Position Title:

Behavioral Health Therapist

Department:

Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)

Supervisor:

Social Work Manager

Hours per week/Schedule:

40 hours, Monday Friday, 8-4pm

Program Overview:

PACE is a national model of care that provides older adults and their caregivers health care and community support. Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly are innovative because they provide continuous care and services offering individuals eligible for nursing home care the option of continuing to live in the community.

The PACE model is based on the belief and experience that older adults with chronic care needs are better served living in their homes and communities, whenever possible. PACE participants are 55 years or older and are deemed eligible for nursing home level of care.

Upham’s PACE serves a diverse population of older adults in the community and at our PACE centers located in Dorchester, Roxbury, and Jamaica Plain neighborhoods of Boston.

Primary Function:

The Behavioral Health Therapist (BHT) will provide behavioral health services to PACE participants enrolled at each of the three Upham’s PACE Centers (Jamaica Plain, Roxbury, and Dorchester) who have been referred by the Interdisciplinary Teams (IDT.) The BH Therapist will maintain communication with IDT members and act as liaison between contracted BH providers. This is a full-time position functioning within the Social Work Department and reports directly to the Social Work Manager.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provide behavioral health therapy to a caseload of PACE participants in various settings including the PACE health centers, participant homes (including assisted living facilities and skilled nursing facilities), and/or virtually

• Collaborate with the IDT in participants’ care planning process

• Research behavioral health contract opportunities for specialized care and support participants in accessing services

• Collaborate with administrative and transportation staff to ensure appointment attendance

• Attend IDT meetings on an as-needed basis

• Provide mental wellness training and consultation to staff

• Document services using a privacy focused feature on the EHR

• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Social Work Manager

Experience & Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Social Work with Massachusetts LICSW licensure preferred

• Two years of experience as a behavioral health therapist preferred

• Experience and interest in supporting a diverse population of older adults

• Knowledge of dual diagnosis treatment, harm reduction, trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, and the recovery model

• Commitment to equitable and culturally appropriate care for a wide range of diverse populations, including (but not limited to) communities of color, LGBTQ communities, non-English speaking populations, people with histories of incarceration, people with substance use disorders and behavioral health challenges, and people experiencing homelessness.

• Bilingual in English/Spanish a plus

• Interest in working in a collaborative, team environment.

• Bilingual, Bicultural, BIPOC, and LGBTQ -identifying are encouraged to apply.

Independent Action:

The BHT should expect to work independently within a team of professionals, adhering to UCHC and PACE policies and procedures to assess client needs and deliver competent, qualified services.

Supervisory Responsibility:

Supervision of LCSW Social Workers and social work interns as needed.

Define Access Level to PHI:

4 - Authorized to access full health information. UCHC position and job responsibilities involve the provision of patient care and working as a clinical team member. Staff in this category level, although allowed full access, should only access the necessary information for each respective treatment encounter/circumstance.