Behavioral Health Clinician I - Collaborative Care (Req 101081)

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Behavioral Health Clinician-Collaborative Care (BH-CC) is a core member of the collaborative care team, including the patient’s medical provider and psychiatric consultant, as well as the larger primary care team. The BH-CC is responsible for supporting and coordinating the mental and physical health care of patients on an assigned patient caseload with the patient’s medical provider and, when appropriate, other mental health providers. The BH-CC works in collaboration with the mental health clinic team, as well as the entire behavioral health department.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Support the mental and physical health care of patients on an assigned patient caseload. Closely coordinate care with the patient’s medical provider and, when appropriate, other mental health providers.

· Screen and assess patients for common mental health and substance abuse disorders. Facilitate patient engagement and follow-up care.

· Participate in warm hand-offs from primary care and the SBIRT process.

· Coordinate care with behavioral health services (mental health and substance use disorder).

· Provide patient education about common mental health and substance abuse disorders and the available treatment options.

· Systematically track treatment response and monitor patients (in person or by telephone) for changes in clinical symptoms and treatment side effects or complications

· Support psychotropic medication management as prescribed by medical providers, focusing on treatment adherence monitoring, side effects, and effectiveness of treatment.

· Provide brief behavioral interventions using evidence-based techniques such as behavioral activation, problem-solving treatment, motivational interviewing, or other treatments as appropriate. Conduct services via telephonic/tele-practice contact.

· Provide or facilitate in-clinic or outside referrals to evidence-based psychosocial treatments (e.g. problem-solving treatment or behavioral activation) as clinically indicated.

· Participate in regularly scheduled (usually weekly) caseload consultation with the psychiatric consultant and communicate resulting treatment recommendations to the patient’s medical provider. Consultations will focus on patients new to the caseload and those who are not improving as expected under the current treatment plan. Case reviews may be conducted by telephone, video, or in person.

· Participate in primary care meetings/huddles and behavioral health staff meetings.

· Participate in behavioral health clinical supervisory and education meetings.

· Exhibits knowledge and skill in all functions of the electronic medical record pertinent to successful job performance.

· Track and document in-person and telephone encounters in the establishing tracking system. Document encounters, patient progress and treatment recommendations in the EHR to be shared with medical providers, psychiatric consultant, and other treating providers.

· Facilitate referrals for clinically indicated services outside of the organization (e.g., social services such as housing assistance, vocational rehabilitation, mental health specialty care, substance abuse treatment).

· Develop and complete relapse prevention self-management plan with patients who have achieved their treatment goals and are soon to be discharged from the caseload.

· Contributes to the provision of a safe and respectful environment for treatment.

· Develops and networks with other community service providers to provide the full continuum of care needs identified by the multidisciplinary treatment team and supervisor

· Maintains a professional relationship with staff and other providers and the community.

· Participates in individual and group supervision and; reports all pertinent information to supervisor. Participates in staff meetings and other meetings, as assigned.

· Utilizes the DSM V Diagnostic and Statistical Manual in the diagnostic impression for all clients.

· Completes Continuing Education requirements per licensing requirements and abides by all professional licensure Canon of ethics and insures that license to practice is maintained.

· Demonstrates excellence in both internal and external customer service.

· Understands and is able to effectively communicate HIPAA compliance, corporate compliance and client confidentiality.

· Ensures and/or remains in compliance with local, state, and federal regulation, i.e. DHHS HRSA and NYSDOH, and all accreditation standards (e.g. Joint Commission and NCQA-PCMH).

· Ensures and/or remains in compliance with local, state, and federal regulation, i.e. OASAS, NYS DOH. Adheres to the National Patient Safety Goals as defined by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and the Whitney M. Young Jr. Health Services.

· Completes other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in a behavioral health related field (social work, psychology, or human services), or be a clinician (limited permit) with behavioral health training. And must possess formal education or specialized training in behavioral health such as social work, counseling, psychology, or human services.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Master’s Degree in Social Work or Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling with an LMSW from New York State or Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling with an LMHC; at least one year work experience providing behavioral health treatment services in a medical setting; Experience with assessment and treatment planning for common mental health and/or substance use disorders. Strong assessment and diagnostic skills. Working knowledge of evidence-based psychosocial treatments and brief behavioral interventions for common mental health disorders, when appropriate (e.g., motivational interviewing, problem-solving treatment, behavioral activation). Basic knowledge of psychopharmacology for common mental health disorders that is within appropriate scope of practice for type of provider filling role. Knowledge of recovery concepts, self-help groups, and community resources; Demonstrated ability to collaborate and communicate effectively in a team setting.

Provides excellent customer service and demonstrates a high level of cultural competency; Ability to adhere to strict confidentiality guidelines; Working knowledge of computers and electronic health records. Basic knowledge of psychopharmacology for common mental health disorders that is within appropriate scope of practice for type of provider filling role. Knowledge of recovery concepts, self-help groups, and community resources. Three to five years’ experience providing behavioral health treatment services in a medical setting. Experience with evidence-based counseling techniques.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected status.

Salary range: $52,000 - $68,000 annually