Overview

As an integrated member of the care team in a fast-paced medical clinic, the Behavioral Health Consultant (BHC) will work with the primary care providers, specialty providers, and medical residents to assist in caring for a diverse group of patients with a variety of medical, behavioral health, and behaviorally impacted conditions, including anxiety, depression, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, weight management and other conditions. This position will serve as a fundamental team member to continue to cultivate CommUnityCare’s team-based care model initiatives to serve the community by reaching a large portion of the population. This position may require travel between CommUnityCare sites.

Responsibilities

Essential Duties (at least 5 that are non-negotiable duties and are pertinent to successfully completing the job without accommodations):Primary Accountabilities:

• Provide assessments, screening, and intervention services as an essential member of the care team with the primary goal of collaborating with the primary care and/or specialty providers to identify, treat, and manage patient behavioral health concerns• Consult and collaborate on a multidisciplinary team to provide integrated on-site care, recommendations, and feedback to physicians, physician residents, and/or advanced practice providers.• Practice in a population-based practice management strategy with flexibility for warm-handoffs and the ability to respond to urgent situations• Serve patients with the right care, at the right time, in the right place: see patients who have been scheduled with the BHC as well as patients referred in real time via warm handoffs from other providers in the clinic. Conduct some visits via telehealth as requested by/appropriate for patients. .• Engage in and advocate for CommUnityCare’s primary care-based behavioral health care model to leverage innovation and strategic roles and responsibilities to promote behavior change for optimal patient whole person health.• Clearly and efficiently document patient care plans in the electronic health record.• Support and promote care team capacity to recognize and treat behavioral health conditions.• Collaborate with the care team to refer cases to external mental health specialists and/or crisis services as appropriate.• Educate patients, families, and staff care, prevention, and treatment enhancement techniques.• Attend and participate in meetings and quality improvement activities as appropriate.• Work effectively on a team and communicate respectfully with patients and all staff based on shared goals and mutual respect. This includes active and positive participation in continuous process and quality improvement efforts to improve patient care within the organization’s care model framework.• Attend patient care huddles, meetings, patient conferences, or planning sessions. These may be related to quality assurance, patient care and other related topics within the clinic.• Optimize the quality-of-care delivery through the use and promotion of evidence-based guidelines and standards of care.• Honor patients’ right to privacy and confidentiality. Adhere to strict patient, customer and business confidentiality standards.• Complete all direct and indirect care documentation in timely manner and ensure patient records are current and complete.• Ensure all tasks provided and associated with patient care, patient administrative processes and related duties comply with all regulatory and accreditation standards including The Joint Commission and CommUnityCare Standard Operating Procedures and CommUnityCare Policies and Procedures.• Maintain all licensure and/or certification requirements for continuing education and best practices.• Seek opportunities and implement goals for own professional development.• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:• Excellent working knowledge of evidence-based treatments for mental and behavioral health conditions.• Ability to make quick and accurate clinical assessments of mental and behavioral conditions.• High level of comfort in working within a multi-disciplinary care team.• Willingness to deliver care using brief, focused, goal-oriented patient interactions, using both in-person and remote care delivery models, including telehealth.• Ability to help design and implement clinical pathways and protocols for treatment of select mental and behavioral conditions.• 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 psychiatric providers and behavioral 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 CommUnityCare’s interests in the community and maintain effective working relationships among co-workers, public, private, and professional groups.• Ability to read, analyze and interpret professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.• Ability to multi-task in fast-paced environment• Efficient and organized• Reliable and punctual• Strong written and verbal communication skills• Strong patient/customer service skills• Problem solving skills individually and in a group setting• Ability to honor patients’ right to privacy and confidentiality and adhere to strict patient, customer and business confidentiality standards. Ability to work well as a team player with patient care as the first priority• Demonstrates cultural competence with patients and staff• Open to continuous learning to build effectiveness• Attentive to safety and security issues• Articulates and supports the mission of the organization

EXPECTED BEHAVIORS:

• Treat all people, including oneself, with dignity, respect and compassion.• Honor diversity in practices of faith, traditions, and culture.• Maintain self-care to ensure optimal, ethical and safe health delivery service to patients.• Recognize the good work and accomplishments of others.• Protect personal and professional privacy and confidentiality.• Communicate truthfully and expect others to do the same.• Seek out education and training to increase clinical competencies and participate in opportunities for development.• Accept and offer feedback that promotes respect and leads to development.• Contribute to a positive work environment that promotes flexibility and resiliency in its team members• Be accountable for the successful completion of our work.

Qualifications

MINIMUM EDUCATION: Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or related field.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE: At least 2 years of clinical experience in mental health.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSURE: Current Licensure as LCSW or LPC in the State of Texas.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE: At least 2 years of clinical experience in mental health with at least 1 of those years experience in a primary care setting.