Behavioral Health Therapist

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS: Under the direction of the Supervisor, works as a member of an integrated primary care/behavioral health team to provide behavioral health consultation and outpatient counseling services to a diverse population within community health care setting.

Provides a combination of brief, targeted interventions and short-term outpatient counseling to patients across the lifespan; shares responsibility for ensuring adequate coverage of intakes and crisis intervention within the primary care setting and serves as a consultant for the primary care team in identifying, assessing, and making recommendations in the treatment of a variety of behavioral health and substance use disorders.

Demonstrates a sincere understanding of and commitment to the mission, vision, and values of Neighborhood Health.

DUTIES/ RESPONSIBILITIES: (Essential Functions: Duties and responsibilities noted with bullets are considered to be the essential functions of the job).

• Utilizes evidence-based treatment approaches in addressing behavioral health needs of pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients
• Provides clinical counseling services focused on improving functionality and supporting behavior and lifestyle changes
• Responds to behavioral health crises and high-risk situations within the clinic, including conducting safety assessments and obtaining higher levels of care when required
• Functions as a behavioral health consultant within the primary care setting
• Identifies critical barriers to self-sufficiency.
• Provides substance abuse assessments, brief interventions and referrals for treatment when needed
• Develops and implements service plans tailored to address clients’ circumstances.
• Maintains client records such that program and regulatory guidelines are met.
• Reports on a monthly basis client caseload statistics, data and outcomes as required by program expectations and grant guidelines.
• Conducts outreach to local service providers, community organizations, school systems etc., providing trainings, workshops and information as needed. 

The statements in this job description are intended to describe the essential/non-essential nature and level of work performed by Neighborhood Health employee assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities, as other duties and responsibilities may be assigned. 

OTHER DUTIES:

• Prepare and maintain special internal and external reports as requested by Supervisor and/or Department Head.
• Assist with developing, coordinating and recommending changes for the improvement of workflow in the program or section area.
• May be assigned to various project lead roles to advance the development of the department and support ad hoc needs.
• Able to work under minimal supervision
• Employee will be asked to perform additional duties and take on other responsibilities as dictated by events and circumstances. 

QUALIFICATION/EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, or Clinical Psychology
• Licensure in the Commonwealth of Virginia or license-eligible upon hire required
• 2-3 years experience preferred
• Bilingual in English and Spanish sufficient for direct service delivery strongly preferred
• Familiarity with basic medical terminology and basic psycho-pharmacology preferred
• Able to work in fast-paced setting and tolerate interruptions required
• Comfortable working in a medical setting
• Experience working with the population served by Neighborhood Health e.g. immigrants/refugees, clients of all ages and with diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Cultural competency such that the individual possesses a sensitivity, understanding and expertise in caring for persons of diverse cultures
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills