Behavioral Health Consultant - Pittsburgh - Full Time

Highmark Health; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization is seeking a Behavioral Health Clinician to join their team. The role involves providing mental health consultation, developing clinical pathways, and advocating for patients. The ideal candidate will have a Master’s degree and experience in counseling, with a focus on improving patient outcomes through effective communication and community linkages.

Qualifications

• At least 2 years of experience with evidence-based counseling.
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).

Responsibilities

• Develops clinical pathways and best practice programs.
• Provides same-day assessment, intervention, and referrals.
• Advocates for challenging or non-compliant patients.

Skills

Counseling

Communication

Advocacy

Education

Master’s degree in a Mental Health Field

Job description

Company :

Allegheny Health Network

Job Description :

GENERAL OVERVIEW:

A Behavioral Health Clinician (BHC) is a member of the core healthcare team who assists care managers in managing the overall health of their enrolled population. The BHC aims to improve recognition, treatment, and management of psychosocial/behavioral problems and medical conditions. They provide clinical mental health consultation services within their scope of practice and participate in managing psychosocial aspects of diseases, applying behavioral principles, and co-managing mental health and substance abuse issues. The BHC is the team's expert for mental health and addiction assessment, intervention, and referrals.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Member of Care Team & Population Health Efforts

• Develops clinical pathways and best practice programs for targeted patient groups
• Participates in staff meetings and trainings
• Provides education on behavioral health and substance abuse to the multidisciplinary team
• Participates in daily huddles to identify behavioral health needs
• Provides population-based care to high-risk patients
• Serves all enrollees, not just those with mental health diagnoses
• Participates in system-wide BHC learning collaborative

Effective Communicator and Change Agent

• Promotes change efforts around mental health and substance abuse
• Documents in the medical record accessible to the team
• Engages patients via phone and in person

Clinical Interventions

• Provides same-day assessment, intervention, and referrals
• Encourages patient participation in treatment planning
• Delivers therapeutic counseling using 15-30 minute interventions
• Focuses on functional outcomes and makes relevant recommendations
• Uses solution-focused, CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and other short-term approaches
• Coordinates with family and support systems (with patient permission)
• Provides brief follow-up and relapse prevention education
• Supports skill-building for health improvement, including group sessions
• Assists in crisis situations and triages to specialty services as needed

Advocacy, Outreach, and Community Linkages

• Advocates for challenging or non-compliant patients
• Re-engages patients not participating in care
• Encourages active patient participation
• Connects patients to community resources addressing social determinants of health

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum

• Master’s degree in a Mental Health Field
• At least 2 years of experience with evidence-based counseling, screening, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health and substance use disorders
• Knowledge of the connection between medical and psychological health
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC); out-of-state license transfer within 60 days of hire
• Current CPR certification (American Heart Association)
• Act 34 Criminal Background Clearance
• Act 33 Child Abuse Clearance
• Act 73 FBI Fingerprinting Criminal Background Clearance

Disclaimer: This description outlines the general duties and responsibilities and may not include all tasks required. Employees must adhere to ethical, legal, and behavioral standards as per company policies.

Compliance: Employees must comply with HIPAA, data security policies, and the company's Code of Business Conduct, including applicable laws and regulations.

Highmark Health and affiliates prohibit discrimination based on protected categories and aim for accessible services. For accessibility assistance, contact [e-mail].