Consultant, Behavioral Health

Job Summary:

The Behavioral Health Consultant (BHC) provides expert integrated care to pediatric and adult patients as a member of the Primary Care Medical Home or Specialty Care treatment team. They specialize in brief, evidence-based, solution-focused assessments and interventions geared toward functional improvement. BHCs are generalists, providing high volume services from a population-based lens that are accessible, team-based, and a routine part of primary care. This is a behavioral health model that is interconnected with patients medical care and medical care team that requires specialized training and experience with a variety of medical and mental health concerns. In addition, this role performs high-level consultation to physicians and other medical care team members and contributes to a clear treatment plan for patient care. The BHC functions effectively in a fast pace, highly productive setting with the ability to successfully pivot from a patient facing to a physician facing role throughout the day. The BHC thrives on being adaptable, flexible, and able to independently function at a consistently high level. The individual in this position must be willing to engage in brief visits (e.g. 15- 30 mins) at a high volume, and adept in working closely with PCPs and other team members. Other required skills and duties are outlined below.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Apply solid working knowledge of biopsychosocial models of human behavior and development for assessment of patient care to include knowledge of the use of adult and pediatric screening instruments, as well as the ability to screen for and identify substance abuse problems.
• Apply first line interventions in a time-limited setting for a broad spectrum of physical and mental health problems experienced by patients and families throughout the lifespan as presenting in primary care (pediatrics, Internal Medicine, and Family medicine populations) or Specialty Care (ob/gyn, dermatology, cardiology, etc.) Targets of treatment may include mental health concerns, substance abuse concerns, adverse health behaviors (including their contribution to chronic medical illnesses), stress-related physical symptoms, ineffective patterns of health care utilization, and adjustment to new and chronic medical conditions.
• Provide patient and family education effectively and sensitively to encourage compliance with medical and behavioral treatment plans. To include the skill and expertise to discuss common psychotropic medications with a patient, including indications, effects and side effects, and demonstrate the ability to appropriately recommend initiating medication to primary care physician.
• Effectively utilize electronic health record and verbal communication to concisely communicate relevant information to medical providers in a timely manner. Ability to concurrently document during patient sessions. To include performance of various clinical, compliance, and administrative duties required to meet various billing and medical documentation requirements.
• Effectively assess for and manage suicidal and homicidal risk, as well as concerns for child or elder abuse and neglect, using effective and evidence-based methods (PHQ-9, Columbia Risk Assessment). When applicable, collaborate and coordinate care with the Crisis team, contact police and/or Child Protective Services and communicate effectively with receiving emergency department.
• A high level of comfort in providing consultation and training to other members of the primary care team in the areas of mental health, chemical dependency, and behavioral medicine.
• Possess skill and expertise to discuss common psychotropic medications with a patient, including indications, effects and side effects, and demonstrate the ability to appropriately recommend initiating medication to primary care physician.