Behavioral Health Consultant (BHC)/Infant Mental Health (IMH) Therapist

• Job Location: Livonia Clinic - Livonia, MI
• Education Level: Graduate Degree
• Salary Range: Undisclosed
• Job Shift: Day

Position Summary

The Behavioral Health Consultant (BHC)/Infant Mental Health Therapist is an integrated member of the OB/GYN health care team who provides behavioral health and Infant Mental Health expertise to patients, families, and medical providers throughout the perinatal period.

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND / OR EXPERIENCE: Master’s degree in social work, counseling, psychology, marriage and family therapy, or another related behavioral health/human services field from an accredited institution.

Current registration, licensure, or eligibility for appropriate professional licensure as a social worker, professional counselor, psychologist, marriage and family therapist, or other qualified behavioral health professional in the State of Michigan, as applicable to the position.

Infant Mental Health endorsement, certification, or other agency-approved Infant Mental Health credential required upon hire or within the timeframe established by Starfish Family Services.

Clinical experience providing behavioral health, Infant Mental Health, perinatal mental health, family-centered, or related services preferred. Experience working with pregnant and postpartum individuals, parents, infants, and families strongly preferred.

Experience working within an integrated health care, primary care, OB/GYN, pediatric, or other interdisciplinary medical setting preferred. Experience providing brief, focused, evidence-informed behavioral health interventions preferred.

Experience conducting behavioral health screening, assessment, treatment planning, care coordination, and referral services. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED: Knowledge of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) and other behavioral health concerns that may occur during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Knowledge and ability to administer, interpret, and respond appropriately to standardized behavioral health and perinatal mental health screening tools within the scope of professional practice and agency protocols.

Knowledge of Infant Mental Health principles, infant and early childhood development, attachment, bonding, early relational health, and the importance of the parent-infant relationship.

Ability to assess and support parent-infant attachment and bonding, responsive caregiving, parental reflective capacity, and the social-emotional needs of infants and families.

Knowledge of adult behavioral health, including depression, anxiety, trauma-related symptoms, substance use concerns, and other conditions that may affect pregnancy, parenting, relationships, and family functioning.

Knowledge of trauma, toxic stress, adverse childhood experiences, interpersonal violence, social determinants of health, and their potential effects on pregnancy, parenting, infant development, and family wellness.

Competence in conducting behavioral health and psychosocial assessments, identifying strengths and needs, evaluating risk and protective factors, and developing appropriate intervention and referral plans.

Demonstrated skill in providing brief behavioral health interventions appropriate to an integrated medical setting.

Ability to provide psychoeducation, anticipatory guidance, motivational support, behavioral strategies, emotional regulation interventions, and other focused behavioral health services within the scope of practice.

Ability to recognize behavioral health concerns requiring additional assessment, specialty mental health treatment, crisis intervention, or a higher level of care and to facilitate appropriate referrals.

Knowledge of crisis assessment and intervention, including appropriate response to concerns related to patient safety, in accordance with professional standards and agency protocols.

Demonstrated ability to function as a behavioral health and Infant Mental Health consultant to medical providers and other members of an interdisciplinary health care team.

Ability to communicate behavioral health and family mental health information to medical providers clearly, concisely, and in a manner that supports collaborative treatment planning and coordinated care.

Ability to work collaboratively with physicians, nurses, medical assistants, behavioral health professionals, community providers, and other members of the care team.

Knowledge of community-based mental health, Infant Mental Health, social service, parenting, substance use, domestic violence, basic-needs, and other family-support resources.

Ability to connect patients and families with appropriate mental health and community resources and conduct follow-up to assess whether successful linkage occurred. Ability to identify and address barriers to engagement in behavioral health and community-based services.

Ability to provide culturally responsive, trauma-responsive, relationship-based, family-centered, and respectful care to individuals and families from diverse backgrounds. Ability to provide individual, parent-infant, family, and group interventions when clinically appropriate and within the scope of the program.

Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced medical environment and provide timely consultation and intervention during or in coordination with medical visits. Ability to make sound clinical decisions independently while recognizing when consultation, supervision, or additional clinical support is indicated.

Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, medical providers, community partners, supervisors, and colleagues.

Ability to maintain timely, accurate, and clinically appropriate documentation in accordance with agency, payer, regulatory, and integrated-care requirements.

Knowledge of confidentiality, informed consent, professional ethics, and applicable requirements related to sharing and coordinating behavioral health information within an integrated health care setting. Ability to meet established productivity, documentation, training, and program expectations.

Commitment to ongoing professional development in perinatal mental health, Infant Mental Health, integrated behavioral health, trauma-responsive practice, and other areas relevant to the position.

Duties and Responsibilities

Screen for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) and other behavioral health concerns using standardized screening tools and clinical assessment, as appropriate. Conduct behavioral health and psychosocial assessments to identify patient strengths, needs, risk factors, protective factors, and barriers to care.

Provide consultation to patients and medical providers regarding screening and assessment results, behavioral health concerns, and recommended next steps.

Provide brief behavioral health interventions within the medical setting using evidence-informed, trauma-responsive, culturally responsive, and relationship-based approaches appropriate for integrated care.

Provide psychoeducation, anticipatory guidance, and supportive interventions related to perinatal mental health, stress, trauma, emotional regulation, parenting, infant development, and family well-being.

Support parent-infant attachment and bonding by promoting responsive caregiving, parental reflective capacity, understanding of infant cues, and healthy early relational development.

Identify concerns related to the developing parent-infant relationship and provide Infant Mental Health-informed interventions, consultation, or referral when additional support is indicated.

Address patient concerns related to pregnancy, postpartum adjustment, parenting, family relationships, behavioral health, and psychosocial factors affecting health and well-being.

Consult and collaborate with OB/GYN physicians, nurses, medical assistants, and other members of the health care team regarding infant and family mental health needs, behavioral health concerns, treatment planning, safety considerations, and appropriate levels of care.

Participate in interdisciplinary care planning and promote communication and coordination among behavioral health, medical, Infant Mental Health, and community-based providers.

Connect patients and families to appropriate mental health and community resources, including outpatient behavioral health services, Infant Mental Health services, psychiatry, community mental health, substance use treatment, domestic violence resources, basic-needs supports, parenting resources, and other community-based services.

Coordinate referrals and conduct follow-up to determine whether patients successfully connected with recommended services and identify and address barriers to engagement.

Assess and respond appropriately to behavioral health and safety concerns, including concerns requiring crisis intervention or referral to a higher level of care, in accordance with agency policies and clinical protocols.

Promote trauma-responsive care by recognizing the potential impact of trauma, toxic stress, adverse childhood experiences, interpersonal violence, and other psychosocial stressors on pregnancy, parenting, family functioning, and health outcomes. Provide outpatient Infan