What are the responsibilities and job description for the Qualified Professional position at Southeastern Integrated Care?
Summary:
The Qualified Professional – Behavioral Health Urgent Care (BHUC) is responsible for providing direct and indirect interventions under supervision in a Tier IV BHUC setting, supporting triage, crisis assessments, interventions, and disposition planning for individuals aged 2 experiencing MH/SUD/I/DD crises. This role participates in Person-Centered Plans (PCPs) and ensures urgent/emergent needs are addressed as an alternative to ED. The Qualified Professional supports the mission and vision of Southeastern Integrated Care.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Assists in triage within 15 minutes of arrival, determining urgency (routine referrals out; urgent/emergent eligible) and gathering releases for supports/providers.
- Participates in crisis/risk assessments within 2 hours, addressing presenting problems, risks, biopsychosocial info, mental status exams, and level of care (e.g., ASAM).
- Coordinates activities within the PCP, including interventions like de-escalation, psychoeducation, and modifiable risk factor planning.
- Provides case management: links to services/referrals, schedules community resources, assists with housing/transportation/medication, and coordinates discharge planning (e.g., aftercare instructions, follow-up calls within 5 days).
- Supports IVC first evaluations, inclusion of family/natural supports (with consent), and observation status (Tier IV only, up to 23:59 hours).
- Demonstrates population-specific knowledge (MH/DD/SAS) and trains staff on individual needs.
- Participates in 24/7 on-call first responder system; coordinates resources per consumer needs/PCP.
- Assists with NCTOPPs, PCPs/ITRs, Clinical Monthly Summaries, Discharge Summaries, and Aggregate Reports per LME/MCO timelines.
- Completes Intake Packets, documents billable encounters in EMR within 24 hours, and maintains records/reporting incidents within 24 hours.
- Ensures confidentiality (HIPAA), protects rights/privacy/PHI, and represent the company positively.
- Participates in required trainings per service line/clinical coverage policy.
- Other duties as assigned, including supporting 75% full assessments and 100% community discharge follow-ups.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
This position can oversee paraprofessionals and peer support staff.
Qualifications:
Education/Experience
- Bachelor's in Human Services with 2 years full-time MH/DD/SAS experience, OR Bachelor's non-Human Services with 4 years, OR RN with 4 years MH/DD/SAS, OR Master's in Human Services with 1 year post-graduate MH/DD/SAS experience.
- Required Skills/Abilities: Strict confidentiality, effective communication/documentation, positive attitude, professionalism, office/computer skills, independence/teamwork, flexibility, prioritization, advocacy/negotiation, commitment/competence/adaptability. Must meet 10A NCAC 27G.0104.
- Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Valid NC driver's license with insurance; maintain current license/certification if applicable.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The work is typically performed in an office environment, with a moderate noise level, with potential exposure to crisis.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; talk and hear; and taste and smell. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to sit and climb or balance. The employee must be able to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Must be able to drive and operate a personal vehicle safely and adhere to all applicable state and traffic laws.