Behavioral Health Consultant

Position Summary

Under the direct supervision of the Director of Behavioral Health Services, the Behavioral Health Consultant is responsible for patient care and a variety of clinical tasks. As part of the primary care treatment team, the Behavioral Health Consultant identifies, triages, and assists in the management of patients with medical and behavioral health problems within the primary care setting. In addition, the Behavioral Health Consultant provides skill training through psycho-education and patient education strategies, and develops specific behavioral change plans for patients. The Behavioral Health Consultant provides behavioral health protocols for target populations, developed in collaboration with primary care providers and other clinic staff, and partners with senior Behavioral Health Consultants.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

• Adhere to the population-based, consultative role of the primary care behavioral health model.
• Assess the clinical (i.e., behavioral and mental health) status of patients referred by primary care providers through brief consultative contacts.
• Assist primary health care providers in assessing mental health concerns and psychosocial problems.
• Work with the primary care team to monitor and manage patients with chronic emotional and/or health problems efficiently and effectively.
• Work with the primary care provider to refer cases to specialty mental health providers as appropriate.
• Assist in the detection of “at risk” patients and the development of plans to prevent further psychological or physical deterioration.
• Assist in preventing relapse or morbidity in conditions that tend to recur over time.
• Evaluate patient care plans with the primary care team.
• Teach patients, families, and care staff prevention and treatment enhancement techniques through psychoeducation and other strategies.
• Work in collaboration with patients, families, and providers to develop effective behavioral change strategies to address current behavioral health issues and maximize health.
• Complete documentation as part of patient care in an efficient and timely manner.
• Coordinate care with outside facilities and agencies as needed.
• Complete care management phone calls per protocol.
• Attend and participate in meetings and Quality Improvement activities as required. Respond to patient or co-worker complaints and work toward a positive resolution of any dispute.
• Work effectively on a team and communicate respectfully with patients and all staff based on shared goals and mutual respect. This includes demonstrating adaptability to continuous efforts to improve patient care and willingness to be an active care team member engaged in ongoing process and quality improvement projects within the framework of the Patient-Centered Medical Home.
• Honor patients’ right to privacy and confidentiality. Adhere to strict patient, customer, and business confidentiality standards.

Additional Duties:

• Monitor the site’s Behavioral Health consultation program, identifying problems related to patient services and making recommendations for improvement.
• Develop an area of leadership within the Behavioral Health Consultation team in conjunction with the Primary Care/Family Services team.
• Serve as supervisor for Behavioral Health students, providing on-site supervision and evaluations as needed.
• Serve as a member of site committees as requested.
• Participate in evaluation of peers and support staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification: Social Worker, Clinical license issued by the State of Wisconsin, OR Marriage and Family Therapist license issued by the State of Wisconsin, OR Professional Counselor license issued by the State of Wisconsin.
• Education: Master’s Degree in Social Work, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Marriage & Family Counseling, or related field from an accredited program, plus 3,000 hours post-Master’s experience.

Experience:

• Requires 2 years post-licensure experience; OR licensed providers with 2 years of supervised experience working with children and families while obtaining 3,000 hours may be considered in lieu of the 2 years post-licensure requirement.
• Clinical experience working with children, adolescents, and families of diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Outreach Community Health Centers, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer