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Behavior Specialist: Depression Recovery, Adolescent - Residential

Rogers Behavioral Health · Oconomowoc, WI · Full time

Posted Sep 1, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you built trust with a young person who didn't want to talk.

What they are checking: Whether they can connect with guarded adolescents with patience.

Tell me about a time you worked with a supervisor to change a treatment plan.

What they are checking: Whether they communicate observations clearly and collaborate with a clinical leader.

What draws you to working with adolescents with depression?

What they are checking: Whether they have a real passion for this population that will sustain them.

What would you do

A teen refuses to get out of bed for programming. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can motivate without power struggles and use the behavior plan consistently.

A patient tells you they've been thinking about hurting themselves. Walk me through your response.

What they are checking: Whether they stay calm, keep the patient safe and report to the team right away.

Two residents are encouraging each other's negative behavior. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they understand peer dynamics in residential care and address them carefully.

How do you lead a group of teens who are all feeling low and quiet?

What they are checking: Whether they can get engagement from a tired, depressed group.

About the work

What is behavioral activation, and how would you use it with a depressed 15-year-old?

What they are checking: Whether they know a core CBT treatment for depression and can adapt it for teens.

How do you use outcome measures to see if a teen's depression is improving?

What they are checking: Whether they track progress with data to guide changes to treatment.

How would you help parents support their teen's progress when they visit?

What they are checking: Whether they can educate families in practical ways that carry over after discharge.

How do you challenge a negative thought with a teen without sounding like you're dismissing them?

What they are checking: Whether they can use cognitive restructuring in a respectful, age-appropriate way.

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The full job description

As published by Rogers Behavioral Health.

Summary: The Behavior Specialist is responsible for supporting the delivery of high-quality Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) interventions within Rogers Behavioral Health treatment programs. The Behavior Specialist is trained to assess the function of behavior, develop & implement individualized plans to address maladaptive behaviors, provide training and education to patients and support persons, collaborate within an interdisciplinary team, and monitor progress of behavior interventions making necessary changes and modifications to produce the best outcomes for patients. Behavior Specialists train and work with an assigned clinical leader to design and implement CBT-specific treatment plans to address presenting symptoms. Job Duties & Responsibilities: • Provide cognitive behavioral and other therapeutic services including groups, to patients, according to clinical standards of care and under the supervision of the Clinical leader to address patients’ specific needs and goals. • Participate in supervision sessions with the Clinical leader, communicate regularly on specific patient progress, and adjustments needed to care plan based on observations and response to interventions delivered. • Regularly monitor the effectiveness of interventions and make necessary adjustments. This involves administering outcome measures, reviewing the results, and modifying interventions as needed in consultation with Clinical leader. Behavior specialists will ensure that interventions are producing the desired outcomes. • Document mental health services according to applicable regulations and payer expectations. Assure acute and timely documentation of therapeutic treatment plans, outcome assessments, psychosocial information, and other patient care data is completed within the medical record. Additional documentation may be completed under close supervision of the Clinical leader within SUD programs. • Participate in multidisciplinary treatment team meetings and assist in development of the treatment plan. • Communicate treatment interventions and support needs for assigned caseload to applicable interdisciplinary team members and to support systems as needed. • Offer training support to other direct care team members less familiar with cognitive behavioral treatment interventions (MHT, nurses, clinic assistants, etc.). • Providing parent or support person training and education on how to support CBT interventions and behavioral treatment plans effectively. This may involve teaching positive reinforcement techniques, modeling appropriate behaviors, and providing strategies for managing challenging situations. • Provide for patient safety and the safety of the facility. • Support changes in staffing/scheduling assignment when program and patient care needs require. • Performs other duties as assigned. These may include but are not limited to: Maintaining a current knowledge base of department processes, protocols, and procedures, pursuing self-directed learning, and continuing education opportunities, and participating on committees, task forces, and work groups as determined by management. Education & Experience: • Bachelor’s Degree required (human services, psychology, social work, or related field). • At minimum, must hold a valid Substance Abuse Counselor-in-Training credential (or state equivalent), if working in an Addiction Recovery program that requires this. • Relevant Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment (CBT) experience (12 months preferred). Relevant experience may include clinical care, human services, or educational equivalent. • For Residential programs – Must hold a current and active driver's license and be in good standing (preferred for all levels of care). Required on-the-job Training: • Compliance with Residential Care Center (RCC) and Community Based Residential Facility (CBRF) (Required for Residential Inpatient programs, preferred for all levels of care). • American Heart Association CPR certification within thirty (30) days of hire. Bi-annual re-certification is required. • Training in Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NCI) within sixty (60) days of hire/transfer. Annual re-certification is required. • Community Based Residential Facility (CBRF) trainings within ninety (90) days of hire. • Additional trainings may be required per unit – these must be completed within timeline established by leadership during onboarding. The System also includes Rogers Behavioral Health Foundation, which supports patient care, programs, and research; and Rogers InHealth, an initiative that works to eliminate the stigma of mental health challenges. https://rogersbhfoundation.org/ EOE/MFDV Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action – Rogers Behavioral Health (rogersbh.org) With a career at Rogers, you can look forward to a Total Rewards package of benefits, including: • Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage for you and your family • 401(k) retirement plan • Employee share program • Life/disability insurance • Flex spending accounts • Tuition reimbursement • Health and wellness program • Employee assistance program (EAP) Through UnitedHealthcare, UMR and HealthSCOPE Benefits creates and publishes the Machine-Readable Files on behalf of Rogers Behavioral Health. To link to the Machine-Readable Files, please visit Transparency in Coverage (uhc.com)

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