Program Specialist DayBridge Mental Health

HealthPartners•Saint Paul, MN

About The Position

HealthPartners is hiring a Program Specialist to join the Regions Behavioral Health team at the DayBridge Partial Hospitalization Program. Under the direct supervision of an LICSW, the Program Specialist provides psychosocial and psychiatric assessment, treatment planning, referrals, and social work services to clients and families. The role supports clients experiencing mental illness and/or substance use disorders through therapeutic programming, safety care plans, review of individualized treatment goals, and trauma-informed de-escalation for client safety and milieu management. The specialist also provides education to other health care professionals on psychosocial aspects of patient care and performs other duties as assigned. The position includes monitoring clients, supporting therapeutic activities, documenting services in the EMR, coordinating with the care team and third-party payers, and helping clients develop skills for greater independence and psychiatric stability. It also involves patient and family education, care coordination, crisis response, and connecting clients with community programs and services. The work schedule is four weekday shifts from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Requirements

Master of Social Work (MSW) from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work (CASSW), or a similar accreditation body designated by the Minnesota Board of Social Work.
Licensure as an LGSW through the Minnesota Board of Social Work.
BLS/CPR certification.
Knowledge of social work values, principles, and methodologies.
Ability to integrate social, medical, and psychotherapeutic data to make psychosocial assessments and implement social work treatment plans.
Knowledge of psychiatric, psychosocial, and chemical health diagnoses based on DSM IV-TR classification.
Knowledge of social work treatment methodologies.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients, families, co-workers, and community organizations.
Sensitivity to cross-cultural issues.
Knowledge of county, state, and federal regulations regarding health care funding, civil commitments, child abuse, vulnerable adults, and related matters.
Knowledge of community resources.
Ability to support and educate other disciplines when appropriate.
Ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary team.

Nice To Haves

Previous health care or social work experience.

Responsibilities

Assist with screening and assessment, safety planning, therapeutic interventions, and evaluation of client responses under the direct supervision of an LICSW.
Monitor clients in person or virtually, including continued-stay criteria, suicidality, fall risk, medical concerns, and related medication-management assistance.
Verbally report client status and changes in condition to DayBridge team members during the shift.
Facilitate or co-facilitate therapeutic interventions through structured activities, education, or individual sessions according to client and milieu needs.
Use motivational interviewing during therapeutic individual sessions and document the encounters.
Prioritize client and program activities and use time effectively to meet client and program needs.
Accurately and comprehensively document client services in the EMR, including assessments, transfer notes, billing, templates, and flow sheets according to department policies.
Contact third-party payers to obtain or confirm service authorization and communicate requested clinical information.
Support clients with mental illness in developing and maintaining skills for independent community living, psychiatric stability, social competency, and personal and emotional adjustment.
Attend daily team rounds, collaborate with the mental health care team, report client progress, and update treatment plans.
Work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team with patients, families or support systems, and other care team members.
Promote client participation in their own care to the greatest possible extent.
Develop and teach strategies for health and wellness, including self-care, symptom management, nutrition, diet, and physical activity.
Document group goals and status, activity, group dynamics, patient response, mental status, symptoms, and participation.
Identify, communicate, and document available client benefits, coverage, or payer information as appropriate.
Locate community programs and services to meet client needs using available resources.
Protect client confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA requirements and Regions Hospital policies and procedures.
Ensure care coordination is client-focused and reflects cultural competence and respect for diverse populations.
Support client autonomy and self-initiation in seeking care.
Collaborate with the RN and care team when unusual incidents or changes in clinical presentation occur.
Prioritize client needs and address urgent and emergent issues.
Help proactively prevent or reduce triggers that recreate client stress.
Manage crisis situations using sound judgment, critical thinking, verbal de-escalation, and physical intervention techniques.
Assist with behavior chains, egregious protocols, or other behavioral interventions.
Work closely with higher-level-of-care therapists on client care.
Perform other duties as assigned.