Behavioral Health Substance Use Disorder Specialist

Fenway Health is seeking a passionate Behavioral Health Specialist to join our dedicated Integrated Behavioral Health team. We are seeking applicants with demonstrated experience providing culturally competent Behavioral Health care to a diverse adult population that includes LGBTQ individuals, people of color, individuals with Substance Use issues, survivors of abuse, survivors of community violence, medically complex and vulnerable individuals, young adults, and older adults.

In keeping with Fenway Health's dedication to providing care for the whole person, Behavioral Health is a fundamental part of our integrated primary care model. The Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Behavioral Health Specialist provides and coordinates support, harm-reduction strategies, counseling, advocacy, and referrals to community resource services to patients of Fenway Health diagnosed with Substance Use Disorder. This position collaborates across departments to provide staffing support for both the Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Program and clinical services at the Fenway Health syringe exchange program at the Cambridge location. This position is central in helping achieve compliance with Accountable Care organization (ACO) quality goals and measures.

As a Behavioral Health Specialist with Fenway Health, you will:

• Provide direct Behavioral Health assessments, services, and care coordination to those seeking Fenway services who have SUD concerns, with an emphaisis on short-term, evidence-based psychotherapeutic treatment.
• Provide Substance Use Disorder (SUD) services in open-access clinic, integrated primary care, and outpatient Behavioral Health settings
• Provide specialty integrated Behavioral Health clinical care with a focus on evaluating and treating SUD
• Provide teaching and consultation to medical and BH colleagues on effective interventions for treating SUD
• Embrace harm reduction and the spectrum of modalities to effectively address SUD
• Support primary care providers and Medication-Assistant Treatment prescribers in managing SUD in their patient panels
• Support patients with initiating and engaging in SUD services
• Provide group facilitation within the MAT program
• Identify high-risk psychosocial factors that impact health status; engages patients by phone and in person to monitor progress, builds therapeutic alliance, provides education, encourages treatment adherence, mitigates risk factors, reviews goals and expectations of treatment in order to stabilize functioning
• Develop and provides group therapeutic interventions
• Respond to requests from medical staff for routine and crisis intervention and provides crisis mitigation and verbal de-escalation support in partnership with clinical team
• Provide walk-in services and covers open access pager shifts in the morning, afternoon, and evening
• Develop and maintains resource listings appropriate for Fenway Health patients
• Work with Medicaid, Medicare, Welfare, Social Security, housing, educational, day care and other institutions to assist patients
• Consult with a variety of health center and community staff (Nutritionists, Home Health Aides, P.H. Nurse, and Medical staff) about specific clients and general approaches to patient treatment
• Perform related duties as required

Fenway Health offers fantastic benefits to those who quality including:

• Generous paid time off including 3+ weeks of vacation, 12 sick days, and 11 paid holidays per year
• Comprehensive and low-cost health and dental (100% employer contribution) insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield.
• Commuter benefits including pre-tax MBTA passes, Qualified Transportation Expense Reimbursement Account, and access to the MASCO shuttle network
• License fee reimbursement
• Educational opportunities through The National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center
• Free monthly CEU training opportunities
• Supervision, tuition reimbursement, in-service training, and professional development support
• Employee wellness program

• Requires a Master's Degree in Social Work or related mental health field
• LCSW licensure will be considered with relevant experience
• Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) certification or, upon hire, obtain certification
• Experience with?CBT, short-term interventions and mental health and substance abuse?assessment and evaluation
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary team
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to be an effective team member
• Flexibility, adaptability, and ability to multitask required
• Ability to work harmoniously and effectively with colleagues, patients, clients and vendors across the spectrum of diversity, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, color, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic status, national origin and immigrant status, religious or spiritual identity, disability (physical, mental, emotional and developmental), veteran status, and/or limited English proficiency.
• Willingness to contribute towards Fenway’s efforts in becoming an anti-racist organization and promoting a culture dedicated to ongoing development in service of humility, equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging, where differences are acknowledged and valued.

Preferred Qualifications:

• LICSW or equivalent independent licensure preferred
• Additional licensure as LADC-I highly desired
• Preferred experience with LGBT issues
• Preferred experience with Peer Recovery Services

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to meet the following physical requirements with or without reasonable accommodations:
• Sit at a computer station for extended periods of time
• Ability to keyboard for extended periods of time
• Ability to move around the medical care areas and see patients in non-traditional settings, such as an exam room

We offer competitive salaries, and for those who qualify, an excellent benefits package; including comprehensive medical and dental insurance plans, and a retirement plan with employer match. We also provide 11 paid holidays, paid vacation, and more.

LGBTQIA+ identified persons, Black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC), and individuals from other historically underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply.