Behavioral Health Consultant (Social Worker) at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon

Job Description:

Oregon Health & Science University

Oregon Health & Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We are proud of our commitment to being an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization that does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any protected class status, including disability status and protected veteran status. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply. To request reasonable accommodation contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Department at 503-494-5148 or aaeo@ohsu.edu.

Location: US-OR-Portland
Req ID: 2021-10544
Position Category: Hospital/Clinic Support
Position Type: Regular Part-Time
Job Type: AFSCME union represented
Department: Connected Care Center
Salary Range: $34.83- $47.83 per hour, commensurate with qualifications, experience and internal equity
Schedule: Monday through Friday
Hours: 0830 to 1700
HR Mission: Healthcare


Department Overview

The Behavioral Health Consultant (BHC) position is a behavioral health provider who operates in a consultative role within the Connected Care Center C3, working to support a smooth interface between primary care and specialty services including the OHSU Long Covid Clinic, and provides point of care behavioral interventions to the C3 patient population.

The BHC role is to detect and address a broad spectrum of behavioral health needs in the patient population with the aim of early identification, quick resolution, long-term prevention and wellness for as many patients as possible. The BHC functions as a core member of the C3 care team, providing consultative services for behavioral health issues related to physical health conditions. The BHC performs assessment, management, and triage of psychological and social problems in clinic patient population.

This position involves a high degree of clinical complexity and advanced level skill in delivering evidence-based interventions targeted to improve wellbeing health for a large variety of patients with emotional and behavioral problems commonly seen in a primary care setting. The work includes the BHC meeting with patients for a single visit, providing recommendations to the care team to enhance the patient's care plan, and working with patients for a longer period of time to provide on-going skills training and coaching to improve health and functioning. The BHC also seeks to support a smooth coordination of care with community partners and completes short-term case management for patients during their episodes of care.

The BHC will work within established practices and procedures with opportunities to participate in the planning, design and implementation of programs. The BHC performs duties with minimal supervision. Work is reviewed for adherence to procedures, regulations, standards and for overall effectiveness. The BHC position is expected to collaborate with behavioral health providers across OHSU Health.

Function/Duties of Position

• Provide Brief Behavioral Interventions - work as a Behavioral Health Consultant, as a full member of the primary care team, acting as a consultant and provider to identify patients with behavioral needs and participate in their care. Provide brief counseling or other behavioral treatments to assist patient in managing their health conditions.
• Assist with case management of patients with multi-level needs and high utilizers of the healthcare system - Maintain contact with patients who have a high level of or acute behavioral health needs to encourage healthy behaviors and to assist with access to appropriate interventions. Collaborate with clinic and C3 RN care managers to effectively care for this subset of patients.
• Be an effective liaison and advocate for clinical patients with other community resources - identify community resources that participate in care of the clinic patient population and maintain sufficient understanding of and communication with these resources to ensure access of clinic patients. Effectively guide patients to these resources when necessary.
• Provide effective training and facilitation of relationships between patient and C3 or between patient and health care provider - consistently utilize professional communication and conflict resolution skills to help resolve conflicts that might arise in the course of medical care.
• Participate in education of health care providers in behavioral health issues and in improving communication skills.
• Participate in community engagement activities as part of the C3 equity core.

Required Qualifications

• Master's Social Work (MSW) required.
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
• Experience in behavioral health counseling and brief short-term therapy strategies and case management is required.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of patient-centered medical home principles, motivational interviewing skills and evidence-based short-term therapy strategies.
• Ability to utilize assessment information and collateral information to conceptualize patient psychopathology.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of behavioral health consultation, including assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, cognitive-behavioral counseling strategies and their application to population-based care for preventive and chronic care issues.
• The ability to exercise sound judgment in appraising situations and making decisions regarding complex physical and behavioral health treatment issues in consultation with the primary care teams.
• Skill in developing effective working relationships with peers, supervisors and professionals in related disciplines.
• Ability to manage complex personal interactions.
• Demonstrated ability to act with minimal supervision on personal initiative using sound clinical judgment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Comprehensive understanding of the interrelationship between medical and psychological systems and their impact on health.
• Skill and expertise in conducting group and individual psycho-educational classes and brief, short-term therapy strategies that will help strengthen the patient's overall physical and mental health. Incorporation of self-management, home-based practice in care planning.
• Experience in documenting clinical activities in a comprehensive, clear, concise fashion on a same day basis. Skill in efficiently organizing time so that unscheduled, same day services are routinely available to care team members.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in regard to patient care information and chart contents as use of patient record and privacy of individuals must be protected to the fullest.
• Ability to maintain documentation in compliance with State, Federal, Professional and Ethical guidelines.
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without accommodation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Training in Primary Care Behavioral Health.
• Experience as a Behavioral Health Consultant in a Primary Care setting.
• Experience as a clinician in primary care or health care setting.

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