Behavioral Health Consultant

Position Summary –

The Behavioral Health Consultant is responsible for the clinical social work aspects of care for patients in the Inpatient Psychiatry program and/or mental health assessments in the Emergency Department.  Provides clinical services which can include: mental health assessment and diagnosis, psychosocial assessment, safety planning, care coordination and discharge planning and utilizes resources effectively. Assists in the implementation of a quality management program to evaluate services. Maintains systems which ensure appropriate utilization of resources and services.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES – 

Performed majority of the time:

·         Completes paperwork within prescribed timeframe, including: mental health assessments (including DSM 5 diagnosis), psychosocial assessments, safety plans, and discharge plans.

·         Documents patient evaluation and treatments in a thorough, concise manner including pertinent and meaningful observations and information to determine level of care needs, safety needs and planning.

·         Coordinates with patient’s families and providers in the community to gather collateral information and develop an appropriate discharge plan.

·         Utilizes knowledge of community services to provide referrals and create discharge plans

·         Works with the multidisciplinary treatment team to develop patient goals and discharge plans based on patient needs, level of care recommendation and knowledge of community resources.

·         Tracks and coordinates legal needs of patients, including communication with court investigators, POA, guardians, and coordinating and facilitating court hearings for patients.

Performed occasionally but critical to successful performance of the job:

·         Attends and participates in designated treatment team meetings on all matters concerning the patient or family.

·         Plans and conducts therapeutic activities including group and individual therapy sessions as needed, in accordance with the interdisciplinary treatment plan and needs of patients and the unit.

·         Completes all mandatory education for state licensure and JCAHO requirements.

Decision making and budget responsibilities (e.g. impact limited to the employee, entire unit or organization-wide):

·         Impact limited to the employee and to the wellbeing of the patient.

·         No budget responsibility.

Assigned direct reports (not limited to the ones listed):

·         N/A

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Education:

Required

·         Master’s in Social Work (MSW) degree from a CSWE accredited school of social work.

Preferred

·          

Experience:

Required

·         Minimum two (2) years of inter-disciplinary team experience.

·         Experience working with adults in settings focused on mental health; (can include time spent as MSW intern).

Preferred

·         Experience working in healthcare.

Licenses, Certifications and/or Registrations:

Required

·         Obtain full Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensure within 3 years of hire.

·         Clinical Social Work Associate (CSWA) required upon hire. LCSW can be used in lieu of CSWA.

Preferred

·         LCSW preferred upon hire.

Job Related Skills, Abilities and Behaviors:

Required

·         Adheres to National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics.

·         Advanced clinical skills to therapeutically engage and assess a diverse patient population, assess needs and efficiently coordinate a discharge plan.

·         Knowledge of mental illness and ability to provide a DSM 5 diagnosis, assess acuity and recommend the appropriate level of care to support the patient.

·         Knowledge of community health and social service resources.

·         Awareness of the impact of mental illness on individuals and families and ability to integrate this into effective discharge planning.

·         Advanced communication and interpersonal skills to that utilize and considers body language, filters, listening, paraphrasing, and questions with customers of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.  This also includes the skills to obtain and interpret information appropriate to patients' needs and age as required for assessment, range of treatment and patient care.

·         Experience in dealing with highly confidential information.

·         Demonstrates excellent customer service skills in working with patients, families, and interdisciplinary team.

·         Demonstrates skills in problem solving and productively addresses problem situations encountered.

·         Knowledge of chronic, acute and terminal illness and physical disabilities and the impact on the individual and family systems.

·         Emulates dress code and Code of Conduct that incorporates presenting a good first and lasting impression by personal appearance and interpersonal skills.

·         Demonstrates knowledge of resources and services for the geriatric population.

·         Utilizes PC skills to communicate effectively via email and clinical assessments in charting

·         Manages time effectively.

·         Demonstrates knowledge of hiring and compensation process/policies.

·         Follows organizational and departmental policies and procedures.

·         Follows professional, organizational, and unit policies and procedures on confidentiality.

Preferred

·         Bilingual skills a plus.