in assessing and diagnosing the patient, along with the rest of the primary care team. You’ll need to provide or coordinate treatment through counseling, medication, and emotional support. Many times you are the pivot point for coordinating social services, community resources, and additional healthcare. You’ll educate the patients, and their families and advocate for the best interests of your patient.

In the state of Georgia RNs who work in behavioral health environments don’t have to hold a psychiatric-mental health specialty but it does help. Especially when you are called upon for crisis intervention. A big part of behavioral health nursing involves community engagement. Engaging the community and educating them in behavioral health awareness, prevention, early intervention, and management is essential to mental health wellness.

Telehealth Nurse

Basic behavioral nursing services may be provided to patients through telehealth. In this position, you can assess the patient and determine the immediacy of their needs. After the patient has been discharged from inpatient care a telehealth nurse checks in with them to assess their status, provide access to additional services, assist with case management, and document progress.

Work in Georgia’s Behavioral Health Industry

The state of Georgia offers various settings where nurses can find employment in behavioral health. Outpatient care centers, inpatient recovery, and hospitals that specialize in behavioral health and disorders, addiction, and substance abuse are some of the facilities where CNAs, LPNs, and RNs can find work in Georgia.

Here are the primary places where you can find work in Georgia’s behavioral health industry.

Outpatient Care

A behavioral health outpatient care center in Georgia provides services such as counseling and therapy without requiring the patient to stay overnight. While living at home the patient can receive treatments based on their needs. Outpatient centers offer various types of therapies, support groups, and one-on-one counseling to help patients manage their behavioral health issues, diagnoses, and substance abuse.

For those whose condition doesn’t require inpatient hospitalization the outpatient care facility is a flexible solution. In the state of Georgia, these facilities allow the patient access to specific emotional and behavioral health treatments while still maintaining their daily obligations such as work and family care. An assessment by a behavioral health specialist determines whether the patient will benefit from outpatient care or a more intense care is necessary.

Inpatient Behavioral Health Facility

As an inpatient environment, a behavioral health facility provides round-the-clock care and treatment for any patient with a behavioral health, substance abuse, or dual diagnosis issue. These facilities offer a safe and structured environment in which the patient can recover and learn to manage their diagnosis through specific treatment and therapies. Treatment in an inpatient behavioral health facility addresses long-term recovery.

Substance Abuse Facilities

Substance abuse facilities address specific concerns and issues surrounding addiction. Drug, alcohol, and co-occurring addictions are treated and managed using multi-disciplinary treatments. These are typically inpatient hospitals but some outpatient facilities also address substance abuse. Where the patient goes for help depends on the recommendation of a behavioral health professional.

Private Practices

Behavioral health professionals such as psychiatrists, and psychologists often work in private practice and require nursing staff.

Shelters

Private or state-run shelters provide behavioral health services to the unhoused or those at risk of becoming unhoused. These shelters often employ healthcare staff to help address the behavioral health of individuals in their care.

Correctional Facilities

The Georgia Department of Corrections and the Department of Juvenile Justice employ behavioral health professionals including nurses. These nurses administer medication, conduct behavioral health assessments, and coordinate treatment for inmates experiencing behavioral health issues.

What Education or Certification is Necessary for Nurses to Find Work in Georgia’s Behavioral Health Industry?

Depending on the facility, and your experience, you may need to pursue further education or certification. Your license must be current and you may need to have a minimum of two years of clinical experience in behavioral health. If you have an advanced education in behavioral health/psychiatry you must have a current APRN certification. If your APRN has expired you may need to complete a Georgia board-approved reentry program.

For CNAs and LPNs who want to find work in Georgia’s behavioral health industry, it is helpful to pursue the following certifications.

Behavioral Health Technician Certification (CBHT): This is an advantageous certification for any nurse who plans to work directly with patients in any of the above-listed behavioral health settings. This certification provides specific training in behavioral health practices which offer a deeper understanding of the patients, environment, and duties expected of you. The certification demonstrates your specialized skills and a deeper knowledge of caring for patients with behavioral health needs. It also helps you stand out from employers.

Psychiatric-Mental Health Board Certification (PMH-BC): This certification shows that you demonstrate expertise in the behavioral health nursing field. Awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) this specific certification is very valuable for CNAs and LPNs seeking employment in the behavioral health industry in Georgia. It is considered the standard for those nurses specializing in behavioral health.

Additional Certifications

There are additional certifications that prove helpful in gaining the interest of behavioral health recruiters.

CPR: CPR is necessary for all who work in the healthcare (and many other) field. Make sure your CPR certification stays up-to-date.

Infection Control: Nurses who are certified in infection control demonstrate a commitment to health and wellness through mitigating the spread of disease. An infection control certification is as valuable in the behavioral health industry as it is in any other industry.

LPN Medication Aide: For LPNs, a certification in medication aide, which allows you to administer certain medications to patients, simply makes you that much more valuable to the healthcare organization.

Continuing Education: Continuing education units in psychology and behavioral health-related specialties are necessary for maintaining your competency in the field. Staying current and up-to-date on best practices demonstrates further just how committed you are to understanding your patient’s needs.

Professionally Fulfilling and Gratifying

Working in Georgia’s behavioral health industry can be a highly rewarding job for CNAs, LPNs, and RNs. Even under the most challenging circumstances, the job provides a way to make a real difference in people’s lives, including your patients, their families, and the community. A compassionate behavioral health nurse helps patients overcome challenges due to behavioral health issues, substance abuse, and developmental disabilities; they inspire hope in their patients and the patients’ families.

Not only is working in Georgia’s behavioral health industry personally gratifying but the opportunities for career development and professional growth abound. The skills learned in day-to-day behavioral health settings are invaluable should you want to pursue further education and degrees. From entry-level to leadership positions, a nursing career in behavioral health opens many doors.