Behavioral Health Consultant

Job Description:

Job Summary:

The Spectrum Health Services (SHS), BHC acts as an advocate and helps patients gain access to resources while confronting issues, such as mental illness, addiction, and abuse. He/she shall have primary responsibility for coordinating all psychosocial community services under the general direction of the Behavioral Health Manager. In accordance with policies, procedures and protocols established by SHS standards of practice and licensing and certificate and other regulatory agencies requirements.

Responsible for implementing community educational programs, assessing problems and determining appropriate types and methods of treatment, and implementing intervention methodologies; acts as Program Consultant to staff members with or without professional training; functions in such areas as counseling, protective services, and family services. Emphasis is on an interdisciplinary team approach, recovery oriented and strength based methods in providing comprehensive care to clients and their families.

Essential Functions:

• Provide professional expertise and consultation to Primary Care Providers and the care team within a population based care framework.
• Work collaboratively across disciplines and administrative functions within the organization and the surrounding community to identify and help manage "at risk" "chronically ill," and "frequent attenders."
• Perform strengths-based assessment and brief behavioral treatment for a wide range of psychological and substance abuse disorders. Refer to specialty clinics as appropriate.
• Develop proficiency in fundamental medical terminology and education as it relates to chronic illness e.g. diabetes, hypertension, COPD/asthma, pain disorders
• Work in a "readiness to change" (Stages of Change) model versus a long term therapeutic model of care.
• Apply knowledge of and experience with a broad repertoire of psychotherapeutic skills from a variety of theoretical perspectives (e.g. Motivational Interviewing, Solutions Focused Tx,, Mindfulness techniques, Acceptance & Commitment Tx, and CBT).
• Facilitate support groups e.g. chronic disease-self management, pain management, smoking cessation.
• Help patients, families, and caregivers build skills to improve coping, distress tolerance, and stress reduction.
• Teach prevention and techniques to self-manage symptoms and chronic illness.
• Develop collaborative relationships with external medical, behavioral, and social service community partners.
• Provide diagnostic assessments and effective triage of patients in need of referrals to specialty mental health care.
• Develop educational, training materials and conducts sessions or disseminates information to care team on recent advances in the field.
• Participate in Quality Improvement/Quality Assurance activities as appropriate.
• Represent the health agency at external events and meetings.
• Other responsibilities as directed.