Behavioral Health Therapist, Integrated Care-Stoneview Internal Medicine Behavioral Health

Behavioral Health Therapist

The Behavioral Health Therapist will provide various outpatient mental health services and interventions with the goal of recovery and remission, including assessments, counseling, development of service plans, referrals, coordination of care. They will serve individuals and their families in addressing social, emotional and economic stresses associated with illness or injury. The Therapist will support an outcomes-oriented patient care delivery system, which places the patient at the center of all activities. The Behavioral Health Therapist Integrated Care Provider is a core member of the outpatient collaborative Behavioral Health care team, including the patients medical provider and psychiatric consultant, as well as the larger primary care team or medical team. The Integrated Behavioral Health Therapist is responsible for supporting and coordinating the mental and physical health care of patients on an assigned patient caseload with the patients medical provider. The Therapist works on a population health level by helping with objective rating scale screenings, while also maintaining a registry of patients. The Therapist also performs direct clinical care by providing brief interventions and counseling for primary care patients including warm handoffs, behavioral health consults, individual/couple/family scheduled sessions, group visits/support groups, and education for staff members. We utilize the Collaborative Care Model, the most evidence-based model, for integrating behavioral health into primary and specialty care settings.

Support the mental and physical health care of patients on an assigned patient caseload. Closely coordinate care with the patients medical provider and meet weekly with consulting psychiatrist to review patient progress. Communicate psychiatric recommendation back to the primary provider. Screen and assess patients for common mental health utilizing the PHQ-9, GAD-7, and other validated objective rating scales.

Completes all clinical documentation, i.e. treatment plans, assessments, progress notes, as mandated by regulations and hospital policy for assigned patients accurately and in a timely manner.

Provides psychoeducation and direct advice regarding symptoms of depression, anxiety, and alcohol misuse to patients. This includes the development of a treatment plan for patients and the ability to communicate that plan to the patients primary care provider

Utilize data from the situational analysis, functional assessment, clinical review criteria and the electronic medical record (EPIC/ConnectCare) to identify and prioritize patient supportive care needs.

Facilitate multi-disciplinary plan of care meetings to maintain rapport and communication with the treatment team to monitor and evaluate the plan of care and patient supportive care plan; identify/prioritize problems and adjust as required. Demonstrate leadership by initiating referrals to community agencies as needs are assessed (Adult/Child Protective Services, Med Assist, American Cancer Society, DSS etc.) .

Actively participates in education, case management care coordination, and psychosocial referral and follow up as core components of service. May assist in preparation of behavioral health problem reports, records for an assigned caseload. This may include progress notes, treatments plans, summaries and psycho-socials.

Performs all duties in an independent manner. Seeks guidance and direction, as necessary, and consistently reports to supervisor with any suggestion for changes in policies and procedures that would enhance departmental efficiency. Maintains strict confidentiality of patient information as promulgated in federal law.

Attends and participates in Monthly Team Meetings and Quarterly Multidisciplinary Team meetings.

Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development of the life span and possesses the ability to assess data reflective of the patients status and interprets the appropriate information needed to identify each patients requirements relative to his or her age, specific needs and to provide the care needed as described in departmental policies and procedures.

Facilitates approved support groups ~ once per month or as determined times per month/quarter.

Employment Qualifications

Education Qualifications

Required Minimum Education: Graduate Degree (Masters)

Specialty/Major: Social Work, Counseling, psychology, or related mental health field

Licensing/Certification Required: Active South Carolina Licensure/South Carolina State Board of Social Work. Masters degree in professional counseling from an accredited university, Masters degree from a school of social work or social welfare accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, Licensure as an LISW-CP is required

Minimum Years and Type of Experience: 3 years of experience in counseling in a medical setting/case management

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required: Knowledge of DSM 5 nomenclature, psychotherapy, psychodynamics, therapeutic techniques, interviewing skills, addictions, family and group theories. Age specific and cultural specific needs

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred: Comfortable with phone and telehealth consultations.