Behavioral Health Entry Level Jobs in Washington

Position Summary

The Behavioral Health Consultant (BHC) is a dynamic and flexible position responsible for administering Integrated Behavioral Health services for participants accessing care within the primary care setting. The BHC is the go-to behavioral health professional in the medical clinic who provides on-the-spot triaging for participants experiencing mental health concerns, as well as providing ongoing short episodes of care. These services include functional assessments, crisis management, and brief interventions using CBT and solution-focused modalities. The goal of these interventions is to improve the functioning of participants and/or reduce symptoms associated with depression, anxiety, pain, and other behavioral health or medical conditions, as well as support clinic providers understanding and skill of behavioral health symptoms. Salary: $77,000 (LGSW, LMSW, LGPC) or $80,000 (LPC, LICSW).

Reportability

This position will report directly to the Senior Clinical Manager of Behavioral Health Integration. This position works on a day-to-day basis with Medical Providers, Operations, Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) team members, Nursing, Nutrition, clinic Family Support Workers (FSW’s), and members of the Behavioral Health Department.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

Linkage to Medical Operations:

• Receive consultations and warm hand-offs (WHO’s) from clinic staff when participants are identified to have a behavioral health concern.
• Provide training and skill-building to clinic staff on the symptoms of behavioral health conditions and screenings used to identify them.
• Work collaboratively with other clinic providers to support participant improvement.
• Understand and apply state and federal confidentiality regulations with regard to clients’ records and correspondence.
• Participate in clinic operations, Behavioral Health Department meetings, IBH team meetings, division-wide and organization-wide meetings and/or committees assigned.

Behavioral Health Services:

• Provide brief episodes of care for primary care participants identified to have behavioral health concerns, which includes: screening and functional assessments, short-term individual and family interventions using CBT and solution-focused modalities, crisis management.
• Serve as a triage system to identify participants needing a higher level of care and provide linkage to those services.
• Implement SBIRT protocols by screening, providing brief interventions, and referrals to treatment for participants with substance use concerns.
• Accept cultural diversity and integrate the participant’s/family’s values and culture into interventions.
• Complete consent forms, explain worker’s role, and review participant rights and responsibilities, including confidentiality and mandated reporting.

Documentation:

• Document all contacts, referrals and other necessary information in the participant’s chart.
• Maintain participant records that are accurate, comprehensive and adhere to documentation policies.
• Complete documentation and billing needs in a timely manner (within 48 hours).
• Maintain monthly statistics and provide reports as needed to the Behavioral Health Department.

Qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities –

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology or related field
• An independently licensed provider (LPC or LICSW) or an entry-level license (LGSW, LMSW, or LGPC) to practice psychotherapy under the supervision of an independently licensed provider in the District of Columbia or Maryland (depending on job site)
• Experience practicing in an integrated health environment and/or experience in working with immigrant or low-income populations is desirable.
• Working knowledge of Windows and Word; knowledge of patient confidentiality issues and HIPAA compliance/regulation are essential.

Language Requirement – Ability to communicate effectively in English is required. Additional language proficiency or fluency in Spanish preferred.

Physical Demands – Regularly required to sit; frequently required to reach with hands and arms, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, talk or hear; must be able to lift objects up to twenty-five (25) pounds.

Work Environment – This is a hybrid virtual and in-person integrated position whose office will be co-located within the medical clinic and includes both moderate noise level and interruptions. May be exposed to extreme cold, heat, and humidity due to outside weather conditions.

The Benefits:

• Health Insurance: medical, dental & vision – plus retirement options through 403(b) contribution and investment opportunities
• 25 days of paid leave annually (in addition to paid holidays), plus 5 educational days
• Tuition reimbursement of $2750/year towards education assistance and professional development. Reimbursement is pro-rated based on the employee's regularly scheduled hours worked per week
• Transportation subsidy via metro & bus
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)