Behavioral Health Triage & Crisis Specialist

Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin•Madison, WI

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin (GHC-SCW) is seeking a Behavioral Health Triage & Crisis Specialist to join their team. This is a 1.0 FTE / 40 Hours per Week position with a hybrid work arrangement, allowing for work from both home and the clinic. GHC-SCW is committed to fostering a caring and compassionate environment where individual differences are valued, and all employees, members, and patients feel secure and welcome. The organization emphasizes collaboration, community involvement, innovation, and belonging. The Behavioral Health department is undergoing strategic changes to improve patient access, enhance employee satisfaction, and expand services. The Behavioral Health Triage and Crisis Specialist will assist in providing equitable and quality care for GHC members and patients across the lifespan (children, adolescents, and adults), supporting the GHC Mission to maximize health and well-being. The role involves initial telephone screening, triage, and risk assessments, including safety planning, to determine acuity and appropriate level of care for members seeking mental health and behavioral health services. This position also provides crisis mental health services via telephone, virtual appointments, and in-clinic appointments, as well as hospital and ER follow-up appointments. Additionally, the specialist may provide short-term, solution-focused therapy, consultations, intakes, bridging therapy appointments, and follow-ups for depression screens to support members within the GHC-SCW staff model and those seen in primary care. The role includes counseling, crisis intervention, short-term case management, consultations, and referrals to internal and community resources. The specialist will also act as a consultant for providers dealing with complex psychosocial needs and participate in team projects to improve efficiency, training, and inter-departmental relationships. Day-to-day guidance, consultation, and administrative supervision will be provided by the Behavioral Health Coordinator for Triage and Crisis. The incumbent will be part of the Olin BH Triage and Crisis team, completing documentation in the electronic medical record (EMR) in a timely, patient-oriented, and professional manner per department protocols, and actively participating in case consultations and team meetings.

Requirements

Master's degree from an accredited college or university in a psychotherapy-related field such as Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, or Nursing.
Possession of an appropriate Wisconsin clinical license (e.g., LCSW, LPC, LMFT, Psychologist).
Certification by the State of Wisconsin Medicaid/Health Forward program as a Mental Health Provider required.
Possession of a National Provider Identifier (NPI Number) for health care providers.
Possession of a valid Wisconsin driver license with a good driving record.
Ability to prioritize and organize a diverse workload.
Ability to learn and maintain currency with GHC-SCW policies and procedures.
Ability to maintain patient, organizational and employee confidentiality. Knowledge of HIPAA requirements.
A minimum of two (2) years of experience in the provision of mental health services to ages across the lifespan (children, adolescents, and adults) is required.
Knowledge of and experience with behavioral health triage, crisis assessment and intervention, safety planning and de-escalation skills, and short-term therapy models required.
Proven ability to work in a fast-paced environment without direct supervision is required.
Excellent knowledge, ability, and skills in the provision of professional, evidence-based mental health therapy services including assessment, diagnosis, and treatment (individual, couples, family, and group) across the lifespan.
Knowledge of and ability to apply current mental health theory and practices.
Knowledge of group dynamics and leadership.
Excellent interpersonal skills required.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including active and reflective listening skills required.
Professional manners are necessary to deal courteously and effectively with patients and the public required.
Excellent customer service skills are required.
Excellent problem solving and analytical abilities are required.
Ability to work independently and as an active team member, successfully manage multiple priorities, remain organized, pay attention to details, meet deadlines, and provide timely responses to communications.
Ability to be flexible and adaptable in emergent situations and to changing priorities and assignments is required.
Ability to remain seated and attentive to patient verbalizations for extended periods of time required.
Commitment and proven ability to provide inclusive, equitable, respectful, and competent care to persons of diverse cultural backgrounds and identities.
Ability to learn and use electronic medical record systems such as EPIC.
Ability to chart electronic medical records in a timely, patient-oriented, and professional manner per department and organization protocols.
Access to and ability to use a personal computer with stable access to high-speed internet and video conferencing capacity.
The ability to work some evening hours and after hours on-call is required.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience in an HMO, managed care setting or health care clinic preferred.

Responsibilities

Perform initial telephone screening, triage, and risk assessments, including safety planning.
Determine acuity and appropriate level of care for members seeking mental health and behavioral health services.
Provide crisis mental health services to individuals and families over the telephone and through virtual and in-clinic appointment options.
Provide hospital and ER follow-up appointments.
Provide short-term, solution-focused therapy and/or consults, intakes, bridging therapy appointments, and follow-ups to higher risk depression screens.
Provide counseling and crisis intervention.
Offer short-term case management, consultations, and information and referrals to in-house and community resources.
Act as a consultant for other GHC-SCW providers for individuals with complex psychosocial needs.
Participate in team projects to maintain and improve efficiency, training, and relationships with departments throughout GHC-SCW.
Complete documentation in the electronic medical record in a timely manner per department protocols, and chart in a patient-oriented and professional manner.
Actively participate in case consultations with local and broader behavioral health teams.
Be an active participant in Behavioral Health team and department meetings.
Provide both virtual and in office treatment per department protocols.
Abide by all GHC-SCW organizational and departmental policies.
Set personal standards and strive for high quality work in completing assignments.
Perform job duties in a timely manner.
Represent the organization in a positive manner.
Promote GHC-SCW's Mission, Vision, and Common Values in behavior and attitude.