Behavioral Health Consultant Pediatrics Clackamas

Kaiser Permanente; Oregon; On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health organization is seeking a Behavioral Health Consultant to provide integrated care to pediatric and adult patients. In this role, you'll offer assessments and interventions for a range of mental and physical health problems while collaborating closely with primary care teams. The ideal candidate will possess specialized training and be adept at functioning in high-volume, fast-paced environments, ensuring comprehensive treatment plans are executed effectively.

Qualifications

• Expertise in biopsychosocial models for patient assessment.
• Ability to perform interventions for mental health issues.
• Experience working with diverse patient populations.

Responsibilities

• Apply knowledge of human behavior for patient care assessments.
• Provide interventions in a time-limited setting for mental health problems.
• Train primary care team on mental health and behavioral medicine.

Skills

Biopsychosocial Models

Patient Assessment

Counseling Techniques

Communication

Crisis Management

Education

Master's degree in Psychology or related field

Tools

Electronic Health Records

Job description

Job Summary:

The Behavioral Health Consultant (BHC) provides expert integrated care to pediatric and adult patients as a member of the Primary Care Medical Home or Specialty Care treatment team. They specialize in brief, evidence-based, solution-focused assessments and interventions geared toward functional improvement. BHCs are generalists, providing high volume services from a population-based lens that are accessible, team-based, and a routine part of primary care. This is a behavioral health model that is interconnected with patients' medical care and medical care team that requires specialized training and experience with a variety of medical and mental health concerns. In addition, this role performs high-level consultation to physicians and other medical care team members and contributes to a clear treatment plan for patient care. The BHC functions effectively in a fast-paced, highly productive setting with the ability to successfully pivot from a patient-facing to a physician-facing role throughout the day. The BHC thrives on being adaptable, flexible, and able to independently function at a consistently high level. The individual in this position must be willing to engage in brief visits (e.g., 15-30 mins) at a high volume, and be adept in working closely with PCPs and other team members. Other required skills and duties are outlined below.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Apply solid working knowledge of biopsychosocial models of human behavior and development for assessment of patient care, including knowledge of adult and pediatric screening instruments, and the ability to screen for and identify substance abuse problems.
• Apply first-line interventions in a time-limited setting for a broad spectrum of physical and mental health problems experienced by patients and families throughout the lifespan, including those presenting in primary care (pediatrics, Internal Medicine, and Family Medicine) or Specialty Care (ob/gyn, dermatology, cardiology, etc.). Targets of treatment may include mental health concerns, substance abuse, adverse health behaviors, stress-related physical symptoms, ineffective health care utilization, and adjustment to medical conditions.
• Provide patient and family education effectively and sensitively to encourage compliance with medical and behavioral treatment plans, including discussing common psychotropic medications, their indications, effects, and side effects, and appropriately recommending medication initiation to primary care physicians.
• Utilize electronic health records and verbal communication to concisely communicate relevant information to medical providers in a timely manner. Document concurrently during patient sessions, and perform clinical, compliance, and administrative duties to meet billing and documentation requirements.
• Assess for and manage suicidal and homicidal risks, concerns for child or elder abuse and neglect, using evidence-based methods (e.g., PHQ-9, Columbia Risk Assessment). Collaborate with crisis teams, contact emergency services, and communicate effectively with receiving emergency departments when applicable.
• Provide consultation and training to primary care team members in mental health, chemical dependency, and behavioral medicine.