Behavioral Health Specialist

The Behavioral Health Specialist provides short-term counseling, crisis intervention, and behavioral health assessments within an integrated primary care setting. They collaborate closely with medical providers, coordinate care with community resources, and offer education to patients, families, and staff.

The role involves documenting in electronic medical records, making appropriate referrals, and participating in care teams and quality improvement efforts. Strong organizational, communication, and clinical skills are essential, along with the ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities

• Provides short term counseling for patients with Behavioral Health needs.
• Orients patients to Behavioral Health Program.
• Clinically assesses patients for appropriateness of behavioral health services. Establishes a psychiatric diagnosis.
• Works with patients (and Primary Care Provider, if indicated) to establish and obtain treatment goals. Monitors follow-up.
• Provides crisis intervention services to patients experiencing acute emotional distress.
• Contacts may be face to face or by phone.
• Contacts may include patients who are experiencing chronic pain/addiction issues.
• Consults with medical providers and other professionals on patient treatment and/or services.
• Communication with primary care providers, external psychiatrists, community therapists, community mental health centers, treatment facilities or other community resources.
• Provides behavioral health education.
• Instructs patients and families on management of behavioral health issues.
• Provides patients and families with educational materials for behavioral health issues that are both paper and web based.
• Educates staff on behavioral health issues.
• Provides referral of patients
• Identifies patient needs that may require referral to outside community services.
• May refer patient to primary care provider for intervention and/or follow-up.
• Assists in referral of patients to outside agencies, community therapists, psychiatrists and/or community resources.
• Meets regularly with administrative staff, nursing and medical providers to identify, assess and support patient behavioral health needs.
• Completes all EMR and other documentation as required; daily, weekly and monthly.
• Records results of assessment and treatment goals through a progress note using behavioral health templates.
• Uses messaging system/review bins for provider and/or nursing communications.
• Documents patient contacts through EMR notes.

The above statements are intended to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those stated in this description.

Position Qualifications

Education

• Master’s Degree Social Work preferred, but will consider Master’s in a related, license eligible field.
• Licensure as a licensed mental health provider, or ability to obtain licensure is required.

Experience

• At least one year of experience actively working with patients in the field.
• Prior counseling experience, knowledge of DSM V-5.0 and knowledge of primary care behavioral health needs preferred.
• Must provide continued proof of Professional Development as required by State professional licensure board.

Knowledge and Ability

• Ability to provide triage, assessment crisis management and short term counseling interventions in an integrated primary care/behavioral health model.
• Must maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Strong organizational skills are essential, as well as the ability to multi-task, respond to shifting priorities, and to work well under pressure while meeting all required deadlines.
• Ability to work independently while demonstrating the skill to work positively within the framework of a team.
• Must have proficiency in computer skills including, but not limited to email functions, spreadsheets, document processing and Electronic Medical Records.

Typical Physical Demands

• Requires prolonged sitting, some bending, stooping and stretching.
• Requires eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, photocopier, telephone, calculator and other office equipment.
• Requires normal range of hearing and eyesight to record, prepare, and communicate appropriately.
• May require occasional lifting up to 25 pounds.