Behavioral Health Provider

Central Maine Healthcare•Lewiston, ME

About The Position

Central Maine Healthcare is an integrated healthcare delivery system serving 400,000 people living in central, western and Midcoast Maine. CMH's hospital facilities include Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, Bridgton Hospital and Rumford Hospital. CMH also supports Central Maine Medical Group, a primary and specialty care practice organization. Other system services include the Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute, a regional trauma program, LifeFlight of Maine's southern Maine base, the Central Maine Comprehensive Cancer Center and other high-quality clinical services. If you are passionate about making a difference and are looking for your next great career opportunity, we look forward to reviewing your application! Position Summary: This role focuses on providing behavioral health assessment and short-term behavioral health therapy to primary care patients within the setting of the practice. The clinician is a fully integrated team member in the practice, documenting in the patient’s electronic health record, providing behavioral health services to referred patients and providing behavioral health education and consultation as requested. A key component of the clinician’s role is to provide services within best practice standards as outlined in the CMH Integrated Behavioral Health Model and Standards document which outlines the desired mindset, operational standards and clinical standards. The clinician who fits well with this position has broad knowledge of a wide range of behavioral health conditions, openness to taking on a wide range of patients, diagnostic and case formulation skills, willingness to learn about medical conditions that interface significantly with mental health conditions, ability to work in a fast-pace environment and to create treatment plans that help patients achieve reachable goals within a reasonable, limited timeframe.

Requirements

Master’s Degree in social work, professional counseling or other related field of study that leads directly to a clinical therapy license in Maine required
Maine LCSW, LCPC or other related professional license to provide therapy in Maine required.
2 years post-licensure experience preferred
Experience in medical setting preferred
Experience working with a breadth of behavioral health disorders preferred
Experience providing behavioral health assessment and short-term treatment preferred
Engage patients and team members utilizing the CMH Experience Standards i. I am creating a warming, caring, and non-judgmental environment ii. I am actively listening and seeking information iii. I am honest, truthful, and consistent iv. I am respectful, treating all individuals with dignity and empathy v. I am serving as a role model, taking both initiative and ownership when appropriate vi. I am working collaboratively and demonstrating teamwork vii. I am resilient and adapt to change in positive ways.
Function well in fast-paced environment, effectively prioritizing and organizing oneself in order to effectively complete all work
Communicate well, verbally and in writing
Synthesize and communicate clinical findings
Educate patients and team members, both formally and informally

Responsibilities

Identifies self as a member of the primary care practice team
Invests in professional relationships with practice’s providers and other team members for the betterment of operations and patient care
Has flexible approach including ability to handle interruptions for urgent client situations or to provide urgent input on patients not on the day’s schedule
Operates with “open door” approach when not in with patient, including virtual open door when working remotely (camera on or otherwise easy to connect with when not with patient)
Takes on learning as an ongoing part of growth as clinician, especially on topics that address needs of the practice and its patient panel
Communicates effectively and in an integrated manner within the electronic health record’s messaging system
Adheres to agreed-upon schedule template and productivity standards, collaborating with office staff on management of patient scheduling
Follows office protocols regarding time off requests and exceptions to full day of work
Works with practice leadership to troubleshoot workflow challenges
Complies with office standards
Documents key clinical points clearly and concisely and within expected timeframes of practice
Communicates problems, concerns and ideas with both home organization and its clinical supervisor as well as practice leadership and behavioral health director as needed
Collaborates with team members to identify, suggest and implement practice improvement initiatives
Ensures that patient confidentiality and rights are protected in accordance with regulations and hospital policies
Consistently attends and participates in clinical and administrative supervision
Accepts all referrals from provider unless truly out of scope of license or beyond the clinician’s expertise with inability to acquire needed knowledge or skills in time
Provides patient assessment featuring a clear diagnostic, case formulation and initial plan, monitoring for acute risk factors at each session and intervening when necessary
Builds rapport quickly with patient
Ensures that patients understand their rights regarding informed consent and risks and benefits of treatment
With patient consent, involves collateral parties such as family and external treatment providers as clinically indicated
Collaborates with patient on the behavioral health plan of care
Ensures that the behavioral health plan of care aligns well with the overall practice’s plan of care, discussing any contradictory or problematic discrepancies with patient and provider
Defaults treatment approaches to goal-oriented, problem-solving, cognitive-behavioral approaches unless there are documented exceptions to the rule, engaging evidence based measures when appropriate
Focuses treatment on patient skill-building, often giving homework and engaging in skills practice during sessions
Primarily provides short and intermediate-term treatment, leveraging breaks from therapy for the patient to practice new skills and learnings. Schedules check-up visits as indicated
Initiates external referrals when more intensive, specialty or longer-range treatment is indicated
Stays apprised of appropriate clinical and social service resources in the community. Builds positive relationships with contacts within these organizations
Regularly communicates with patient’s provider on relevant clinical developments
Keeps up to date with research and best practices in the field of behavioral health
Remains mindful of ethical issues that arise and seeks peer and supervisory support when needed