Behavioral Health Specialist

Community Health Center of Snohomish County is recruiting a Behavioral Health Specialist at the Everett-South Medical Clinic.

The Behavioral Health Specialist operates in a team with other clinic healthcare providers and support staff. The Behavioral Health Specialist provides support and assistance to Primary Care Providers (PCP) and their patients without engaging in extended specialty mental health care. Makes recommendations to PCP’s relative to psychological intervention strategies and conducts follow-up consultations to reinforce PCP-generated interventions.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
• Reads, speaks, understands and writes proficiently in English.
• Independent and self-directed.
• Works effectively in a team environment.
• Organizes, prioritizes, and coordinates multiple activities and tasks.
• Works with initiative, energy and effectiveness in a fast-paced environment.
• Remains calm and effective in high pressure and emergency situations.
• Problem-solves with creativity and ingenuity.
• Knowledge of DSM-5 criteria for various mental health conditions.
• Knowledge of medical terminology.

• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office applications; Word, Excel and Outlook.

Preferred:
• Bilingual skills.

Education
• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Masters degree in Mental Health Counseling, Behavioral Science, Social Work or related field.

Experience
Preferred:
• Not less than a 0.5 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) of patient care within field of training within the past year.
• CPT-4 coding experience.
• ICD-10 coding experience.
• Healthcare information systems, such as electronic health record and practice management systems experience.
• Experience in a multiple provider medical practice.
• Working with low income, multi-ethnic populations.

Credentials
• Marriage and Family Therapist license (LMFT) with the state of Washington; or
• Mental Health Counselor license (LMHC) with the state of Washington and board certified by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC); or
• Independent Clinical Social Worker license (LICSW) with the State of Washington and board certified by the American Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB).
• Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (CPR/AED) certification - must be obtained within 90 days of employment.
• Successful completion of CHC’s credentialing and privileging review upon hire and re-credentialing as appropriate.

Preferred:
• Chemical Dependency Professional (CDP) with the state of Washington.

Job Specific Functions/Performance Expectations:
1. Provides support and assistance to Primary Care Providers (PCP) and their patients, related to behavioral health issues. Makes recommendations to PCPs relative to psychological intervention strategies and conducts follow-up consultations to reinforce behavioral health interventions.
2.  Performs assessment and triage of patients by conducting a brief screening visit, evaluating the level of functioning, determining the risk level, determining if referral to another agency is appropriate, and assisting with diagnosis through diagnostic interviewing and behavioral management.
3. Makes psychological intervention, psycho educational, care management, referral, and external consultation recommendations to Primary Care Provider.
4. Performs follow-up on Behavioral Health Patient Consultation by developing behavioral care plans approved with the PCP, assisting patient with compliance with planned interventions, maintaining patient stability/preventing relapses, assisting patient with difficult conditions, procedures or lifestyle changes, assisting in managing disability issues, and participating in conjoint consultation with PCP.
5. Conducts group classes to promote skill building or education, provides information on disease, proposed interventions, and coping with side effects, and addresses negative beliefs about interventions.
6. Serves as liaison to community specialty behavioral health providers by identifying beneficial community resources and making referrals, educating patients about external resources, and serving as liaison with those providers to assure effective communication.
7. Administers mental health rating scales to patients as indicated. In collaboration with the primary care provider, uses the rating scales to assess patient progress with treatment, and determine the need for psychiatric consultation.
8. Assesses prenatal and postpartum patients as part of the Maternity Support Services/First Steps program.
9. Adheres to attendance standards in order to perform the job functions for daily operations and/or continuity of patient care.

We offer competitive wages and a comprehensive benefits package designed to address health, time off, retirement and career-advancement needs.

To learn more and to apply for this position, please visit our website www.CHCsno.org to complete an online application and/or submit your resume for consideration.

Join a team that loves what they do and cares about those they serve.

AA/EEO Employer