Behavioral Health Consultant (LCSW, Psychologist, LPCC, LMFT)

Neighborhood Healthcare•Poway, CA

14d•$95,500 - $172,800•Hybrid

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Consultant (BHC) provides direct behavioral health care in support of Neighborhood Healthcare’s mission and vision. The role meets with individuals and families to provide brief behavioral psychotherapy and consults with primary care providers through an integrated care model. This is a hybrid position. The BHC provides short-term, targeted psychotherapy; assesses patients and develops care plans; considers social, emotional, economic, and co-occurring factors affecting care; and provides crisis management and psychoeducation. The role also supports primary care providers and interdisciplinary teams, participates in quality improvement and meetings, follows established protocols, maintains legally defensible medical records, and fulfills licensing and credentialing requirements. Candidates must hold one of the specified California licenses: Psychologist, LCSW, LMFT, or LPCC. Current AHA-approved Basic Life Support certification is required upon hire and must be maintained. Two years of pre- or post-licensure psychotherapy experience with children, adults, and/or adolescents is required, including child or adolescent experience. Experience providing health-related psychotherapy is also required. Bilingual English/Spanish or English/Arabic ability is preferred. The role requires the ability to lift or carry 10 pounds and to stand for long periods. Annual pay ranges from $113,700 to $172,800 for Psychologists and from $95,500 to $141,300 for LCSW, LPCC, and LMFT clinicians, depending on experience. The position is eligible for a $10,000 signing bonus.

Requirements

Doctorate in Psychology and a valid California Psychologist License; or a master’s degree in Social Work and a valid California LCSW License; or a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and a valid California LMFT License; or a master’s degree in Counseling and a valid California LPCC License.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from an American Heart Association-approved source is required upon hire and must be maintained. The course must include in-person, hands-on skills assessment with a certified instructor; online-only courses without a live skills check do not qualify.
Two years of pre- or post-licensure psychotherapy experience with children, adults, and/or adolescents, including required child or adolescent experience.
Experience providing health psychotherapy services, such as smoking cessation, weight management, stress management, or work with chronically medically ill patients.
Knowledge of normal human development and ability to assess and provide age-appropriate care.
Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary team within medical care.
Ability to use word-processing, spreadsheet, and/or electronic medical records systems.
Ability to complete some charting while in session.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including composition, typing, legible handwriting, and proofreading.
Ability to interpret written, oral, diagrammatic, or scheduled instructions.
Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
Excellent planning and organizational ability.
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
Ability to handle highly confidential information professionally and ethically.
Ability to lift or carry 10 pounds and stand for long periods.
Follow safety practices, use appropriate body mechanics, know the locations of the nearest fire extinguisher and emergency exits, and follow infection-control procedures.
Maintain patient, employee, and volunteer privacy and comply with corporate integrity and security requirements.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual in English and Spanish or English and Arabic.

Responsibilities

Provide short-term, targeted psychotherapy for concerns identified by primary care providers.
Perform initial and ongoing behavioral health assessments and develop patient care plans.
Evaluate social, emotional, and economic factors that may affect patients’ ability to benefit from medical care.
Provide brief psychotherapy to patients and families.
Account for co-occurring disorders in patient care plans.
Respond promptly and compassionately to patients and employees.
Provide crisis management and psychoeducation for patients and families.
Conduct warm handoffs at the request of medical providers.
Acknowledge and honor patients’ psychosocial, spiritual, and cultural beliefs.
Use BHC staff protocols for referrals, follow-up, and quality assurance.
Consult with primary care providers about behavioral aspects of patients’ medical treatment.
Participate in quality improvement activities.
Maintain professional working relationships with staff, clients, and the public.
Cooperate in accomplishing department goals and objectives.
Participate in case conferences, trainings, and departmental or agency meetings as directed.
Follow BHC protocols, policies, and procedures.
Provide personal information and participate in credentialing with managed care companies.
Attend continuing education programs to upgrade professional skills and maintain licensing requirements.
Document legible and legally defensible medical records.
Follow safety procedures, infection-control procedures, and blood-borne pathogen protocols; report injuries, unsafe conditions, and unethical, fraudulent, or unlawful activity.
Maintain patient, employee, and volunteer privacy and comply with corporate integrity and security obligations.