Behavioral Health Consultant

CIRCLE THE CITY•Mesa, AZ

70d•$89,000 - $121,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Consultant identifies and addresses psychosocial factors relevant to assessing, treating, and managing physical health problems. The role provides brief interventions to promote functional improvement and reduce psychological or psychosocial barriers to health management, and connects patients to community services addressing needs such as mental health, substance use, shelter, and housing. The consultant works within the Primary Care Behavioral Health model as part of a patient care team that may include primary care providers, psychiatric consultants, case managers, patient navigators, nurses, and medical assistants. The position also helps identify service gaps and opportunities to expand services. Work may take place in a primary care clinic, medical respite center, medical mobile unit, or with a street medicine team. Mobile and street medicine positions may require flexible scheduling, including early mornings, possible evenings, and infrequent weekends. The role requires a master’s degree in Counseling or Social Work, or a doctorate in Psychology, and an eligible Arizona license: LPC, LCSW, or Arizona Board of Psychologist Examiners license. Applicants must have two years of healthcare experience, a current Arizona Driver License, Basic Life Support certification, and an Arizona Department of Safety Clearance Card or the ability to obtain one before starting. Bilingual English and Spanish is preferred.

Requirements

Must be at least 21 years old.
Ability to work flexibly and collaboratively with a patient care team across settings.
Ability to develop and maintain professional relationships with patients and care team members.
Experience with psychosocial assessment and treatment planning.
Proficiency in generally accepted individual, group, and crisis counseling theories and interventions.
Ability to collaborate with professionals across social services, healthcare, and government agencies.
Ability to work quickly, efficiently, and independently, and remain flexible and calm in tense situations.
Ability to maintain timely documentation of clinic encounters in an electronic health record and maintain patient confidentiality.
Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including public speaking and presentations.
Knowledge of organizational policies, procedures, systems, objectives, electronic health records, and computer applications such as MS Office, PowerPoint, and Chrome.
Initiative, judgment, problem-solving, and data-driven decision-making skills.
Sensitivity and ability to work with diverse staff and patients from all backgrounds.
Master’s degree in Counseling or Social Work, or doctorate in Psychology.
Arizona BBHE license as Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or Arizona Board of Psychologist Examiners license; other disciplines will not be considered.
Two years of experience working in the healthcare field.
Current Arizona Department of Safety Clearance Card, or ability to obtain one before starting.
Current Arizona Driver License.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Responsibilities

Provide services within the integrated Primary Care Behavioral Health model.
Complete individualized assessments of psychosocial factors affecting physical health, including psychological, behavioral, emotional, cognitive, environmental, interpersonal, mental health, and substance use concerns.
Use appropriate screening tools, including ASAM, DAST, AUDIT, PHQ-9, and GAD-7, to identify appropriate levels of care.
Coordinate with the multidisciplinary team to develop patient-centered treatment plans with clinical summaries, assessments, recommendations, measurable goals, and objectives.
Monitor patient progress toward treatment goals and objectives.
Provide evidence-based interventions, such as motivational interviewing, problem-solving, coping skills, relaxation and mindfulness, cognitive restructuring, impulse control, psychoeducation, and communication skills training, individually or in groups.
Provide brief interventions and short-term counseling for concerns including depression, anxiety, trauma, grief and loss, and addiction.
Respond to patients in crisis through rapid intervention, risk assessment, de-escalation, safety planning, and care coordination.
Support patients’ existing connections to mental health and substance use treatment services.
Connect patients to community agencies that address the needs of people experiencing homelessness.
Serve as the team’s content expert on behavioral change, substance use issues, and community resources.
Complete required documentation within organizational policy time frames and maintain confidentiality in accordance with applicable laws and policies.
Participate in continuing education, required meetings, trainings, and community events.
Receive clinical guidance as needed and adapt to changing patient flow, acuity, and operational demands while maintaining quality.
Maintain current knowledge of agency computer programs and systems.
Interact courteously and tactfully with clients, families, and personnel.
Perform other duties as assigned by a supervisor or director.