Lead Behavioral Health Clinician

At Memorial Hermann, we pursue a common goal of delivering high quality, efficient care while creating exceptional experiences for every member of our community. When we say every member of our community, that includes our employees. We know that when our employees feel cared for, heard and valued, they are inspired to create moments that exceed expectations, while prioritizing safety, compassion, personalization and efficiency. If you want to advance your career and contribute to our vision of creating healthier communities, now and for generations to come, we want you to be a part of our team.

Job Summary

Behavioral Health Services (BHS) is made up of a multidisciplinary team of Psychiatrists, Mental Health Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Mental Health Professionals, Medical Assistants, and Administrative Staff. These professionals work together to provide a gold standard of care regarding effective treatment to support Memorial Hermann patients in an effort to connect the patient to the most appropriate level of care. Our goal is to increase access to behavioral health treatment services, promote better health outcomes for patients with chronic or urgent mental health treatment needs by utilizing empirically validated interventions, decrease unnecessary ER visits, and decrease incarcerations.

This role will function as the lead clinician by coordinating the day to day functioning of the BHS Case Management Team. Responsibilities include collaborating with Behavioral Health Services leadership, the hospital treatment team, patients & their families to maintain focus on safety and high levels of customer service. Typically reports into the Director of Behavioral Health.

The Lead Behavioral Health Clinician will serve as the liaison between the behavioral health team, courts, law enforcement and other community partners to ensure timely and accurate coordination of involuntary admissions and court-related requirements.

Shift: Thur-Sat 7a-7p, every other Sunday 7a-3p

Job Description

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:  Masters Degree in Social Work and licensure as a clinician; or Master’s degree in counseling or related field

Licenses/Certifications:

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW),or 

• License Clinical Social Worker-Supervisor (LCSW-S), or

• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), or

• Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor (LPC-S),or

• Licensed Marriage Family Therapist (LMFT)

Experience / Knowledge / Skills:

• Six (6) years psychiatric/healthcare field experience preferred, Internships considered.

• Ability to interpret internal and external business and clinical challenges and recommend best practices to improve Behavioral Health services throughput and processes.

• Demonstrates best practices in coordinating front-line clinical operations and provides guidance to clinicians.

• Strong oral/written communication and interpersonal skills to enhance & maintain positive relations with senior management, physicians, outside agencies/organizations, and staff across all disciplines.

• Autonomy in clinical practice and administrative duties.

• Knowledge of interviewing, assessment, organizational and problem solving skills.

• Strong analytical and PC skills. 

• Demonstrate the ability to connect the healthcare teams, patients, and families with necessary services, both inside and outside the MHHS network. 

• Maintain clinician annual core competencies in: HIPAA/Privacy, Cultural Competence, Information Security Awareness, Domestic Violence, Levels of Care, Medications, Substance Use, DSM, Suicide/Homicide Assessments, and Psychiatric Emergencies.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Responsible for coordinating the day to day functioning of the Behavioral Health Team in the following ways:

• Review Secure Report for hospital enrollments.

• Assign new referrals to Hospital Base Clinicians, Case Managers, and Providers.

• Track patients progress through the transitions of care, both acute and ambulatory.

• Administer status updates to the team regularly.

• Advise/assist clinicians in the field, as needed.

• Maintain data within BHS.

• Demonstrate consistent professionalism and an ability to work effectively & efficiently in a fast paced, stressful environment.

• Provide training and education as needed to the Behavioral Health team regarding process updates.

• Collaborates with BHS leadership, the hospital treatment team, patients & their families, and outside agencies/facilities, as indicated, to maintain focus on safety and high levels of customer service.

• Participate in patient care as dictated by volumes, including assisting in working on managing a small caseload, completing bedside counseling encounters, and/or performing BHS consults.

• Ability to apply theory into the practice by identifying appropriate resources on assigned cases, working collaboratively with patients, families, multi-disciplinary teams and community agencies, and seek consultation/supervision from clinical leaders and providers on complex psychiatric and/or medical cases.

• Ensures safe care to patients, staff and visitors; adheres to all Memorial Hermann policies, procedures, and standards within budgetary specifications including time management, supply management, productivity and quality of service.

• Promotes individual professional growth and development by meeting requirements for mandatory/continuing education and skills competency; supports department-based goals which contribute to the success of the organization; serves as a resource to less experienced staff.

• Demonstrates commitment to caring for every member of our community by creating compassionate and personalized experiences. Models Memorial Hermann’s service standards of providing safe, caring, personalized and efficient experiences to patients and our workforce.

• Other duties as assigned.