Behavioral Health Clinician, Integrated

POSITION SUMMARY

The Integrated Behavioral Health Clinician is responsible for providing evidenced based behavioral healthcare assessment and clinical services in the primary care setting of the SSHWC Medical Department. As part of an integrated behavioral health and primary care practice, the IBH Clinician provides initial patient evaluations, triage assessments, crisis intervention management, brief interventions, skills training, care coordination, and case management. The IBH Clinician works closely with behavioral health and primary care providers and participates in interdisciplinary team meetings and case conferences.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Conduct psychosocial evaluations, screenings, and triage assessments. Aide patients in dealing with psychosocial factors which affect their health and well-being and detection of high-risk patients to provide care to prevent further psychological deterioration. Use brief assessments routinely (PHQ, GAD 7, ACES, AUDIT, etc.).

2. Complete risk assessments of patients in crisis or with suicidal thoughts using evidence-based tools (such as Columbia Risk Assessment) to assist with safety and planning.

3. Develop individualized treatment plans for patients based on a psychosocial assessment which identifies: symptoms, areas of life affected by symptoms, mental health diagnosis using DSM V, medical necessity of treatment, patient centered goals and objectives, skills training and other service needs.

4. Conduct SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment) screenings requested by primary care providers to assist with identifying substance use and mental health needs and providing education, support, and appropriate treatment recommendations.

5. Consult and collaborate with primary care and behavioral health providers, providing education, support, and real-time consultation to primary care providers in the primary care setting.

6. Complete legible and legally defensible medical record entries daily and in a timely manner, using the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system. Entries include patient treatment plans, progress notes, and SBIRT’s summarizing patient subjective, objective, assessment and treatment data that facilitate continuity of care between visits as well as required documentation needs for third party healthcare payers.

7. Participate in a comprehensive quality improvement process, which includes routine auditing of medical records to ensure quality clinical care, compliance with clinic protocols, and implementation of clinic policies and procedures.

8. Provide expertise on behavioral health for SSHWC staff through in-service training, consultations, and other more informal means.

9. Develop and regularly update a comprehensive referral list of community services. Provide and/or oversee referrals to community resources. Develop and maintain relationships and good communication with related health, educational and social services agencies.

10. Advocate for patients and follow-up with both patients and providers.

11. Establish and maintain effective working relationships and provide consultations to medical providers.

12. May assist in the recruitment, selection, and training of BH program staff.

13. Communicate delays, unscheduled time off or requested time off to the SSHWC as soon as possible to assist with timely notice to patients and with scheduling.

14. Respond to EHR messages, emails, and voice mails in a timely manner.

15. Attend education programs and provide evidence of necessary education completion to upgrade skills and maintain licensing requirements.

16. Attend and participate in monthly staff, provider and other meetings as required or requested.

17. Other duties and/or special projects as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. Must possess a master’s degree from an accredited school of Social Work or other Graduate Program in Psychology, Counseling or Marriage, Family and Child Counseling.

2. Current, valid, unsuspended California License issued by the California BBS as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC).

3. Two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in Mental Health services.

4. Knowledge of professional licensing guidelines of ethics, privacy, confidentiality, and ability to treat applicable to providing behavioral health services. This includes Mandated Reporting, Duty to Warn, and Suicidal and Homicidal threats.

5. Experience managing behavioral crises, conducting psychosocial assessments, developing care plans, and providing brief therapeutic treatment.

6. Knowledge of current evidence-based practices and techniques in psychotherapeutic treatment, including brief solution focused treatment.

7. Basic knowledge of public and private health insurance, and third-party reimbursement issues.

8. Knowledge of the principles and practices of general casework, including objectives, clinical diagnosis, and appropriate documentation.

9. Experience with modern office procedures and basic computer functions such as word processing, data entry, and e-mail.

10. Post job offer: CPR/BLS certification, TB test, and annual flu shot (during flu season) are required as a condition of employment, unless a medical/religious accommodation request is provided and approved. Hepatitis B Vaccine will be offered at no cost to employees, but it is not required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working with Native American and diverse populations, and knowledge of various tribal beliefs and practices.
• Experience in preparing grant proposals.
• Knowledge of the practices and principles of specialty services in a community health center that serve a culturally and socially diverse, low-income population with complex substance use, mental health, and co-occurring medical conditions.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local statutes and regulations governing public health and welfare services.
• Familiarity with community resources and patient eligibility criteria, and the ability to plan, coordinate, and follow up on referrals.
• Knowledge of the role of social service agencies, both public and private.
• Efficient and effective use of the RPMS EHR system.
• Experience providing behavioral health services in a primary care setting

NATIVE PREFERENCE

Preference in hiring is given to either the most qualified applicant or a Native American candidate who meets the minimum qualifications. When two (2) or more Native American candidates have comparable qualifications, the following order of preference shall apply: (1) Members of Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians; (2) Spouses or domestic partners (certified through Tribal Court) of members of Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians; (3) Parents of children of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians; (4) All other documented Native Americans; (5) All other applicants in accordance with Title 25, U.S. Code, Section 472 and 473. Applicants claiming Native preference must submit verification of Indian eligibility.