Description

POSITION TITLE: Behavioral Health Specialist

LOCATION: HOPE Clinic

REPORTS TO: Behavioral Health Director

EDUCATION: Master's degree in a behavioral science or related field and a professional mental health license.

WORK EXPERIENCE: Minimum of two years of experience working with children, families, and other individuals with behavioral health issues

SALARY RANGE: Depend on Experience

FLSA STATUS: Salary - Exempt

POSITION TYPE: Full-Time

LANGUAGE: Fluent in English; Bilingual in English and Spanish, Arabic, Burmese, Chinese or other languages is strongly preferred

HOPE Clinic provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Behavioral Health Specialist will be responsible for providing episodic behavioral health and clinical services to a wide range of individuals and families including but not limited to foster children, their biological families, foster families and/or adoptive families as well as other children, adolescents, adults and families covered by other insurance plans/payers as assigned. 

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Complete initial diagnostic assessments on all patients assigned to determine treatment needs, as well as conduct ongoing assessments to determine when clinical goals have been achieved and service delivery is no longer indicated;
• Develop and implement initial treatment plans and update treatment plans to include age appropriate clinical interventions/objectives/goals that are observable and measurable;
• Provide support and crisis management services as needed or as requested by supervisor;
• Prepare and maintain all required treatment records, documentations and reports in the electronic records;
• Maintain confidentiality of records relating to clients' treatment;
• Encourage patients to express their feelings and discuss what is happening in their lives, helping them to develop insight into themselves or their relationships;
• Collect information about clients through interviews, observation, or tests;
• Fill out and maintain client-related paperwork, including federal- and state-mandated forms, client diagnostic records, and progress notes;
• Counsel clients or patients, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes;
• Evaluate clients' physical or mental condition, based on review of client information (e.g. suicide risks, etc); 
• Act as client advocates to coordinate required services or to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations;
• Provide consultation to and coordinate care of patients with health center primary care staff;
• Utilize therapeutic modalities that match the fast-paced primary care environment such as behavioral and cognitive behavioral modalities, solution-focused brief therapy, motivational interviewing, etc.
• Modify treatment activities or approaches as needed to comply with changes in clients' status;
• Evaluate the effectiveness of counseling programs on clients' progress in resolving identified problems and moving towards defined objectives;
• Consult with PCPs in real-time to enhance understanding of the patient, provide decision support for treatment planning and assist in the implementation and monitoring of biopsychosocial treatment plans;
• Monitor patients' use of medications; 
• Learn about new developments in counseling by reading professional literature, attending courses and seminars, or establishing and maintaining contact with other social service agencies;
• Refer patients, clients, or family members to community resources or to specialists as necessary;
• Gather information about community mental health needs or resources that could be used in conjunction with therapy; 
• Supervise other counselors, social service staff, assistants, or graduate students, as needed;
• Plan or conduct programs to prevent substance abuse or improve community health or counseling services;
• Close all charts within forty-eight (48) hours by the end of the week; as required by contacted funding sources: including assessments, progress notes, and billing;
• Abides by clinic’s policies and procedures and Behavioral Health Department Policies and Procedures;
• Attend on-site/off-site community engagement activities and on-site/off-site clinic events as needed; 
• Perform other duties as assigned to support HOPE Clinic’s Mission, Vision, and Values.

Requirements

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Licensed LMFT, LPC, LCSW, Psy.D. or Ph.D;
• Current license to practice in Texas;
• Bilingual (Vietnamese, Chinese, Arabic and/or Spanish with English) is strongly preferred;
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation;
• Abide by respective licensing board Code of Ethics. 

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

Master’s Degree, PhD., or PsyD. With minimum of two years of experience working with children, families, and other individuals with behavioral health issues. Experience with foster and/or adoptive children and families and knowledge of the DFPS system is preferred.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:

• Above average skills in language ability as well as public speaking and writing;
• Strong clinical and assessment skills, cultural competence, basic casework skills (referrals, advocacy);
• Competency in providing cognitive and behavioral interventions to children, adolescents and adults;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with primary care staff, patients and other behavioral health clinicians.