POSITION SUMMARY:

The Behavioral Health Consultant (BHC) functions as part of the primary care treatment team. This individual provides behavioral health consultation, assessment and brief intervention to all patients in the primary care behavioral health setting. The BHC will administer and review screenings and assessment tools to identify psychosocial, psychological and developmental struggles. It is the role of the BHC to advocate for all patients and to connect patients and families to community resources as needed. The BHC will uphold the health center mission by assuring the delivery of high quality clinical services that result in better health outcomes, strong consumer satisfaction; and that help maintain the fiscal and operational capacity of the Behavioral Health Department.

Team members are expected uphold the health center mission by assuring that patients receive health care that is competent, caring, and meets with a high degree of satisfaction. In addition, staff must support FPCSN's commitment to the creation of a trauma-informed system of care that continually recognizes and responds to the impact of traumatic stress on all those who have contact with the organization, including children, adults, families, caregivers, and staff. The BHC provides care to patients across the lifespan.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Brief Consultations – Assist primary health care providers in recognizing and treating mental health disorders and psychosocial struggles within the primary care setting.
2. Assess the clinical status of patients referred by primary care providers.
3. Provide options counseling and referral to prenatal care as needed.
4. Collaborate/consult with Nurse Practitioners & other clinical staff regarding all patients seen by Behavioral Health Consultant.
5. Work closely with Providers at the site to identify at risk patients and collaboratively develop plans to prevent further psychological or physical deterioration.
6. Crisis Intervention – Be immediately available to the Family Practice and Counseling Network staff during working hours in the event of any psychiatric emergency.
7. Coordinate care of patients with medical/social work/outpatient and outreach staff to treat and manage patients’ chronic emotional and/or health struggles efficiently and effectively.
8. Refer patients to other levels of care or additional services as needed.
9. Participate in monthly clinical supervision with an IBH Director.
10. Participate in monthly clinical/administrative group supervision within Integrated Behavioral Health Department.
11. Attend and participate in team meetings, case conferences and interdisciplinary work groups/huddles as scheduled within primary care/behavioral health departments.
12. Ability and cooperation to provide BHC coverage at other clinic sites as needed and requested by Director.
13. Maintain competencies in mental health as required by all licensing and funding entities; maintain PA license to practice.
14. Charting - Utilize electronic medical record to document all patient interactions and complete all charting required by contracted funding sources to include assessments, progress notes and billing in a timely fashion.
15. Productivity – Meet productivity standards as established by the corporation
16. Member of Family Practice and Counseling Network’s Multi-disciplinary Team- Attend and participate in meetings and quality improvement activities as required.
17. Respond to patient or co-worker complaints and work toward a positive resolution of any dispute.
18. Serve as a member of site committees as requested.
19. Participate in evaluation of peers and support staff when requested.

EXPERIENCE AND REQUIREMENTS:
Candidates should possess a diverse range of skills and experience including but not limited to:

Required Education and Experience

• Masters in Social Work, Ph.D./Psy.D. in Psychology, or a related field.
• Current Pennsylvania licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, or Licensed Professional Counselor.
• Excellent working knowledge of behavioral medicine and evidence-based treatments for medical, behavioral, and mental health conditions.
• Maintain and uphold Social Work/Psychology ethical and legal guidelines.
• Ability to work with a culturally diverse population.
• Minimum of one year of post-graduate clinical experience in a behavioral health or related setting.

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Ability to make quick and accurate clinical assessments of mental and behavioral health conditions via brief patient contact.
2. High level of comfort in working with primary care medical providers using a consultative style.
3. Ability to complete clinical documentation with concise, clinically relevant information in a timely fashion.
4. Demonstrates good time management skills and follow through.
5. Ability to design effective psycho-education curricula and lead effective psycho-educational group visits.
6. Ability to work effectively as a team, interfacing with patients, primary care providers, behavioral health staff, as well as with administrative and support staff.
7. Ability to exercise balanced judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions, and to handle difficult or confrontational situations in a calm, consistent, and equitable manner
8. Ability to effectively represent health center’s interests in the community and maintain effective working relationships among co-workers, public, private, and professional groups.
9. Ability to create a space for staff and those we serve to feel physically and emotionally safe.
10. Ability to support individuals on their paths to recovery and healing and resist re-traumatization of staff and patients.
11. Demonstrate exemplary problem-solving, communication, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills.

Other Qualifications

• Ability to pass required background screenings and credentialing verifications.
• Required Immunizations: Hep B Vaccination and TB/PPD Test.
• Optional Immunizations: COVID Vaccination and Flu Vaccination. 
• Current valid CPR Certification required.
• Maintain current valid applicable position credentials.
• Must be willing to work on-site and hybrid as per telehealth guidelines.

Lifting Requirements

LIGHT – Exerting up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. The use of arm and/or leg control requires force greater than sedentary, but worker still sits majority of time.

Physical Requirement

• Stand or Sit (stationary position)
• Walk
• Use hands or fingers to handle or feel (operate, activate, prepare, inspect, position)
• Climb (stairs/ladders)
• Talk/Hear (communicate, converse, convey, express/exchange information)
• See (detect, identify, recognize, inspect, assess)
• Pushing or Pulling
• Repetitive Motion
• Reaching (high or low)
• Kneel, Stoop, Crouch or Crawl (position self, move)

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

Equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, and veteran or disability status.

VISA SPONSORSHIP:

FPCSN does not provide Visa Sponsorship. All candidates must be US Citizens and/or authorized to work in the United States without Sponsorship.

ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT:

FPCSN is committed to maintaining a professional and welcoming environment for all staff and patients. We support continuous learning and team development that enhances cultural understanding, service excellence, and workplace collaboration.