Behavioral Health Consultant(Elk Ridge) - Flagstaff 4th st - Primary Care

El Rio Community Health Center•Flagstaff, AZ

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Consultant (BHC) provides assessment, intervention, and care coordination for health behaviors and psychosocial concerns that affect patients’ management of chronic medical illnesses and overall health. The BHC works collaboratively with behavioral health teams, primary care providers, and other members of the multidisciplinary medical team to support cohesive, whole-person care for patients of all ages. Services may include brief, population-based primary care consultations focused on health behavior; crisis triage; brief solution-focused therapy; assessment and treatment planning for patients experiencing a mental health crisis in primary care; and coordination related to life stressors, medical conditions, mental health conditions, substance use, motivation, and other behavioral health concerns. The role also supports patient education and self-management, warm hand-offs, continuity of care, crisis navigation, and transitions to higher levels of behavioral health care. The BHC maintains accurate and confidential electronic patient records in accordance with HIPAA, organizational policies, documentation and billing requirements, and regulatory standards. The role also provides education to primary care and behavioral health teams, attends applicable meetings and training, and participates in the Behavioral Emergency Response Team (BERT).

Requirements

Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or a related field from an accredited university.
Three years of post-graduate experience working with behavioral health patients in a clinical setting, outpatient and/or inpatient.
Previous training in Crisis Intervention, Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, and/or related intervention care models.
Current independent-level Arizona behavioral health license in good standing with the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health (LPC, LCSW, or Clinical Psychologist).
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification for health care providers.
Current, valid Level I fingerprint clearance card in good standing, or application for one within seven working days after beginning employment.
Reliable transportation that can accommodate operational reassignments during the workday.
If driving during work hours, a valid driver’s license and compliance with Arizona vehicle insurance requirements.
Employees must undergo pre-employment drug testing and may be subject to post-accident, reasonable suspicion, return-to-duty, and follow-up drug and alcohol testing in accordance with federal and state regulations.
If applicable, an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered if directly related to the job’s functions and responsibilities.

Nice To Haves

Doctoral degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or a related field from an accredited university.
Five years of post-graduate experience working with behavioral health patients in a clinical setting, outpatient and/or inpatient.
Three years of post-graduate experience working in an integrated medical setting.
Bilingual English/Spanish skills, including the ability to speak, read, and write in both languages.

Responsibilities

Provide focused clinical services addressing patients’ health and behavioral concerns, including consultation, health behavior assessment and intervention, and care coordination.
Make appropriate recommendations to medical providers, patients, and multidisciplinary team members.
Provide interruptible and accessible services in response to referrals and warm hand-off requests.
Cultivate education and self-management skills among targeted populations with medical, mental health, behavioral health, and other health-related concerns.
Collaborate with primary care providers and interdisciplinary medical team members to support patients’ health behaviors and address physical health conditions and comorbidities.
Coordinate with Specialty Behavioral Health to staff cases, promote continuity of care, support smooth transitions to services, and help primary care teams manage mild behavioral health conditions.
Maintain accurate electronic patient records and charts in accordance with HIPAA, confidentiality policies, Electronic Health Records guidelines, and documentation, billing, coding, and procedural requirements.
Protect the confidentiality of patient records and information, proprietary information, and personnel information.
Complete clinical documentation clearly, thoroughly, accurately, and within required timeframes.
Educate primary care and behavioral health teams on behavioral health assessment and intervention, behavioral health conditions, safety and risk assessment, and the use of Behavioral Health services.
Attend applicable behavioral health and medical provider meetings and participate in ongoing training as needed.
Collaborate with primary care providers and the interdisciplinary medical team to provide health counseling and develop integrated treatment plans.
Coordinate patient navigation to crisis services and engage mobile crisis teams when needed to support safe transitions to higher levels of behavioral health care.
Participate in BERT, using rapid intervention techniques such as verbal de-escalation and therapeutic communication to support the safety and well-being of patients and staff.
Maintain a clean, safe, and hygienic work environment in accordance with applicable policies and procedures.
Demonstrate understanding and proficiency in compliance and reporting requirements related to Joint Commission Certification standards.