Behavioral Health Support Specialist

Behavioral Health Support Specialist

Central Point Health Center & Phoenix Health Center

Full-Time | Hourly

The Behavioral Health Support Specialist is a core member of the interdisciplinary Patient Centered Primary Care Team and focuses on the coordination of behavioral health services, assisting patients in goal setting,  and providing interventions to support patients in their overall health.  

Utilizing the risk stratification tool for overall health status, this role is primarily working with patients served by the clinic that have scores ranging from low-rising risk through high risk. 

Responsibilities include the following:

• Documents patient care in EPIC and is responsible for following workflows that result in capturing activities to meet patient engagement standards as  outlined in the APCM program.
• Supports patient and team in identifying and advocating for referral to behavioral health specific services (internal or external.)Provides ongoing follow up support in-person or by telephone to support patient-identified goals.  Identifies when patients may need more intensive case management support and refers patients to community partners when indicated (i.e. MH intensive case management support). 
• Coordinates and communicates care needs effectively with patient, service delivery partners, and primary care team members to ensure holistic plan of care.
• Refers patients with behavioral health needs to BHCs for assessment and intervention and follows care plans providing supportive interventions as identified by BHC team members.
• May, on occasion, meet a patient in the community to support accessing a needed behavioral health resource or service when the patient needs additional assistance to be successful.  Will work with practice manager/direct supervisor to develop a plan and ensure patient needs are met. 
• Provides coaching to patients with a variety of health conditions with a targeted focus of patients who have behavioral health needs.
• Understands and supports patients with mild to moderate mental health and substance use needs, using the BHC for consultation, assessment and care planning when indicated.
• Participates in supporting substance use disorder patients within the clinic though screening, orientation of Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) prescribing parameters, collaborative care planning, occasional use of the DSM for SUD diagnosis (when CADC), ongoing recovery support to include creation and facilitation of group visits and referrals to higher (or lower) levels of care.  
• Assists PCPs and BHCs in delivery of group visits.  Responsible for collaborating on group facilitation and curriculum development for group visits. 
• Screens and provides intervention for a variety of health screenings (i.e. PHQ, SBIRT, GAD,  etc.)
• Screens and provides intervention to a person at risk for suicide, or domestic violence, creates safety plans, consults and collaborates with BHCs and PCPs on interventions and referrals to appropriate services. 
• Supports patients and care teams in navigating situations that may require de-escalation, compromise and reconciliation (i.e. Supporting development and communication of care agreements.)  Supports focus on wellness promotion utilizing the Wellness Wheel to engage and support patients in identifying and working toward their own personal wellness goals in collaboration with the primary care team.
• Collaborates with patients and care teams to provide support and increase knowledge and understanding of health conditions as well as provide education regarding preventative care measures. 
• Assists patient in understanding goals related to team recommendations, and partners with patient to identify patient’s own health goals to promote wellness.
• Engages with patient through follow up phone calls, and with individual and/or group coaching sessions to support patient in achieving the goals they’ve set for themselves.
• Utilizes motivational interviewing to assess patient readiness to change.
• Utilizes a trauma informed care practice of engagement with patients; for example, asking a patient, “What’s happened to you?” rather than, “What’s wrong with you?”
• Ensures clear concise documentation within scope of practice and in alignment with organizational policies.
• Completes required training designated on orientation checklist within 6 months of hire (i.e., motivational interviewing, trauma informed care, mental health first aide etc.)
• Completes annually mandatory and role-based competencies (refer to competency checklists.)
• Participates in care team huddles, discipline-specific team meetings, and monthly case consultation meetings. 

Education and/or Experience:

• Minimum: High School Diploma
• Three to five years of experience in social services field
• Excellent interpersonal communication and problem-solving skills
• Skills to intervene and promote reconciliation, compromise and positive outcomes in difficult interactions.
• Skilled at using electronic health records as applicable to area of work (EPIC, Wisdom)
• Achieves Community Health Worker certification requirements within 6 months of employment and maintains certification while employed. 

Preferred:

• Certification in health coaching, alcohol and drug counseling, qualified mental health associate, and/or other health care related certification.
• Experience and skill in working with populations with significant psychosocial needs and behavioral health conditions. 
• Bachelor’s degree in health education, health promotion, psychology, or social work.
• Basic knowledge of adult learning models

Benefits Include the Potential for the Following: 

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance 
• Voluntary Accident, Short Term Disability, and Critical Illness Insurance 
• 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan with Available Company Match 
• Organization Paid Standard Life Insurance 
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Wellness Programs Such as Cooking, Zumba, Yoga, and Gardening 
• Personal and Professional Development Seminars 

Equity Statement: 

At La Clinica, we commit to engage everyone in a welcoming, respectful, and loving way and to maintain the dignity and value of all people above everything else. These standards align with our organization’s vision of absolute excellence, open-hearted community, and well-being for all. 

For more information, please visit our website at: https://laclinicahealth.org/patients/approach/ 

Applications will be reviewed by the appropriate Department for interview; those selected must be able to provide proof of legal right to work in this country. Criminal history background check and pre-employment drug screen will be performed prior to any job offers. La Clinica is a drug free work environment. Equal Opportunity Employer. La Clinica complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you consider yourself disabled and desire assistance in the application process, please contact the Human Resources Department.