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Best behavioral health specialist certifications
The best certifications for a behavioral health specialist are Mental Health, Correctional Behavioral Health Certification - Behavioral Specialty (CBHC-BS), and Basic Life Support (BLS).
Behavioral health specialist certifications demonstrate your competency as a behavioral health specialist to employers. However, not all behavioral health specialist certifications provide the same value.
Below is a list of the best behavioral health specialist certifications. Obtaining a behavioral health specialist certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
3 best certifications for behavioral health specialists
| Rank | Behavioral health specialist certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mental Health | AOTA |
| 2 | Correctional Behavioral Health Certification - Behavioral Specialty (CBHC-BS) | ACA |
| 3 | Basic Life Support (BLS) | AHA |
3 best behavioral health specialist certifications
1. Mental Health
Occupational therapy in mental health.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required? No
2. Correctional Behavioral Health Certification - Behavioral Specialty (CBHC-BS)
The purpose of the examination for the Correctional Behavioral Health Certification is to ensure a candidate's knowledge of national standards and guidelines, legal and ethical principles, relevant security regulations, and the role of correctional professionals associated with behavioral health services in jails, prisons, juvenile justice facilities, community corrections, and other correctional facilities operated by special jurisdictions.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
3. Basic Life Support (BLS)
The Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers Classroom Course is designed to provide a wide variety of healthcare professionals the ability to recognize several life-threatening emergencies, provide CPR, use an AED, and relieve choking in a safe, timely and effective manner.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
What is the best certification for a behavioral health specialist?
The best behavioral health specialist certification is Mental Health. The Mental Health is awarded by the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this behavioral health specialist certification:
- To become a certified Mental Health, you don't need to pass the exam.
- Lucky you - certification doesn't require more than two years of work experience.
- No renewal for certification, if you earn it once it is valid all time.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for behavioral health specialists?
The most in-demand behavioral health specialist certification is Mental Health based on all active job postings. Having this behavioral health specialist certification will give you access to more behavioral health specialist jobs with higher salaries.
The most common combination of behavioral health specialist certifications include: Mental Health, Correctional Behavioral Health Certification - Behavioral Specialty (CBHC-BS), and Basic Life Support (BLS).
Online courses for behavioral health specialists to earn certifications
1. Health Behavior Change: From Evidence to Action
Humans often fail to make rational decisions that affect their health. This course seeks to heighten understanding of the social and behavioral factors that contribute to health decisions and behaviors, with an ultimate goal of learning how to utilize these factors in improving public health efforts. Through a set of experiential learning exercises, students will learn to apply the science of health behavior change in their own lives. The course is appropriate for students interested in health...
2. Creating Behavioral Change
In this course you will learn about understanding and changing mental and physical health behavior. We will examine both the historical context and the current science. Major topics will include fundamental behavioral principles and basic elements of empirically supported individual treatments (e.g., motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapies). Lectures and examples will illustrate both the theory and the practice of evidence-based approaches to behavior change. You will engage...
3. Addiction & Mental Health (Dual Diagnosis) Integrative 12hrs
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions: Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health - Integrative Holistic Approach...
4. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): The Complete Course
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)...
5. Operations and Patient Safety for Healthcare IT Staff
Now that you've been introduced to the world of Health IT and the important role played by electronic health records (EHRs), we'll focus on other technologies that play a role in maintaining ongoing operations in healthcare. Telemedicine, patient portals, barcode scanners, printers, and medical devices are just some of the technologies that impact providers and patients. As an IT support specialist, you’ll be asked to troubleshoot issues with a wide variety of tools. You'll see a scenario with...
6. Foundational Skills for Communicating About Health
Effective communication is a core skill that nearly every health professional will need and use during their careers. Yet, few health professionals receive even basic training in how to design communications to be clear and successful. As “foundational skills,” the content in this course can be applied to both oral and written communication, within and beyond health. Learners will develop the skills to: analyze and tailor a communication effort for different audiences, develop clear messages,...
7. Addiction & Mental Health - Chemically Speaking Two (2hrs)
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions - Understand Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health. How to help people...
8. Cat Behavior Rectification & Cat Health Care: 2 courses in 1
1. Common Cat Behavior Issues and training methods to rectify them 2. Tips for better healthcare of your cat...
9. Social Determinants of Health
This is an introductory course on social determinants of population health with a focus on the United States. The course will introduce you to, or reinforce your knowledge of, issues related to health that consider behavioral, psychological and structural factors in population health beyond the healthcare system. We will examine social, economic, and political factors that contribute to health inequalities and suggest innovative ways to reduce disparities in health when the goal is to achieve...
10. The Influence of Social Determinants on Health
Why are some groups healthier than others, and how do these differences emerge and persist over a lifetime? How do social policies on housing, transportation, and employment relate to health and health inequalities?\n\nThis specialization will examine social, behavioral, economic, political, and structural factors that contribute to health inequalities, and suggest innovative ways to reduce disparities in health to achieve health equity.You will learn,\n\n-Use conceptual models to understand...
11. Managing mental health issues in the workplace
Learn how to support your own mental health and wellbeing and that of your staff...
12. Abnormal Behavior & Clinical Psychology (Certificate)
Guiding students into the field of mental health services for either personal and/or professional development...
13. Mental Health and Wellness Professional (MHW) Diploma Course
Discover a flexible and comprehensive way of understanding mental health as a Certified Mental Health Professional (MHP)...
14. Mental Health Ambassador Certificate
Be a leader in improving society's mental health and learn to provide mental health first aid...
15. [Accredited] Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Counselor
Learn DBT in depth, start conducting sessions with ready to use templates, and set up counseling practice within weeks!...
16. Workplace Mental Health: A Manager's Ultimate Guide
How to manage mental health in the workplace to boost productivity and be the best boss!...
17. Health Coaching Certification Holistic Wellness Health Coach
Health Coaching Practitioner Course Graduates Prepared Health Coaching Specialists in Holistic Wellness Health Coaching...
18. Mental Health First Aid Skills -
This course is designed to provide the tools and knowledge for learners to help and support those experiencing MH issues...
19. Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist
Health Information Technology HIT...
20. Crisis Intervention Seminar
The emphasis is on the development of fundamental clinical skills in the area of crisis intervention...