Job Title: Primary Health Care Counselor
This position provides services to patients with a broad range of medical needs, including mental health and substance use disorders, to assist them manage their health and social needs. Performs assessments of patient medical and/or social services needs, links patients to care, and maintains referral tracking and follow-up systems related to their care.
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Bachelors or Masters degree in social work or related field of health or behavioral health. Current certification in BLS.
Experience: One year of recent experience in the direct delivery of counseling and/or case management preferred. Cultural competence in working with diverse populations required.
Essential Functions
Report to work as scheduled on time and ready to start working. Remain at work for their entire work schedule.
Functions as a member of an interdisciplinary health care team. Performs brief psychological assessments of tobacco, alcohol misuse, prescription drugs, and/or use of illegal drugs and social determinants of health needs. Performs brief assessments of suicidality using the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale for primary care and, if positive, develops a safety plan in conjunction with the patient.
Provides across the lifespan brief counseling on tobacco cessation, alcohol substance abuse, and/or other appropriate health interventions. Collaborates and maintains with patient and his/her family to develop culturally appropriate plans of care. Follow-up on care initiated by Nurses and/or develops referral tracking and follow-up plans to coordinate patient care.
Discusses issues, concerns, and treatment options with patient relevant family members and provider and documents the information per protocol in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system. May visit community shelters, i.e., Fairbanks Rescue Mission and Interior Alaska Center for Non-Violent Living and other human services locations to dialogue with residents and shelter employees to motivate and assist clients to navigate and receive timely primary and other health and social services program access.
Maintains community referral systems. Completes training requirements to become a Certified Application Counselor within two weeks of hire. Participates in and reports on assigned community behavioral health meetings. Participates in continuous quality improvement and risk management activities. Participates in Patient-Centered Medical Home primary care provider team huddles. Complies with centers policies and procedures. Participates in internal meetings. Integrates work with other staff to ensure timely and accurate flow. Utilizes office equipment, including personal computer. Remains current with standards of primary health care practices and mental health and substance use disorder evidence-based treatment strategies.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Ability to work as a successful primary health care team. Knowledge of current methods of behavioral health and evidence-based counseling and case management. Current computer skills. Knowledge of common office equipment, copier, fax, printer, etc. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to organize and prioritize tasks. Ability to work under pressure. Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills. Ability to work independently and as a team member.