Description

ORGANIZATION

The mission of Ravenswood Family Health Network (RFHN) is to improve the health of the community by providing culturally sensitive, integrated primary and preventative health care to all, regardless of ability to pay or immigration status, and collaborating with community partners to address the social determinants of health.

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the general direction of the Senior Operations Manager of Patient Advocacy & Integrated Behavioral Health, the Behavioral Health Counselor is an essential member of our patient and family centered care team. The purpose of this position is to work within an integrated system of care between primary care and mental health and provide coaching, consultation, assessment, time-limited behavioral intervention, linkage to community resources, and assistance in navigating the systems of care for our patients.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To be performed in accordance with RFHN Policies and Procedures

Clinical Duties (60%)

1. Provides a range of behavioral interventions, including but not limited to, crisis intervention and supportive counseling, identification of present problem, performing triage services, skills building, supportive sessions, psychosocial assessments, case management, education for different behavioral issues, behavioral health screens, and follow-up sessions for patients as needed.
2. Provides face-to-face follow-up with patients and providers as needed.
3. Provides interventions from a strength-based and an empowerment perspective.
4. Provides clinical warm hand-offs as needed for the different medical providers and staff.
5. Works closely with medical providers and care teams to intervene with patients needing immediate consultation.
6. Develops a collaborative relationship with primary care providers.
7. Screens referrals to connect, reconnect, and/or bridge patients to appropriate community services.
8. Performs warm hand-offs (triage) from providers into IBHS, or IBHS into other clinic departments as needed, to educate and orient new patients to organization and program.
9. Provides collaborative case management including: contact with other mental health providers, medical practitioners, school personnel, social services; makes phone calls to patients providing them with appropriate referral, follow up, or information, ensures patient consent forms are complete, and monitors treatment goals.

Administrative Duties (30%)

1. Performs administrative tasks related to the job, including responding to referrals, updating community resource list, creating reports, and other routine tasks.
2. Participates in care team huddles and weekly clinical team meetings.
3. Participates in clinical supervision meetings.
4. Completes all required documentation per agency policy.
5. Coordinates and supports implementation of patient care plan in collaboration with interdisciplinary team members as needed.
6. Utilizes motivational interviewing skills in interactions with patients and staff.
7. Facilitates psychoeducational support groups/classes as needed.
8. Advocates for patients and families in pursuit of improved wellbeing.
9. Refers patients to community resources and county mental health services as appropriate.
10. Educates patients, families, staff, and the community about psychosocial needs.
11. Provides support and gathers information for patients and staff regarding legal issues, including custody, guardianship, consent, conservatorship, sensitive services for teens, and Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care; consults with Compliance Officer and Risk Management department when indicated.
12. Documents all patient interactions into the Electronic Health Record according to organizational policies.
13. Attends department, health center, and community in-services related to field of practice and organizational needs.
14. Participates in quality improvement and assurance activities as needed.
15. Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor.

General Agency Duties (10%)

1. Fosters an environment that promotes trust and cooperation among patients and staff; maintains strictest confidentiality concerning all patient and employee information.
2. Promotes and exemplifies in action, the mission, goals, policies, procedures and principles of RFHN to patients and clinic staff.
3. Participates in department and organizational quality assurance activities and serves on ad hoc committees as requested.
4. Attends RFHN staff retreats and staff meetings as requested by supervisor.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

• Up to date with COVID-19 vaccines per current CDC guidelines.
• Bachelor of Arts degree required from an accredited university with a concentration in the social sciences - Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Social Welfare and/or Public Health.
• At least two years of work experience as a counselor, intake worker, or triage for mental health services, or similar experience working with patients in a community health care setting or specialty mental health clinic required.
• Enjoys connecting and interacting with patients via zoom, telephone, and face-to-face.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing in a professional manner.
• Bilingual English/Spanish proficiency required.
• Ability to take initiative and to exercise independent and sensible judgment; demonstrates clinical decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work respectfully and effectively with a culturally diverse clinic staff and patients.
• Ability to collaborate and work effectively with the management team, patients, the public, community members and external agencies.
• Computer literacy required; familiarity with the use of Microsoft Windows programs.
• Skilled in motivational interviewing preferred.
• Must be service oriented and able to quickly build relationships with patients and staff.

The salary range for this position is $72,800 to $83,200 annually. However, the final base salary will be determined upon a number of individualized factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, education and certification levels, and departmental budget. We also consider internal equity with our current employees when making final offers.

Ravenswood Family Health Network is an equal opportunity employer.