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Behavioral Health Associate Jobs in Frederick, MD

At Rivermont Schools, we serve students with emotional, behavioral, and developmental challenges ... As a Mental Health Associate with Rivermont Schools, you'll support students with special needs by ...

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Behavioral Health Associate information

See Frederick, MD salary details

$13

$25

$39

How much do behavioral health associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for behavioral health associate in Frederick, MD is $25.93, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.62 and $32.02 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Do you need a degree to be a behavioral health associate?

A behavioral health associate typically does not need a college degree, but relevant certifications or training in mental health or social services are often required. Employers may prefer candidates with a high school diploma or equivalent and some experience working with clients or in healthcare settings.

What can I do with an associate's degree in behavioral health?

A behavioral health associate with an associate's degree can work in settings such as mental health clinics, hospitals, or community agencies, providing support and assisting with patient care. This role often involves skills in communication, documentation, and basic counseling, and may require certification or supervision depending on the state or organization.

What are some common challenges Behavioral Health Associates face during their shifts, and how can they effectively manage them?

Behavioral Health Associates often encounter challenging situations such as managing patients in crisis, de-escalating tense interactions, and maintaining safety in a dynamic environment. It is vital to stay calm under pressure, use therapeutic communication techniques, and follow established protocols to ensure both patient and staff safety. Regular team debriefings, ongoing training, and support from colleagues and supervisors also help associates process difficult experiences and maintain their own well-being.

What are the duties of a behavioral health associate?

A behavioral health associate provides support to individuals with mental health or substance use disorders by assisting with daily activities, monitoring client progress, and implementing treatment plans under supervision. They often document client behavior, facilitate group or individual sessions, and ensure a safe environment, requiring good communication skills and relevant certifications. The role typically involves working in healthcare or community settings and may require adherence to confidentiality and safety protocols.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Behavioral Health Associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Behavioral Health Associate, you need a background in psychology or a related field, knowledge of mental health disorders, and often a relevant certification such as Certified Behavioral Health Technician (CBHT). Familiarity with electronic health records (EHR), crisis intervention techniques, and de-escalation tools is typically required. Compassion, patience, and strong interpersonal communication skills help you effectively support patients and collaborate with healthcare teams. These skills ensure the safety, well-being, and recovery of patients in behavioral health settings.

What are Behavioral Health Associates?

Behavioral Health Associates are professionals who support individuals experiencing mental health or substance use challenges. They typically work in hospitals, residential treatment centers, or outpatient facilities, helping patients with daily activities, monitoring their well-being, and assisting with therapeutic interventions under the supervision of licensed clinicians. Their role is crucial in creating a safe and supportive environment, encouraging patients’ participation in treatment, and communicating observations to the healthcare team. Behavioral Health Associates may also help with crisis intervention and de-escalation, ensuring that patients receive compassionate and effective care.

What is the highest paying job in behavioral health?

The highest paying roles in behavioral health often include clinical directors, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and licensed psychologists, especially those with specialized certifications and extensive experience. These positions typically require advanced degrees, licensure, and leadership responsibilities, and they can offer salaries significantly higher than entry-level positions like behavioral health associates.
What are the most commonly searched types of Behavioral Health jobs in Frederick, MD? The most popular types of Behavioral Health jobs in Frederick, MD are:
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What cities near Frederick, MD are hiring for Behavioral Health Associate jobs? Cities near Frederick, MD with the most Behavioral Health Associate job openings:
Infographic showing various Behavioral Health Associate job openings in Frederick, MD as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $53,942 per year, or $25.9 per hour.
Behavioral Health Associate Counselor, Grade 20

Behavioral Health Associate Counselor, Grade 20

Montgomery County (MD)

Rockville, MD • Hybrid

$67K - $107K/yr

Other

Posted 21 days ago


Job description

About the Position Please note: The salary range above represents this position's earning potential. The anticipated hiring range for this position will be $67,672 to $103,266, based on the candidate's qualifications and experience. WHO WE ARE Montgomery County is located adjacent to Washington, D.C., and with over one million residents, is the most populous County in the State of Maryland

The County is also the most diverse County in the State and ranks among the top ten most diverse Counties in the nation. Montgomery County contains many major U.S. government offices, scientific research and learning centers, and business campuses

The Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for delivery of the County's public health and human services that meets the needs of our community's most vulnerable children, adults and seniors. The Department provides services through more than 120 programs at more than 20 locations. With over 2,000 employees, the Department of Health and Human Services is the largest County Department.

As a department, we believe the health and wellness of the county can only be achieved by ensuring that every resident has fair opportunities to reach their fullest potential. This means access to quality housing, transportation, education, employment, health care, human services, safe neighborhoods, and healthy food. HHS provides critical services for residents who face a variety of obstacles in achieving their full potential.

HHS plays an essential role in building a healthy and strong community. WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services is seeking qualified and dedicated Case Manager who is passionate about helping homeless individuals thrive in their mental health and addiction journey. If you are looking to make a meaningful impact while growing your professional skills then please apply for our Behavioral Health Associate Counselor position, in the Access to Behavioral Health Services of Behavioral Health and Crisis Services.

