Associate, Resident Mental Health

Kaiser Permanente•Portland, OR

52d

About The Position

Full-time associate as a Behavioral Health Associate (BHA) or Mental Health Associate (MHA). The BHA or MHA provide 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 or therapeutic interventions for episodic mental health conditions. BHAs and MHAs are generalists, providing high volume services from a population-based lens that are accessible, team-based, and a routine part of primary mental health and specialty mental health care. This is a behavioral health model that is interconnected with patient's 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 BHA & MHA function 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. Associates must thrive 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 (e.g.,15 - 30 mins) or extended (e.g., 30 -60 mins) visits at a high volume, and adept in working closely with Primary Care Providers & Clinicians in a variety of specialties and other team members. Supervision toward licensure provided. Other required skills and duties are outlined below.

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 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.
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.

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