SHS-POP HEALTH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONSULTANT - LMSW SOCIAL WORKER (IONIA)

Sparrow•Ionia, MI

66d

About The Position

General Purpose of Job: As part of the Population Health Service Organization (PHSO), the Behavioral Health Consultant will participate in the practices with the Sparrow Medical Group (SMG) primary care team to support the coordination of behavioral health care. Common Duties and Responsibilities: Sparrow Health System is building the Integrative Behavioral Health program. The Social Workers work as Behavioral Health Consultants or (BHC’s) consistent with the Primary Care Behavioral Health (PCBH) model. The goal is to integrate behavioral health services into primary care practices to offer services that support the wellbeing of both the patient’s physical and behavioral health. BHC’s receive referrals through warm hand-offs and referrals. The BHC’s may diagnose and address concerns related to an array of conditions which may include depression, anxiety, grief and loss, situational stress, sleep dysregulation, coping with the stressful effects of chronic or acute illness. In addition, the expectation is that the clinician will implement strategies and interventions to manage multiple conditions and/or engage with specialty care for serious and persistent mental health needs. The BHC may see patient for a single intervention in the office or have the opportunity to schedule the patient for short- term focused therapy. This position is a great opportunity to be a valuable part of a multidisciplinary team with physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Physician’s Assistants, RN’s, MA’s, clerical staff, etc.

Requirements

Current LMSW licensure by the State of Michigan; OR LLMSW’s will be considered if licensure exam is passed and the candidate is within 6 months of completing their clinical supervision. Supervision can be provided for the duration of the supervision period.
Knowledge of Michigan’s Mental Health Codes
Minimum of a Master’s Degree in social work
Demonstrated skills in diagnosing psychopathology
Skills in providing individual, group, and family therapy
Proficiency with MS Word, Excel, Project, and Power Point
Demonstrates the ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues at different levels of the business, up through the most senior levels within the enterprise
Ability to establish and maintain a high level of credibility with the patient and primary care team, to clearly articulate complex messages
Ability to create an open environment where conflicts as to methods and priorities can be aired and resolved in an objective manner
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to clearly communicate vision, mission, goals, themes, and key priorities that guide and focus the efforts of others
Able to coordinate and balance requirements between clinical outcomes and administrative activities
Strong collaboration and influence capabilities
Exceptional organizational ability and the ability to achieve goals in the face of multiple pressures
Possesses flexibility to lead in an ever-changing work environment; ability to work with minimal direction and oversight; ability to deal with ambiguity and uncertainty
Superior prioritization, organizational, and management skills
Ability to work independently; resourceful and proactive
Clear and confident communicator internally and with members/external partners
Excellent problem-solving skills, particularly ability to react appropriately “in the moment”
Unyielding attention to detail

Nice To Haves

Experience working in an ambulatory practice
Experience working with Epic

Responsibilities

Provides assessments, crisis interventions, advocacy, support, care management, community referrals, and counseling at the clinic or via a telehealth encounter
Screens and assesses patients for common mental health and substance abuse disorders, with the ability to triage high-risk patients when necessary
Provides brief behavioral interventions using evidence-based psychological techniques such as behavioral activation, problem-solving treatment, motivational interviewing, or other treatments as appropriate
Works with the patient, family, and other members of the health care team to formulate a treatment plan and goals of care
Communicates regularly with all involved parties (patient, family, Specialists, Primary Care Physician, etc.) and updates treatment notes in Epic
Documents in-person and telehealth encounters in Epic, which should include patient progress, treatment recommendations, adherence monitoring and side effects
Provides information about resources and options available in the community and coordinates service delivery
Understanding of legal and ethical issues in primary care
Knowledge of the impact of biologic/medical factors on cognitive and affective functioning
General understanding of the most common conditions treated in primary care, such as chronic pain, Diabetes, COPD, and obesity
Adapts behaviors and goals, in a culturally sensitive manner based on the individual’s background, social situation, experience and wishes
Reports information generated from available sources to support operational, clinical and financial goals/outcomes