Bilingual Behavioral Health Specialist - East Side Clinic

As a Behavioral Health Specialist at PHC, you will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of healthcare providers and care team support staff to address the mental and behavioral health needs of patients in a primary care clinic setting. You will provide assessment and behavioral interventions, connects patients with resources, and makes referrals when necessary. In this position, you may provide services through in-person and telehealth visits.

This position is located at East Side Clinic in Des Moines and typically works 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday 8 AM - 5 PM or 9 AM - 6 PM.

Our team members are occasionally needed to cover other shifts or to work at other PHC clinics in Ames, Des Moines, and Marshalltown. Mileage reimbursement and/or an out of town travel bonus may apply.

What You Will Do

1. Screens and assesses patients for mental health and behavioral health needs.

2. Provides comprehensive care management to at risk patients.

3. Makes referrals for community mental health resources as appropriate and coordinates care. Collaborates with clinic staff to provide patients with referrals for appropriate specialty.

4. Provides behavioral health care in accordance with established standards, regulations, and policies and procedures of PHC. Collaborates with PHC healthcare and psychiatric providers, ensuring the delivery of comprehensive clinical services to primary care patients, targeting interventions to improve patient functioning, behavior and clinical outcomes.

5. Accepts hand-offs from healthcare providers. Responds to the referring provider’s concern or question, providing timely, focused feedback.

6. Provides access to patients by engaging in flow of clinic/setting and seeking referrals. Participates in pre-visit planning and care team huddles to identify high risk patients and coordinate appropriate care.

7. Maintains current and accurate documentation of services provided in accordance with standards set by PHC and grant requirements. Provides maintenance of various management databases.

8. Follows and ensures compliance with all regulatory requirements including, but not limited to, risk management, health records/peer review, accreditation requirements and federal, state, and local regulations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, counseling, mental health, social work, human services or related field.

• Fluency in spoken English and Spanish, with the ability to communicate clearly and accurately in both languages.

• Must be obtained within 90 days of employment:

• Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers.

• Mandatory Reporter Training for Child Abuse and Dependent Adult Abuse recognized by the State of Iowa.

Required Skills

• Excellent collaboration skills.

• Good listening skills.

• Strong problem-solving skills with analytical and critical thinking capability.

• Strong customer service skills.

• Organization, prioritization, and time management skills.

• Detail orientation with a high degree of accuracy.

• Flexible and adaptive with ability to manage stress and maintain resilience.

• Demonstrates professionalism, interacts with others calmly and empathically, and de-escalates difficult situations.

• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to work with diverse populations.

• Basic computer proficiency, including use of email, word processing and spreadsheet applications, and electronic health records.

Preferred Qualifications & Skills

• Experience in a clinic, community health center, working with underserved populations, or providing counseling.

• Experience working with resources related to domestic violence, mental health, chemical dependency, homelessness, or crisis intervention.

We Take Care of Our People

Your related experience and skills determine your base pay. The typical hiring range for this position is $min - mid per hour/annually. Candidates with extensive related experience may be considered for a higher pay rate up to the pay range maximum. In addition to base pay, PHC offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Generous PTO accrual

• Eight paid holidays

• License/certification fee reimbursement*

• Paid time off for continuing education & continuing education reimbursement*

• Tuition reimbursement program

• 401k with company match

• Medical, dental, vision

• Life & disability insurance

• Flexible spending & health savings accounts

• Supplemental accident & critical illness insurance

• Discounted pet insurance

• PHC Pride rewards program

Visit phciowa.org for a summary of PHC’s benefits.

*Applies to positions requiring clinical licensure or certification.

Grow Your Career with PHC

We take pride in offering development and growth opportunities to our team. Some of our training opportunities include Emerging Leaders, Dental Assitant Trainee Program, & Medical Assistant Trainee Program. In the last year, over 30% of our open positions were filled through promotions or transfers.

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Monday - Friday 8 AM - 5 PM

40 Hours Per Week