Behavioral Health Consultant

I. Purpose of Position

Under the direct supervision of the Chief Medical Officer, the Behavioral Health Consultant is responsible for patient care and a variety of clinical tasks. The Behavioral Health Consultant, as part of the primary care treatment team, identifies, triages, and assists in management of patients with medical and behavioral health problems within the primary care setting. In addition, the Behavioral Health Consultant will provide skill training through psycho-education, patient education strategies, and will develop specific behavioral change plans for patients. The Behavioral Health Consultant will provide behavioral health protocols for target populations, developed in collaboration with primary care providers and other clinic staff. This role reflects this organization’s first hire for a new primary care behavioral health model and so comes with potential for leadership development and opportunities with time.

II. Essential Job Functions/Duties

Adhere to the population-based, consultative role of the primary care behavioral health model
Adhere to the principle of the primary care provider as the “first customer” of the behavioral health consultation service
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.
Assist the primary care team in adhering to and making decision related to evidence-based psychotropic medication algorithms
Work with primary care team to monitor and manage patients with chronic emotional and/or health problems efficiently and effectively.
Work with primary care provider to refer cases to specialty mental health providers as appropriate.
Assist in the detection of “at risk” patients and 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 primary care team.
Teach patients, families, and care staff prevention and treatment enhancement techniques through psycho-deducation 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 paperwork as part of patient care in an efficient and timely manner.
Assist in coordination of 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.
Demonstrate 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.

III. Additional Job Functions/Duties

Monitor the site’s behavioral health 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 Chief Medical Officer (e.g., quality improvement, consulting psychiatry, specialty populations, pediatrics).
Serve as supervisor for Behavioral Health students, providing on-site supervision and evaluations as needed.
Participate in research that facilitates education in the community about CCHC and the Behavioral Health Consultation team, and quality improvement of the Behavioral Health Consultation team. This can be accomplished via presentations at scholarly conferences, consultation with other agencies in town, or developing quality improvement projects.
Serve as a member of site committees as requested.
Participate in evaluation of peers and support staff.
Perform other duties as assigned.

IV. Education, Experience and Credentialing

Required Qualifications:

Degree and license in Clinical Psychology or Social Work (LCSW)
Current North Carolina licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker or Licensed Clinical Psychologist, if not intern status.

Preferred Qualifications:

Prior work experience as a Clinical Psychologist
Prior work with diverse patient population
Bilingual in Spanish and English
Prior work with primary care behavioral health model
Prior work in federally qualified health center or other safety net context

VI. Personal Qualifications

Enthusiasm for building a primary care behavioral health model at CCHC and contributing to a pilot of the model
Shared passion for CCHC mission of providing healthcare to a medically undeserved community and willingness to put patient best interests first
Excellent working knowledge of behavioral medicine and evidence-based treatments for medical and mental health conditions.
Ability to make quick and accurate clinical assessments of mental and behavioral health conditions.
High comfort in working with primary care medical providers using a consultative style.
Ability to work through brief patient contacts, including via telephone and teleconferencing.
Good knowledge of psycho-pharmacology.
Ability to design and implement clinical pathways and protocols for treatment of selected mental and behavioral conditions.
Ability to train and teach effective behavioral health interventions and the primary behavioral health model to medical practitioners and other behavioral health providers.
Ability to serve as supervisor to for trainees of various levels of experience and backgrounds (i.e., psychology, social work, MFT)
Ability to work effectively as a team, interfacing with patients, primary care providers, consulting psychiatrist and mental health specialists, as well as with administrative and support staff.
Ability to exercise balance judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions, and to handle difficult or confrontational situations in a calm, consistent, and equitable manner.
Ability to effectively represent CCHC’s interests in the community and maintain effective working relationships among co-workers, public, private, and professional groups.
Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.

Company Description
Charlotte Community Health Clinic offers high-quality medical, dental, and behavioral health services for children and adults. We work towards a healthy community where all individuals, regardless of ability to pay, have access to comprehensive health care.

Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Retirement Plan
Paid Time Off (PTO)