BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COUNSELOR

1. Position Summary:

The Behavioral Health Consultant provides a consistent milieu of assessment, Integrated and traditional care and therapeutic intervention counseling to patients experiencing social, emotional or medical difficulties.  The Behavioral Health Consultant participates as a team member in the development and facilitation of the individual treatment and behavior modification plan as appropriate. The Behavioral Health Consultant actively participates in activities that support the improvement of the Patient Centered Medical Home using team based care to achieve improved health outcomes as well as improved patient experiences.

Rural Health Services, Inc. (RHS) seeks a dedicated, adaptable Behavioral Health Consultant (BHC) to join our integrated primary care team. The BHC will serve as a behavioral health generalist within the Primary Care Behavioral Health (PCBH) model, while triaging and collaborating with CoCM care managers and psychiatric consultants. This role also includes active participation in Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) workflows to support individuals with substance use disorders through integrated behavioral and medical care.

II.   Essential Functions/Responsibilities:

• Develops a rapport with patients striving to build a patient partnership that facilitates marked familiarity with patients’ medical and treatment history, care needs, and psychosocial factors as a means to manage patient’s risk factors and improve patient outcomes.
• Actively utilizes a strong provider network of behavioral health supports able to meet the needs of RHS patients in all areas served.
• Assesses patients as requested by primary care providers, participates in the diagnosis process for behavioral health presentations or issues and refers individuals for specialty consultation or treatment in conformance with approved protocols and guidelines.     
• Assesses  emergencies as appropriate with recommendations for treatment.
• Records actions and interventions in the patient record accurately and completely reflecting the nature of the contact, the condition of the patient and the care or treatment provided or recommended.
• Educates patients and family in the nature of behavioral health related conditions and in the general promotion of positive and supportive lifestyles.
• Serves on assigned committees
• Assists with the preparation of reports on Behavioral Health department issues, concerns, program status, initiatives with the Director of Behavior Health.
• Assists in the provision of continuing education, on-the-job training, and the orientation of RHS staff as requested.
• Utilizes appropriate Behavioral Health policies, protocols and procedures which are in compliance with the most current accepted professional standards.  Collaborates with management staff to ensure smooth operation of behavior health services.
• Assistance in the provision of technical assistance and health education in the community.
• Assist in the preparation of an operating budget for the Behavioral Health Department and oversees compliance with same.        May assist in the preparation of special grant and project budgets as required to meet the goals of the organization.
• Provides services as delineated in the RHS behavioral health plan.
• Responsible for personal as well as Departmental full compliance with all applicable federal, state, local and center rules, regulations, protocols and procedures governing behavioral health and the clinical provision of behavioral health care as well as those relating to, but not limited to, personnel issues, work place safety, public health and confidentiality.
• Ensure the proper and effective implementation of all quality assurance initiatives related to behavioral health services.
• Participates in the Health Promotion/Disease Prevention activities required by the U. S. Public Health Services.
• Ensures an appropriate environment for the administration of behavioral health services by keeping all equipment and work areas in a clean, safe, and orderly fashion.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Clinical Responsibilities

• Deliver rapid, functional assessments and brief, population-based, evidence-informed behavioral health interventions integrated into primary care workflows.
• Conduct motivational interviewing, brief CBT strategies, and solution-focused interventions.
• Engage in warm handoffs and collaborate with medical providers in real time.
• Identify patients for CoCM services and refer appropriately to the Behavioral Health Care Coordinator (BHCC).
• Participate in CoCM psychiatric case reviews, offering PCBH-aligned insights and supporting fidelity to team-based care.
• Support MAT initiatives:
  • Conduct behavioral assessments for MAT candidates.
  • Provide psychoeducation and motivational interventions related to substance use recovery.
  • Support prescribers during MAT inductions and maintenance.
  • Offer relapse prevention planning and adherence support.

Team Collaboration

• Collaborate with primary care providers, BHCMs, psychiatric consultants, and nursing/support staff.
• Maintain clear role distinctions among PCBH, CoCM, and MAT functions.
• Provide input on screening protocols (e.g., SBIRT), workflows, and care pathways to optimize integrated behavioral health delivery.

Quality Improvement & Documentation

• Document encounters accurately and promptly in the EHR.
• Track and report on key performance metrics such as access, warm handoffs, brief intervention rates, MAT participation, and CoCM referrals.
• Participate in fidelity monitoring, quality improvement initiatives, and cross-functional team meetings to enhance workflow efficiency and care effectiveness.

Qualifications

Required

• Master’s or doctoral degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy, or related behavioral health field.
• Active, independent licensure in South Carolina (LISW-CP, LPC, LMFT, Psychologist).
• Strong clinical skills in rapid assessment, brief therapy techniques, and behavioral health consultation.
• Familiarity with PCBH and CoCM workflows, MAT treatment protocols, and team-based integrated care.
• Comfort working across a range of behavioral health and chronic disease presentations.

Preferred

• Experience in FQHC or rural health settings.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) or multilingual capabilities.
• Proficiency with EHR systems and experience in measurement-based care.
• Training in SBIRT, trauma-informed care, and substance use screening tools.

Skills/Certifications:

• The ability to analyze complex information and communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• The ability to set priorities and to make decisions on care programs and behavioral health issues.
• Requires a comprehensive knowledge of primary care in a community health setting
• Must be able to creatively work with other health care professionals from a variety of disciplines to achieve maximal productivity and programmatic effectiveness while continuously promoting the growth and development of fellow professionals, exercising appropriate control and displaying good work judgement.
• Personal and professional qualities, which will permit the Behavioral Health Consultant to work with the staff of the health care center in such a manner as to earn their confidence and respect.

• Flexibility and resilience in a fast-paced setting.
• Excellent communication and team collaboration skills.
• Strong organizational and time-management abilities.
• Ability to prioritize population health needs over long-term psychotherapy.
• Commitment to health equity and serving diverse, underserved populations.

Experience/Education Required:

• Master’s Degree in Counseling or Clinical Psychology or a related field of study.
• Licensed as a LISW-CP.
• Completion of an accredited post graduate program
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience preferred
• Ability to be clinically fluent in Spanish preferred
• Current CPR (BLS)  

DISCLAIMER

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent.  It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent.  Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required and the responsibilities of the position may change.