LPC/LCSW

Description:

POSITION:

Behavioral Health Specialist

DEPARTMENT:

Social and Behavioral Health Services

Position Summary:

The Behavioral Health Specialist, as part of the primary care treatment team, identifies, triages and manages patients with behavioral health problems within the primary care setting. In addition, the Behavioral Health Specialist will develop specific behavioral change plans for patients.

Dimensions:

The Behavioral Health Specialist reports to the Clinic Administrator. Daily work involves coordination with primary care providers and specialists to manage treatment of Mental Health issues in the outpatient and care facility populations as well as occasional consults with the hospital. The position requires the ability to work collaboratively with clinic or hospital staff.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist primary health care providers in recognizing and treating mental disorders and psychosocial problems.

• Assess the clinical status of patients referred by primary care providers through brief consultative contacts.

• Work collaboratively with interdisciplinary care team to treat and manage patients with chronic emotional and/or health problems through the application of evidence-based practices.

• Work with primary care provider to refer cases to mental health specialists as appropriate.

• Assist in the detection of at-risk patients and development of plans to prevent further psychological or physical deterioration.

• Assist in preventing relapse or morbidity in conditions that tend to recur over time.

• Evaluate patient care plans with primary care team.

• Teach patients, families and staff about care, prevention and treatment enhancement techniques.

• Monitor the site’s behavioral health program, identifying problems related to patient services and making recommendations for improvement.

• Attend and participate in meetings and quality improvement activities as required.

• Serve as a member of committees as assigned.

• Participate in evaluation of peers and support staff.

• Further the mission of LCHNH through active support of the strategic goals.

• Travel to Facility sites as assigned

• Employees if not Licensed, are required to pass the NCC, to maintain registered NLC status with Colorado DORA and progress toward licensure.

• Develop competency in and complete Social Services duties as assigned.

• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Excellent working knowledge of behavioral medicine and evidence-based treatments for medical and mental health conditions.

• Ability to make quick and accurate clinical assessments of mental and behavioral conditions.

• High level of comfort in working with primary care medical providers using a consultative style.

• Ability to work through brief patient contacts, including via telephone and teleconferencing.

• Good knowledge of psychopharmacology.

• Ability to design and implement clinical pathways and protocols for treatment of selected mental and behavioral conditions.

• Ability to design effective psycho-education curricula and lead effective psycho-education classes.

• Ability to train and teach effective behavioral health interventions and the primary behavioral health model to medical practitioners and other behavioral health providers.

• Ability to work effectively as a team, interfacing with patients, primary care providers, consulting psychiatrist and mental health specialists, as well as with administrative and support staff.

• Ability to exercise balanced judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions, and to handle difficult or confrontational situations in a calm, consistent and equitable manner

• Ability to effectively represent company’s interests in the community and maintain effective working relationships among coworkers, public, private and professional groups.

• Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures or governmental regulations.

Skills and Attitudes:

• Experience working with limited resource population.

• Ability to work professionally under pressure.

• Ability to work in a team and to share responsibilities and duties.

• Ability to resolve interpersonal conflict in a straightforward and timely manner.

• Ability to set priorities, be organized and be a self-starter.

• Ability to be friendly, empathic and an adept communicator.

• Ability to treat both staff and patients with respect.

Education:

• Master’s degree in Social Work or related masters counseling program or Ph.D. in Psychology.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Current state licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Clinical Psychologist or Registered NLC with Colorado DORA.

Physical Requirements:

• Speaking and hearing ability sufficient to communicate effectively by phone or in person at normal volumes.

• Vision adequate to read correspondence, computer screen, forms, etc.

• Good manual dexterity.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Requirements: