Behavioral Health Consultant (DHWC)

Essential Duties:

• Provide onsite consultation, education, brief assessment and evidence-based interventions to address chronic disease and acute behavioral health needs in a primary care medical setting.
• Provide Behavioral Health Consultations to include individual, couples, and/ or family consultations including:

• Work a flexible schedule which includes unscheduled patient visits, same day patient visits and scheduled patient visits referred by Providers, members of interdisciplinary team and self-referrals.
• Build and maintain a therapeutic relationship with patients and perform assessments of patient needs and, with patient and primary care provider, develop a negotiated care plan.
• Conduct group classes and group visits to promote skill building, education and improved health for the patient.
• Provide consultant services to clinical staff based on Primary Care Behavioral Health Consultation model.
• Consult with clinical staff to enhance understanding of the patient, provide decision support for treatment planning and assist in the implementation and monitoring of biopsychosocial treatment plans.
• Determine if patients have need for specialty mental health services and/or termination as needed.
• Be immediately available in the event of a psychiatric emergency, evaluating crisis situations and applying appropriate interventions.
• Use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), the International

Classification of Diseases (ICD), and other diagnostic classification systems in assessment,

diagnosis and other activities as appropriate.

• Provide traditional psycho-therapy as needed.
• Assist with care coordination and access to resources for patients as needed.
• Make appropriate referrals to Methodist Healthcare Ministries Social Worker for case management services and conduct follow up to ensure service delivery.
• Maintain productivity expectations established by supervisor.
• Responsible for the day-to-day operation of case flow, assessments, consultations and crisis

interventions.

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with individuals and families referred for
• services.
• Promote interactive communication with Methodist Healthcare Ministries programs, the community and other community agencies.
• Attend and participate in meetings and Quality Assurance activities as required.
• Implement policies and procedures and recommend any needed modifications.
• Develop and maintain a cumulative record for each patient receiving Behavioral Health Consultation and/or counseling services.

• Sustains productivity expectations established by supervisor.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience :

Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy or related field; two years providing counseling and competency in providing cognitive behavioral interventions required. Experience providing Behavioral Health Consultant services in a in primary care setting preferred.

Language Ability :

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret documents such as professional journals, operating manuals, maintenance instructions, technical procedures, or government regulations. Ability to read, analyze and interpret medical documents. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the public. Bilingual in English and Spanish required.

Reasoning Ability :

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Ability to perform independently.

Certificates and Licenses :

Candidate must hold a Texas BHEC issued license as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Counselor (LMFT) or Licensed Psychologist required or be eligible through reciprocity for the same licensure in Texas.

Computer Skills :

Ability to demonstrate working knowledge of the Internet, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, Excel and electronic health records software. Ability to efficiently document in electronic health record.

Other:

Ability to drive and have access to a car, maintain a valid driver’s license and auto liability insurance.

Frequent in-town travel required. Periodic regional travel required.

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a team member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the team member is exposed to an office and residential environment having direct contact with patients and clients. Position necessitates bending, stooping, reaching, kneeling and crouching, sitting, standing and walking for periods of time. Must be able to lift and maneuver 25 pounds.

Maybe required to work evenings and/or weekends.