Behavioral Health Consultant- Lsw, Lpc

Primary Function:

The Behavioral Health Consultant (BHC) is a member of the care team providing care for a diverse patient population seeking or receiving care within various clinical sub-specialties. The BHC improves the identification, treatment, and management of psychosocial and behavioral challenges and medical conditions by providing targeted, immediate, brief intervention for various Behavioral Health needs, including but not limited to: opioid warm hand-off to OP centers, interacting and engagement in trauma prevention, management of programs related to food-insecurities and other social services programs that further patient/family wellness. The BHC is expected to demonstrate competency in the validated and evidence-based methods of assessment and intervention that align with the principles of trauma-informed care and brief treatment to promote recovery and resilience. The BHC is also required to demonstrate a proactive, team-oriented work ethic, whereby they collaborate in real-time with medical providers (physician, APP, nurses) as well as support service providers, (social work, pharmacy, and nutrition). Responsibilities include:

• Screening patients for mental health and substance use disorders using evidence-based screening tools;
• Providing comprehensive assessment and diagnosis of Behavioral Health disorders
• Evaluating crisis situations and applying appropriate interventions;
• Providing targeted, immediate, brief intervention for various Behavioral Health needs, including but not limited to opioid warm hand-off to OP centers, interacting and engagement in trauma prevention, management of programs related to food-insecurities and other social services programs that further patient/family wellness.
• Addressing mental or emotional barriers to plan of care adherence;
• Employing problem-solving techniques to uncover a patient’s internal motivation and support them in overcoming identified barriers and achieving identified goals;
• Assisting patients with their community functioning by helping with public benefits, rehabilitation, social support, housing, and transportation needs;
• Offering consultation to medical providers and social work staff;
• Developing and maintaining quality metrics, in collaboration with Emergency Medicine (EM) and organizational leadership.
• Participating in quality improvement activities;
• Assisting the primary or specialty care team in developing care management processes, such as the use of guidelines, disease management techniques, case management and patient education to improve self-management of chronic disease;
• Coordinating professional development opportunities for staff to learn more about Behavioral Health methods;
• Completing patient records and documentation in the prescribed format and communicating patient progress to their primary care providers;
• Tracking patient follow-up and clinical outcomes using a registry. Documenting in-person and telephone encounters in the registry and using the system to identify and re-engage patients.
• Collection of and/or supervises all data collection provided to the internal organization, government, or other agencies
• Facilitates completion of CY-47 or Act 70 reporting (Child Abuse/Elder Abuse) in cooperation with provider and nursing staff.

Education/Training/Experience: (indicate if required or preferred)

• A Master’s degree in Social Work (required)
• A minimum of two (2) years’ experience in an outpatient Behavioral Health treatment setting, Emergency Department, or substance abuse center (required)

Previous experience in an integrated care setting (preferred)

Licenses/Certifications: (indicate if required or preferred)

• Current Pennsylvania license in Clinical Social Work (LCSW) preferred
• Current Pennsylvania license in Social Work (LSW) required

The ideal candidate will demonstrate flexibility and creativity, clinical expertise, initiative, leadership, and communication skills necessary to collaborate with a medical team in a fast-paced clinical setting.

LSW but with clinical license - PREFFERED

This includes LPC psychology master's graduates with 2-3 years experience.