Senior Behavioral Health Referrals Associate

University of Texas at Austin•Austin, TX

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

This is a state-funded position sponsored by the Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium (TCMHCC). TCMHCC was created by the 86th Texas Legislature to leverage the expertise and capacity of the health-related institutions of higher education to address urgent mental health challenges and improve the mental health care system in this state in relation to children, adolescents, and perinatal women. The University of Texas Dell Medical School is a Health Related Institution (HRI) for the TCMHCC. The Senior Behavioral Health Referrals Associate will work as part of the External Relations and Education Team that supports all Dell Medical School Texas Child Mental Health programs, including the Perinatal Psychiatry Access Network (PeriPAN) and Child Psychiatry Access Network (CPAN), Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine (TCHATT), Youth Aware of Mental Health (YAM), and other related mental health programs. CPAN and PeriPAN provide primary care clinic providers and OBGYNs prompt access to on-call psychiatrists to provide expertise in assessment, treatment, and referrals for pediatric and/or perinatal patients identified as having a mental health challenge. TCHATT provides telemedicine or telehealth programs to school districts to help identify and assess the behavioral health needs of children and adolescents and provide access to mental health services. YAM is a school-based program for students in eighth through 12th grades to learn about and explore the topic of mental health. This position has an end date of 8/31/2027, but may be renewable based upon availability of funding, work performance, and progress toward goals. Funding is expected to continue. A flexible working arrangement agreement can be accommodated based upon the needs of the program and with supervisor approval. This position may require occasional work on-site for some of the scheduled work week. Remote work will require reliable internet access and a suitable private workspace free from distractions. The purpose of this role is to support mental health programs and initiatives developed through the Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium, with a focus on improving the quality and accessibility of mental health care for children and adolescents across Texas. The Senior Behavioral Health Referrals Associate will work as part of an interdisciplinary, team-based program that coordinates referrals for the Texas Child Mental Health Clinical Programs, including the Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine (TCHATT) program, the Perinatal Psychiatry Access Network (PeriPAN), the Child Psychiatry Access Network (CPAN), and similar programs. Reporting to the Supervisor, Referrals and External Relations, the Senior Behavioral Health Referrals Associate will coordinate referrals for the Texas Child Mental Health Clinical Programs. This position will have the ability to interact with peers, patients’ families, and other program partners.

Requirements

Requires a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Counseling, or a related field with at least 3 year(s) of related work experience
Ability to communicate with others in a clear, understandable, and professional manner on the phone and in person.
Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
Customer Focus: Understands and meets the needs of internal and external customers; builds strong relationships and delivers solutions that create customer satisfaction. Responds promptly and professionally to provider inquiries and family concerns. Anticipates patient and provider needs and proactively offers solutions. Maintains empathy and patience when resolving referral delays or issues.
Organizing: Arranges information and resources effectively; manages time and priorities to meet deadlines. Tracks multiple referrals simultaneously without errors. Maintains accurate and updated records in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) and referral database. Prioritizes urgent referrals while ensuring routine cases are processed efficiently.
Problem Solving: Identifies issues, analyzes information, and develops practical solutions. Troubleshoots referral delays and coordinates with internal and external parties to resolve barriers. Adjusts processes when encountering systemic challenges in referral networks.
Interpersonal Savvy: Builds rapport and maintains effective relationships across groups; communicates tactfully and professionally. Collaborates effectively with pediatric psychiatrists, psychologists, and administrative staff. Communicates clearly with families and school personnel regarding referral details. Handles sensitive conversations with discretion and awareness.
Priority Setting: Focuses on critical tasks and allocates time and resources to achieve goals efficiently. Quickly identifies high-priority referrals and acts accordingly. Balances competing demands from providers, families, and program requirements. Uses judgment to escalate urgent cases to leadership when necessary.
Functional/Technical Skills: Possesses and applies technical knowledge and skills required for the role. Navigates EMR systems accurately to update and communicate referral information. Understands referral protocols for TCHATT, CPAN, and PeriPAN programs. Maintains compliance with privacy and data security standards.

Nice To Haves

1 year of professional experience in care coordination or case management.
Proficient PC skills with emphasis on Excel.
Health plan or provider order entry experience.
Knowledge of medical and mental health terminology and/or medical coding.
Spanish fluency.

Responsibilities

Uses assembled information concerning a patient’s clinical background to determine the most appropriate referral(s).
Manages and tracks patient referrals, ensuring all records are provided promptly and accurately.
Maintains updated records of referrals, ensuring all data is accurately documented.
Contributes to and maintains a list of needed referrals.
Works on the referrals team using an interprofessional model that includes pediatric psychiatrists, psychologists, other licensed mental health professionals, and administrative staff.
Uses the Electronic Medical Record to communicate referral information to team members, patients, families, and school staff, ensuring accuracy of all assigned records.
Answers provider inquiries regarding the referral process and provides necessary information and support.
Follows up with providers and care coordinators to support patients and families in resolving any issues or delays in the referral process.
Engages in community outreach to expand and enhance a database of community providers who accept referrals from TCMH programs.
Conducts searches for referral resources.
Assists with special projects related to referral process improvement.
Participates in community events or health fairs to promote referral programs and resources.
Supports team lead in providing training or orientation to new staff on referral workflows and systems.
Supports development of educational materials for providers, patients, and families regarding referral processes.
Participates in periodic audits or quality assurance initiatives.
Adheres to internal controls and reporting structure.
Performs related duties as required.