At Access to Behavioral Health, we believe in creating supportive and collaborative environment where both our clients and our staff feel empowered. What You'll Be Doing This is full performance professional level work providing substance abuse assessment, short-term alcohol and drug counseling, case management services to clients with substance use disorders, and/or crisis intervention services to clients in a community crisis center, shelter, or other health/social service setting. Provides short term counseling and/or crisis intervention, as necessary to assist individuals through the client-counselor relationship to define goals and make decisions relating to substance abuse; plan a course of action reflecting the needs, interests and abilities of the individual relating to substance abuse; and use informational and community substance abuse resources relating to personal, social, emotional, educational, and vocational development and adjustment.

Under clinical supervision, provides: Provides screening, comprehensive assessment of substance abuse and dependency, and referral for drug testing and substance abuse treatment and/or mental health counseling, and follow-up. Maintains client case load and monitors compliance with substance abuse treatment and other requirements or recommendations. Collects data and maintains necessary case work files and records to document client progress for review with senior program staff; prepares appropriate reports and statistics for local and state agencies.

Observes established policy and procedures to document casework including the use of an automated information systems record keeping and sharing of information, and attention to daily work activities. Assists with other activities as assigned, data collection/entry, and collaborative service meetings. Certification: This position requires possession and maintenance at all times a Certification, in the State of Maryland, as a Certified Supervised Counselor, Alcohol/Drug (CSC-AD); or, Certified Associate Counselor, Alcohol/Drug (CAC-AD).

Maryland Department of Health Certified Supervised Counselor-Alcohol and Drug This position requires the ability to attend meetings or perform work at locations outside the office. A criminal background check will be conducted on the selected candidate prior to appointment and will be a significant factor in the hiring decision. Telework: This position may be eligible for limited hybrid telework, after the initial training period and in accordance with departmental policies and operational needs Bilingual applicants in the Spanish/English languages are encouraged to apply.

Minimum Qualifications Experience: None beyond that required to obtain, in the State of Maryland certification as Certified Supervised Counselor, Alcohol/Drug (CSC-AD); or, Certified Associate Counselor, Alcohol/Drug (CAC-AD). Education: None beyond that required to obtain, in the State of Maryland, certification as Certified Supervised Counselor, Alcohol/Drug (CSC-AD); or, Certified Associate Counselor, Alcohol/Drug (CAC-AD). Equivalency: None.

LICENSE: Certification, in the State of Maryland as a Certified Supervised Counselor, Alcohol/Drug (CSC-AD); or, Certified Associate Counselor, Alcohol/Drug (CAC-AD). Note: There will be no substitutions for this section. Medical Protocol: This position requires successful completion of a pre-employment medical evaluation, which includes a physical examination and drug screening.

Preferred Criteria, Interview Preferences The applications of those individuals meeting the minimum qualifications will be reviewed to determine the extent, relevancy of training, and experience in the following areas: Experience providing substance use screenings and assessments to individuals Experience engaging clients in person-centered service plans Experience collaborating with partners in community behavioral health or social service settings Experience learning and navigating service delivery systems to help clients accomplish goals Experience recording work in electronic systems such as electronic health records Experience working well in a busy multitask service environment as part of a professional team Experience providing Spanish language communication in a professional work setting IMPORTANT INFORMATION The Office of Human Resources (OHR) reviews the minimum qualifications of all applicants, irrespective of whether the candidate has previously been found to have met the minimum requirements for the job or been temporarily promoted to the same position. This evaluation is based solely on the information contained in the application/resume submitted for this specific position. Montgomery County Government(MCG) is an equal opportunity employer, committed to workforce diversity.

Accordingly, as it relates to employment opportunities, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, in accordance with the law. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should email OHR at Hiring@montgomerycountymd.gov. Individual determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made in accordance with all applicable laws

MCG also provides hiring preference to certain categories of veterans and veterans/persons with a disability. For more information and to claim employment preference, refer to the Careers webpage on Hiring Preference. All applicants will respond to a series of questions related to their education, relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities required to minimally perform the job.

The applicant's responses in conjunction with their resume and all other information provided in the employment application process will be evaluated to determine the minimum qualifications and preferred criteria or interview preference status. Based on the results, the highest qualified applicants will be placed on an Eligible List and may be considered for an interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are the same grade will be placed on the Eligible List as a "Lateral Transfer" candidate and may be considered for an interview.

This will establish an Eligible List that may be used to fill both current and future vacancies. If selected for consideration for this position, you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume. Montgomery County Ethics Law: Except as provided by law or regulation, the County's "Public Employees" (which does not include employees of the Sheriff's office) are subject to the County's ethics law including the requirements to obtain advanced approval of any outside employment and the prohibitions on certain outside employment.

The outside employment requirements of the ethics law can be found at 19A-12 of the County Code. Additional information about outside employment can be obtained from the Ethics Commission website.