Job Summary:
The Behavioral Health Consultant (BHC) reports to the Behavioral Health Director. Under general supervision and with latitude for independent judgment. The BHC provides health and behavior assessment and brief interventions to patients with chronic health illnesses. The BHC is a part of the person-centered integrated care team and provides direct and indirect services to persons served in primary care setting. BHC assigned to the Patient Centered Health Home (PCHH) will provide care to designated population.
Job Duties & Tasks:
- Work cooperatively with MHHC’s providers and personnel to carry out the goals and objectives of MHHC, according to established policies and procedures.
- Will treat others respectfully whether it is a patient, fellow employee, member of management, customer, vendor or visitor to our premises.
- Provide behavioral health consultations via same day or scheduled handoffs requested by medical providers. Provide short-term behavior interventions in order to assist patients in identifying and making behavior changes to improve their mental and physical health.
- Provide required Patient Centered Health Home (PCHH) contacts monthly in order to assist in care management, care coordination, health promotion, transition of care, referrals and patient/family support.
- Plan treatment based on the individual patient’s needs and resources utilizing SMART goals and objectives.
- Assist care team in high utilizer follow-up and plan of care.
- Behavioral health support to assist patients in improving health status and managing chronic illnesses.
- Provide assistance with medication adherence, treatment plan adherence, self-management support, goal setting and/or facilitate group classes.
- Provide screening, brief intervention/education, brief coaching and referrals for substance use disorders.
- Meet regularly with primary care team to plan care and discuss patient needs.
- Focusing on managing a population of patients versus specialty care.
- Provide educational materials, handouts and discussion of strategies individualized to meet patients’ needs. Participate in development and selection of patient education materials and services.
- Provide clear and concise feedback to referring primary care provider regarding results of consult and follow-up plan.
- Coordinate professionals involved in patient care to ensure interdisciplinary collaboration and continuity of services, including arranging referrals for patients to other specialists, institutions or support services as necessary.
- Function as an integral part of an integrated, multidisciplinary team including primary care providers, Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) providers, behavioral health providers, psychiatrists, psychologists, community health workers, peer support workers, care managers and clinical nurses.
- Carry out ongoing record keeping and case review of all behavioral health consultation documentation in compliance with CMS and other health insurance guidelines. Will complete record keeping and other required documentation in a timely fashion.
- Evaluate crisis situations and apply appropriate interventions.
- Offer in-service education programs and functions as a resource to the medical staff and the community as needed.
- Represent the Health Center and the Behavioral Health Staff to the community at large in a professional and helpful manner.
- Must comply with the provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996.
- Attend and participate in staff meetings, huddles, department meetings and other meetings/trainings as assigned.
- Carry out all above-mentioned duties with the highest professional standards, including maintenance of patient confidentiality
Skills:
- Motivational Interviewing.
- Excellent communication and listening skills.
- Empathy and the ability to work with people in distress.
- Ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
- Honesty and integrity.
- Problem-solving and decision-making skills.
- Excellent written communication skills.
Qualifications:
- Master’s Degree or higher in a mental health field with current licensure and documented clinical course work and field experience.
- Hold one of the following active Missouri Licenses: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Masters Social Worker (LMSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Provisional Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (PLMFT), Clinical Psychologist and Provisional Clinical Psychologist.
- BLS (Basic Life Support)
- Possess broad background of training and experience with various patient populations and modes of service delivery.
- Must demonstrate the ability to navigate Microsoft Office applications.
- Must be able to talk, hear, react, stand, kneel and lift.
