Behavioral Health Intake Nurse Jobs (NOW HIRING)

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

Community Health Programs (CHP) is a mission-driven, nonprofit network of health centers dedicated to nurturing and inspiring healthy lives for people throughout the Berkshires. Our mission guides everything we do: delivering exceptional, compassionate health care and family services that strengthen individuals, families, and our entire community.
As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), CHP is uniquely positioned to ensure access to high-quality, comprehensive care for all - regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. Serving a federally designated rural and Medically Underserved Population Area, we work to remove barriers and advance health equity across our region.
Our network provides adult and pediatric primary care, women's health, dental, nutrition, and behavioral health support. Beyond clinical care, our Family Services team supports thousands of families across the region with programs that help meet essential needs and reduce barriers that impact health and well-being.
At CHP, our mission is to provide access to health care for everyone.

Salary Range: $24.00 - $28.00 / hour Status: Hybrid Schedule: Part-Time; 20hrs/week Location: Neighborhood Health Center in Pittsfield, MA, when on-site Summary: The Behavioral Health Intake Coordinator serves as the primary access point for behavioral health services at Community Health Programs (CHP). Working within a Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) and Primary Care Behavioral Health (PCBH) model, this position manages behavioral health referrals, conducts initial screenings, coordinates patient placement, and supports population health strategies designed to improve access to care for high-risk and underserved populations. The Intake Coordinator collaborates closely with primary care providers, behavioral health clinicians, care coordinators, community health workers, and population health teams to ensure timely access to appropriate behavioral health services. This position supports Community Health Center quality, access, and health equity initiatives by improving referral management, reducing wait times, optimizing clinician capacity, and enhancing care coordination across the organization.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Behavioral Health Intake & Assessment:

• Manage the behavioral health referral and intake queue for all CHP sites.
• Conduct initial telephone screenings using approved assessment tools and standardized intake protocols.
• Evaluate patient needs, symptom severity, urgency, risk factors, and readiness for treatment.
• Determine appropriateness for CHP behavioral health services
• Prioritize referrals based on clinical acuity, risk status, and population health criteria. Escalate urgent clinical concerns to behavioral health leadership and licensed clinicians as appropriate.

Care Coordination & Population Health:

• Identify high-risk patients, including:
  • Frequent Emergency Department utilizers
  • Patients with serious mental illness
  • Individuals with co-occurring medical and behavioral health conditions
  • Patients experiencing social, economic, or access-related barriers
• Collaborate with Care Coordinators, Community Health Workers, and Primary Care teams to address barriers to treatment engagement.
• Provide navigation support and facilitate referrals to community resources and specialty behavioral health providers.

Referral Management & Provider Placement:

• Match patients with the most appropriate behavioral health clinician based on clinical need, specialty, language, availability, and patient preference.
• Coordinate collection of releases of information, collateral information, previous treatment records, and other documentation needed before appointments.
• Maintain referral status documentation and ensure timely communication with referring providers.
• Serve as a liaison between primary care, behavioral health, and population health teams.

Resource Management:

• Maintain a comprehensive directory of behavioral health, substance use, psychiatric, crisis, and community resources.
• Educate patients regarding available services, levels of care, and referral options.
• Assist patients in accessing specialty services that are outside CHP's scope of care.

Quality Improvement & Health Equity:

• Support quality improvement initiatives focused on behavioral health access, engagement, and outcomes.
• Monitor referral trends, wait times, service utilization, and access metrics.
• Promote equitable access to behavioral health services for underserved populations.
• Participate in efforts to reduce disparities related to race, ethnicity, language, insurance status, disability, geographic location, and social determinants of health.
• Assist with reporting requirements related to Community Health Center, HRSA, PCMH, PCBH, and value-based care initiatives.

Documentation & Compliance:

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation in the Electronic Health Record (EHR).
• Ensure compliance with HIPAA, state regulations, organizational policies, and behavioral health confidentiality requirements.
• Follow all CHP policies regarding patient safety, crisis intervention, and risk management.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Social Work, Human Services, Public Health, Counseling, or a related field.
• Minimum of two years of experience in healthcare, behavioral health, care coordination, case management, or community-based services.
• Knowledge of behavioral health conditions, substance use disorders, and community resources.
• Strong communication, organizational, triage, and customer service skills.
• Experience working with diverse and underserved populations.
• Proficiency with electronic health records and Microsoft Office applications.

Preferred:

• Experience in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), Community Health Center, integrated care, or Primary Care Behavioral Health setting.
• Experience conducting behavioral health screenings or patient assessments.
• Familiarity with population health management and care coordination models.
• Bilingual skills, particularly Spanish.

Core Competencies:

• Behavioral Health Triage
• Population Health Management
• Health Equity and Social Determinants of Health
• Care Coordination
• Crisis Recognition and Escalation
• Patient Engagement
• Integrated Care/PCBH Model
• Relationship Building
• Problem Solving
• Data and Quality Improvement

FULL-TIME/PART-TIME Full-Time
POSITION Behavioral Health Intake Coordinator
EXEMPT/NON-EXEMPT Non-Exempt
LOCATION MA, Pittsfield, CHP Neighborhood Health Center
EOE STATEMENT

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Compensation details: 24-28 Hourly Wage

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