Behavioral Health Specialist - Center Line

The Behavioral Health Specialist is a member of the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) responsible for performing assessment and treatment activities for PACE Southeast Michigan participants presenting with behavioral health related issues and diagnoses.

Specific Duties and Functions

Provides behavioral health services to PACE Southeast Michigan participants, including comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment, urgent consultations and crisis intervention, individual and group psychotherapy, substance use disorder treatment, and psychiatric hospitalizations.

• Follows up on recommendations, interventions, and treatment plans to ensure adherence and favorable outcomes.
• Educates and counsels participants on physiological and psychosocial correlates of health.
• Produces timely, complete, and accurate electronic health record documentation for participants.

Assures continuous and ongoing quality, accessibility, and safety of behavioral health services to participants.

Collaborates with and provides consultation services to Primary Care Providers and serves as a liaison between Primary Care and Psychiatry.

Actively collaborates with the IDT in treatment planning and delivery of care, including assisting with clarifying complex diagnostic presentations.

Serves as a liaison, and rounds as appropriate, during psychiatric hospitalizations and substance use disorder treatment, as necessary.

Provides behavioral health expertise and case consultation, individual and team supervision, and in-service trainings.

Plans and provides staff development on topics related to behavioral health related issues including but not limited to: diagnosis, collaborative treatment models including non-pharmacologic approaches to care, and ethical and legal aspects of behavioral health services.

Assists with ongoing improvement of clinical policies and guidelines for the provision of behavioral health services to PACE Southeast Michigan participants.

• Participates in committees and workgroups, as assigned by the Director.
• Assists with other important functions, as time permits, including clinical research, outreach, and clinical training.
• Performs other related duties, as assigned by the Director.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Master’s Social Worker from an accredited school of social work.

Licensed to practice in the State of Michigan. Limited License may be considered depending on experience and number of supervised hours.

Demonstrated knowledge of and experience working in an integrated, Primary Care Behavioral Health (PCBH) model.

Extensive experience working with people with mental illness, serious mental illness, co-occurring substance use disorders, and primary health care problems.

Expertise in diagnostic criteria from the DSM-5 and advanced concepts, principles and practices of psychological practices, treatments, and techniques with an older adult population.

Demonstrated knowledge and skill in evaluating, planning, implementing, and monitoring patient-centered approaches to care.

• Knowledge of and compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
• Cultural competence and an ability to care for a diverse population.
• Ability to learn and use electronic health record system.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint.
• Positive, flexible, and solution-focused attitude with ability to collaborate effectively in a team setting.