Behavioral Health Advocate Specialist (LCSW or LPC) - FT

POSITION PURPOSE:

The Behavioral Health Advocate Specialist (Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) provides crisis response in the Emergency Department that may include inpatient therapy and/or related clinical services to patients across the age spectrum (age 4 ) and their families. Working from an interdisciplinary approach, also works to connect patients with appropriate resources. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND BASIC DUTIES:

Supervisory-Specific Performance Expectations, Duties, and Responsibilities:

• Demonstrates 100% commitment to high performance in accordance with the CHOICE values of MRH and represents the organization in a positive and professional manner.
• May carry out managerial responsibility in the department through effective communication and in accordance with the employee handbook, policies, procedures, and applicable laws, including interviewing, hiring, orienting, training, planning, assigning, and directing work; establishing deadlines; scheduling; timekeeping; providing continuous, overall performance feedback and evaluation, including appropriate documentation supporting employee performance assessment; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints, conducting departmental investigations in collaboration with HR and Risk Management leadership, and effectively resolving problems.
• Interprets, develops, communicates, updates, and/or monitors policies, procedures, and standards for the department, in relation to applicable laws and organizational goals.
• Ensures quality standards and compliance with applicable laws and regulations are maintained.
• Maintains and upgrades professional knowledge, skills, and development by attending seminars and training programs and reading trade and professional journals and publications.

Position-Specific Performance Expectations, Duties, and Responsibilities:

• Maintains client privacy and confidentiality within the system of advocacy and performs mandatory reporting requirements.
• Provides onsite intervention for patients experiencing behavioral health and/or substance abuse crises.
• Completion of thorough Psychosocial Assessments.
• Conducts mental health risk assessments related to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suicidal ideation, interpersonal/sexual trauma, substance use/self-medication, anxiety and depression, etc.
• May assist with determination of an M1 hold, if an individual is deemed to be in imminent danger of harming themselves or someone else or is “gravely disabled. An M1 hold will rely on Colorado Statute 2-65-101 Care and Treatment of Persons with Mental Illness.
• Develop short-term person-centered stabilization/safety plans.
• Provide follow-up contact as developed in the stabilization or safety plan.
• Builds and maintains positive relationships with community resources and providers to facilitate appropriate referral services.
• Utilizes verbal de-escalation skills to resolve heightened emotional situations or triage as needed.
• Facilitates/co-facilitates group discussions, when needed.
• Assists the physician and other care team members in understanding the significant psychosocial factors related to patient health problems.
• Provides services and conducts self in a manner consistent with the profession’s Code of Ethics.
• Completes documentation in a timely manner following MRH guidelines for provider staff.
• Participates in development of patient plan of care.
• Assists patient and family in using appropriate community resources.
• Assesses and provides therapy, counseling, intervention, and/or education to patient in a manner appropriate to patient circumstance in a culturally, linguistically, and age appropriate manner as indicated by mental health assessment and client treatment goals.
• Provides training for providers and staff on behavioral health topics as needed.
• Ability to collaboratively communicate with referring physicians.
• Positive and supportive towards team members, staff members, clinic, and hospital.
• Strives to ensure continual compliance with Departmental and Organization Policies and Procedures and State/Federal Regulations.
• Records, compiles, and prepares reports and summaries.
• Can identify & access system to report abuse to employee and/or patients.
• Attends required medical in-service training as needed.
• Ability to provide services for patients ages four (4) and older.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Organization-Specific Performance Expectations, Duties, and Responsibilities:

• Demonstrates 100% commitment to performance in accordance with the CHOICE values of MRH and representing the organization in a positive and professional manner.
• Establishes and maintains effective verbal and written communication and good working relationships with all patients, staff, and vendors.
• Adheres to MRH attire/dress code per policies and procedures.
• Utilizes initiative; strives to maintain a steady level of productivity; self-motivated; and manages activity and time.
• Completes annual education, training, in-service, and licensure/certification requirements; and attends departmental and organizational staff meetings or reads meeting minutes.
• Maintains patient confidentiality at all times.
• Reports to work on time as scheduled; completes work within designated timeframes.
• Actively participates in departmental and organizational performance improvement and continuous quality improvement activities.
• Strives to uphold regulatory requirements to ensure continual compliance with departmental, hospital, state, and federal regulations and policies.
• Follows policies and procedures for infection control, safety, and risk management to ensure a safe environment for patients, the public, and staff.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Requirements:

• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Must be able to legally work in the United States.
• Must be able to pass a background check.
• Must be able to pass a drug screen and breath alcohol test (if applicable).
• Must complete employee health meeting.
• Must possess a clean driving record and pass a Motor Vehicle Records Check and meet insurability Guidelines (if applicable) – see below:
  • Must possess a valid driver’s license.
  • Must not have three (3) or more violations in three years.
  • Must not have any of the following violations, regardless of the time period:
    • Homicide involving a vehicle.
    • Using a vehicle to elude an officer.
    • Hit and run.
    • Manslaughter with a vehicle.
    • Felony with a vehicle.
    • False report to police department.
    • Permitting an unlicensed driver to drive.
  • Any two or more preventable accidents in three (3) years – a preventable accident is any traffic accident which results in property damage and/or personal injury, regardless of who was injured, what property was damaged, to what extent, or where it occurred, in which the driver in question failed to exercise every reasonable precaution or action to avoid the accident Driving to avoid preventable accidents is defensive driving. The fact that the driver was not charged with a traffic violation by law enforcement is not a part of our definition.
  • Any driver convicted of any of the following within the last five years:
    • Any alcohol or drug related offense including, but not limited to, driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Required Education/Licensure/Certification:

• Current BLS certification (or must be obtained within 90 days).
• Unencumbered Colorado Clinical Social Worker License (LCSW) or Unencumbered Licensed Professional Counselor License (LPC), required.

Experience:                                                                         

• Bilingual (Spanish) or other foreign language, preferred.
• UP to one (1) year experience with patients in a clinic setting, preferred.

Position Classification:  Exempt 

Compensation Range:  $61,110 to $91,644

Benefits:  Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, Paid Time Off

Salary : $61,110 - $91,644