Child/Adolescdent Behavioral Health Clinician at Fair Haven Community Health Care – new haven, Connecticut

Fair Haven Community Health Care

For over 54 years, FHCHC has been an innovative and vibrant community health center, catering to multiple generations with over 165,000 office visits across 21 locations. Guided by a Board of Directors, most of whom are patients themselves, we take pride in being a healthcare leader dedicated to delivering high-quality, affordable medical and dental care to everyone, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. Our extensive range of primary and specialty care services, along with evidence-based programs, empowers patients to make informed choices about their health. As we expand our reach to underserved areas, our commitment to prioritizing patient needs remains unwavering. FHCHC's mission is to enhance the health and social well-being of the communities we serve through equitable, high-quality, and culturally responsive patient-centered care.

Job purpose

Responsible for providing behavioral (BH) health care to children and adolescents in an integrated community health clinic. Will provide evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment to children and their families. Will provide treatment including individual, and/or group therapy and brief substance abuse counseling for children and adolescents, and/or family therapy for families, at FHCHC, or will provide appropriate
referrals to other community child and adolescent BH providers.

Duties and responsibilities

The Child/Adolescent Behavioral Health Clinician for Integrated Care is a liaison to pediatricians in a preeminent academic medical center. Typical duties include but are not limited to:

• Facilitate warm handoffs to pediatricians
• Provide mental and BH treatment to children and adolescents in an integrated community healthcare clinic
• Evaluate and diagnose mental, emotional, developmental and behavioral difficulties in children, as well as family dysfunction based on clinical standards of practice
• Work in close partnership with the primary care clinical teams
• Conduct patient screening using standardized tools
• Formulate treatment plans and reviews
• Provide treatment, including individual, group, and/or family therapy, and some substance abuse counseling when necessary
• Provide acute triage services to the primary care clinical teams
• Report to DCF when necessary if neglect or abuse is suspected
• Provide clinical services that are strength based and client centered to children and their families.
• Coordinate with other clinical and social service providers, care coordinators, and patient navigators
• Document all aspects of clinical care in the EHR and in a timely manner
• Participate in professional activities such as: continuing education activities, clinical conferences, meetings with representatives of community groups when required to do so
• Ensure patient confidentiality at all times
• Perform other necessary duties as required by FHCHC to achieve the goal of providing high quality health care

• Master’s degree (M.A., M.F.T., M.S.W.) required. Must have an independent license in the state of CT i.e., LMFT, LPC, LCSW, or an associate license LPCA, MFTA, LMSW or Psychologist (PhD or PsyD). One year of behavioral health experience, and oral and written fluency in both Spanish and English required.

• Experience working with children, adolescents, and families impacted by ASD or other developmental disabilities is preferred.
• Strong understanding of autism and its impact on development, as well as the ability to adapt therapy methods to individual needs.
• Training, knowledge and ability to independently carry out all the above duties
• Experience in providing clinical services to children and adolescents
• Strong knowledge base of medical terminology/procedures for work in an integrated healthcare clinic desired
• Previous experience in health care setting, ideally in an integrated outpatient setting desired
• Ability to work in a high energy, fast paced environment and maintain a professional demeanor and attitude
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with patients, their families, internal and external staff

American with Disabilities Requirements:

External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled, must be able to perform the essential job specific functions (listed within each job specific responsibility) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by the organization on a case by case basis.

Fair Haven Community Health Care is an Equal Opportunity Employer. FHCHC does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.