Gero-Behavioral Health Specialist at BestCare Treatment Services Inc – Prineville, Oregon

Job Title: Gero-Behavioral Health Specialist

Position Code: CS-0412

Job Family: Clinical Services

FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt

Reporting Supervisor: MH Clinical Program Manager

Pay Grade: CS4

JOB SUMMARY: The Gero-Behavioral Health Specialist is part of a multi-disciplinary team of behavioral health professionals to provide and coordinate support services for older adults in the community with a wide variety of community stakeholders and partners. The specialist is also responsible for workforce development and community education specific to the needs of older adults in the community. This individual may also provide screening and assessment and/or treatment services to individuals needing mental health treatment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Facilitates referrals for older adults as needed;
• Works closely with other staff as a member of a multi-disciplinary treatment team to achieve the best outcomes for the clients;
• Collaborates and coordinates with a range of community partners, which may include APD, DHS, ODDS, primary care clinics, hospital settings, nursing homes or assisted living facilities, law enforcement, veterans’ organizations, senior centers, CCO and other insurance companies, and faith-based communities;
• Builds partnerships and bridges service gaps with core partners to help overcome barriers to client access;
• Provides complex case consultation with community partners;
• Attends and participates in community meetings with BestCare’s partners and other settings for older adults and people with physical disabilities to help to support the behavioral, physical and social needs of this client population;
• Provides workforce development to direct service and/or primary care providers with the express purpose of:
• Increasing their knowledge about the population of older adults and people with physical disabilities.
• Increasing their ability to access services for older adults and people with physical disabilities.
• Increasing their use of best practices to screen, assess and treat older adults and people with physical disabilities.
• Provides community education to the general public with the express purpose of:
• Promoting health, wellness and resilience.
• Increasing recognition of the signs and symptoms of behavioral health problems in older adults and people with physical disabilities.
• Increasing awareness of local services that provide behavioral health support and how to access these services.
• Maintains accurate documentation of all services in client files in EHR within agency stated timelines;
• Works closely with referral sources, keeping them informed on the progress of the clients, as needed and appropriate to client confidentiality per HIPAA and 42 CFR and Oregon statutes;
• Attends and contributes to staff, team and community meetings;
• Other related duties as assigned.

ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Models BestCare’s mission, vision, and values, promoting integrity, compassion, and collaboration;
• Supports the organization’s commitment to equity, respect, and inclusion, fostering an environment of open-mindedness, cultural awareness and respect for all individuals;
• Aligns department goals with organizational strategic initiatives;
• Complies with Code of Conduct, Business Ethics, Employee Handbook, and all relevant policies and OARs;
• Maintains professionalism, confidentiality, and compliance with HIPAA, 42 CFR, and Oregon statutes;
• Completes assigned training timely and satisfactorily, and attends other seminars, training, and educational opportunities to develop professional skills and abilities;
• Ensures that any required certifications and/or licenses are kept current and renewed timely;
• Works independently and collaboratively as a positive member of the BestCare team;
• Performs other organizational duties as assigned.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES: Must have demonstrated competency or ability to attain competency for each of the following within a reasonable period:

• Follow program policies and procedures for client case management and recordkeeping, and recording information timely and accurately in the client files in accordance with program policies and procedures and applicable OAR’s;
• Proficiency in MS Office 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook), EHR platform, databases, virtual meeting platforms, internet, and ability to learn new or updated software;
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills;
• Strong communication skills (oral and written);
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, accuracy, and follow-through;
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines;
• Critical thinking skills;
• Ability to maintain strict confidence as required by HIPAA, 42 CFR, and Oregon Statutes;
• Ability to build and maintain positive, collaborative relationships with staff and a range of community partners;
• Ability to function well and use good judgment in a high-paced and at times stressful environment;
• Ability to manage conflict resolution and anger/fear/hostility/violence of others appropriately and effectively;
• Ability to work effectively and respectfully in a diverse, multi-cultural environment;
• Ability to work independently as well as participating as a positive, collaborative team member.
• TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED: Standard office equipment including computer/laptop, copy/fax/scanning machine, printer, and telephone or multi-line phone.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work environment is respectful, multi-cultural and inclusive, and the characteristics described above are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The position requires the employee to dress in a manner that meets the standards for professional attire at Best Care or per department-or job-specific requirements (See Dress Code Policy in Employee Handbook). Other working conditions/demands include:

• Primarily indoors (95%) and in-person
• Must wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Must wear attire as prescribed for staff working in Medical Services
• Frequently sits at a desk, stands, walks, bends/stoops, reaches above/below shoulders, uses arms, wrists, hands, and grasps/squeezes
• Occasionally twists, crouches/squats
• Must be able to perform repetitive tasks/motions, have good manual dexterity
• Must be able to lift/carry up to 20 lbs. frequently and push/pull 21-75 pounds occasionally
• Must be able to hear alarms/telephone/audio/normal speaking voice
• Must be able to drive motor vehicle to perform job
• May be exposed to communicable disease

ACCEPTANCE AND EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:

BestCare provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin/ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, marital or family status, age, genetic information, expunged juvenile record, military status or performance of duty in a uniformed service, physical or mental disability, or any other characteristic protected by local, State, or Federal laws, regulations, or ordinances. Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training.

I understand that BestCare’s sources of funding include private grants, government funding, and insurance revenue collected for services provided. Employee salaries, benefits, and all other costs of doing business are paid through these revenue streams; thus, any changes in revenue can have a direct impact on fiscal business decisions that are reviewed annually and may impact this and other positions at BestCare.

I understand that this position requires specific certifications listed above. Upon accepting and starting in this position, I agree to complete any CEU’s that may be required to maintain its active status thereafter. I understand that BestCare will reimburse my costs for this required certification in accordance with the training and development policy guidelines.

I have received, reviewed, and accept the responsibilities outlined above and understand that this does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the business needs for the employer and requirements of the job change.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

Associates Degree or Bachelor’s degree in psychology, counseling required; or to obtain QMHA certification;

For individuals in recovery from substance-use disorder, must have maintained continuous recovery for the previous two years at the time of hire

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS:

QMHA- 1, or QMHP preferred

Must maintain a valid Oregon Driver License or ability to obtain one upon hire and be insurable under the organization’s auto liability coverage policy (minimum 21 years of age and at least 3 years without any DUI or moving violations) and must have a reliable vehicle with adequate insurance to travel as needed

PREFERRED:

Bilingual in English/Spanish a plus