Behavioral Health Specialist

Pace Ri; Rhode Island; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Pace Ri in Rhode Island is seeking a Behavioral Health Specialist to provide assessment, diagnosis, and therapeutic intervention for PACE program participants. The incumbent reports to the Social Work & Behavioral Health Manager and collaborates with an interdisciplinary team.

Ideal candidates hold a Master’s degree in a closely related clinical field and licensure (LMHC or LICSW). Responsibilities include counseling, care coordination, documentation, and participation in program initiatives to

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW), Mental Health Counseling, Clinical Psychology, or a closely related clinical field required.
• Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) is required.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate participants referred by the IDT via records, interviews, and observations; use assessment tools as needed.
• Assess participants, develop diagnoses, and recommend treatment plans.
• Counsel participants individually or in groups as part of the treatment plan.
• Guide participants in developing skills and strategies to address problems.
• Evaluate counseling effectiveness and progress toward objectives.
• Act as a behavioral health resource to the social work team and IDT.
• Provide crisis intervention as needed.
• Maintain confidentiality and document in the EHR with required reports.

Skills

Confidentiality

Independent judgement

English literacy

MS Office

Education

MSW or related field

Job description

Description

Job Summary

Behavioral Health Specialist is held by an LICSW or master’s prepared professional with licensure for mental health counseling. Provides assessment, diagnosis, and therapeutic intervention for participants of the PACE program. Reports to the Social Work & Behavioral Health Manager.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Evaluate participant referred by the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) via record review, interviews with IDT members, observation, and interview with participant and possibly family or other caregivers. Use of assessment tools as needed.
• Assess participant, develop a working diagnosis and/or problem list and recommend a treatment plan.
• Counsel participants, individually and/or in group sessions as part of the treatment plan.
• Guide participants in the development of skills and strategies for dealing with their problems.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of counseling programs and participants' progress in resolving identified problems and moving towards defined objectives.
• Act as a behavioral health resource to the social work team and IDT.
• Participate in organizational behavioral health projects and meetings as requested.
• Conduct behavioral health screenings utilizing program-approved assessment tools, assist in determining participants' behavioral health risk level and appropriate Behavioral Health Tier, and collaborate with the Behavioral Health team, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Social Workers, and Interdisciplinary Team to develop, coordinate, and monitor individualized behavioral health interventions.
• Provide recommendations for integration of care goals and maintenance care into the participant care plan at end of treatment.
• Ensure shared goals of care are communicated and documented for integration of care, problem solving and improved outcomes.
• Provide staff education and support as requested.
• Gather information about community mental health needs and resources that could be used in conjunction with therapy.
• Identify need for caregiver support and notify Social Worker as appropriate. Identify additional resources for caregiver support and facilitates as needed.
• Provide crisis intervention as needed.
• Attend professional development conferences and maintain current licensure in the State of RI. Stay informed of developing trends in geriatric behavioral health practice.
• Maintain confidentiality of records relating to participants' treatment.
• Document in the EHR and maintain all required treatment records and reports.
• Required to work at all PACE-RI sites as necessary as well as in the community as needed.
• Adhere to all policies and procedures.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the importance of clear, thorough documentation as crucial to good participant care; completes and enters accurate, thorough participant documentation in the electronic health record; enters documentation for assessments, orders, and notes within required timeframes.
• Performs other related duties as required and assigned.

Requirements

Required Skills & Abilities:

• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to exercise independent judgement.
• Ability to read write and comprehend English.
• Must be able to maintain sound judgement under stress and the ability to communicate effectively with members of a variety of professional disciplines in complex circumstances.
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite or related software.

Education Requirements

• Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW), Mental Health Counseling, Clinical Psychology, or a closely related clinical field required.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to tolerate prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 10 pounds and at times up to 20 pounds.
• Must be able to navigate various departments of the organization's physical premises as well as related community care settings.
• Must be able to tolerate conditions typically associated within a medical office and/or home care setting including potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens and infectious diseases.

Experience

• 5 Years of Direct Service Work, Required
• 1 to 2 Years of Experience in a Medical or Geriatric Setting, Required
• 1 to 3 years of EMR Experience, Preferred

License & Certification Requirements

• Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Required.
• Rhode Island Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, Preferred.

Position Requirements

• Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW), Mental Health Counseling, Clinical Psychology, or a closely related clinical field required.
• Driver's License & access to reliable transportation: community-based travel required.

Management Responsibility: No

Time & Attendance Responsibility: No