MBH Behavioral Health Consultant II

Memorial Home Services; Chatham (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Memorial Health System is seeking a licensed mental health clinician in Illinois to provide direct clinical services to adults with serious mental illness, conducting comprehensive assessments, DSM-5 informed treatment planning, and referrals.

You will document encounters in the EHR, collaborate with primary care providers, monitor symptoms, provide crisis response, and participate in supervision, with evening/weekend hours as needed.

Qualifications

• Master's degree required in social work, psychology, or counseling.
• Licensure as LCPC, LCSW, or LMFT required.
• Two years of experience with SMI/SED population preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive patient assessments and document findings.
• Provide a minimum of 25 hours of billable clinical services per week.
• Collaborate with primary care providers to discuss treatment options.
• Assess and respond to suicidal or severe psychiatric symptoms with crisis intervention.
• Coordinate referrals and documentation in accordance with agency policies.
• Organize therapy groups as assigned.

Skills

Clinical documentation

Electronic Health Records

DSM-5 knowledge

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Social Work, Psychology, or Counseling

Tools

EHR system

Job description

Education:

• Minimum Master's in Social Work, Psychology, or Counseling required, preferably in social services field.Minimum age of 21.

Licensure/Certification/Registry:

• LCPC, LCSW, or LMFT licensure required

Experience:

• Two years previous experience with SMI/SED population preferred. Verifiable history of providing quality care to patients as indicated by references or demonstrated by internal work history.

Other Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Must have computer and keyboarding skills required by position. Must have valid IL driver's license, reliable transportation, and proof of automobile insurance. Must pass background checks and drug screen. Must be comfortable documenting within electronic health records.

Responsibilities:

Direct Clinical Services

• Conduct comprehensive patient assessments, including administration of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) screening tools.
• Develop comprehensive assessment data, including presenting concerns, mental status, psychiatric, medical, and developmental history, to support DSM-5 diagnosis, treatment planning, and appropriate referrals.
• Provide a minimum of 25 hours of billable clinical services per week.
• Collaborate with patients and primary care providers to discuss treatment options, preferences, and initiation of treatment plans.
• Monitor patients for changes in symptom severity and medication side effects; provide education regarding medications and encourage treatment adherence.
• Utilize behavioral activation techniques as an adjunct to other evidence-based treatments.
• Provide evidence-based, brief structured psychotherapy, including Problem-Solving Therapy for Primary Care (PST-PC).
• Participate in regular caseload supervision with the treatment team and identify patients who are not demonstrating adequate improvement or symptom reduction.
• Coordinate communication among patients, primary care providers, and consulting psychiatrists and provide recommendations regarding modifications to treatment plans.
• Document all patient encounters and clinical services in accordance with organizational policies and procedures.
• Assess and respond to patients experiencing suicidal, homicidal, or severe psychiatric symptoms by implementing appropriate crisis and pre-crisis intervention procedures.
• Make appropriate referrals to consulting psychiatrists, inpatient psychiatric facilities, or other community resources when necessary to maintain patient safety and prevent further destabilization.
• Obtain information from collateral contacts, previous and current treatment providers, and significant others to support comprehensive assessment and ongoing treatment planning.
• Establish priority problems, treatment goals, and appropriate session limits in accordance with agency policies and patient needs.
• Utilize a variety of evidence-based psychotherapeutic approaches and interventions to address targeted behaviors and promote stabilization and improved functioning among individuals, couples, and families.
• Coordinate termination of services and discharge planning to support patients in maintaining treatment gains and utilizing appropriate ongoing support services.
• Organize, plan, and facilitate therapy groups for patients and/or their families as assigned.

Patient Information and Documentation

• Maintain accurate and complete patient records, including comprehensive assessments, progress notes, treatment objectives, treatment plans, prior treatment records, and required consents and releases of information.
• Complete required administrative and clinical documentation in accordance with organizational policies and procedures.
• Collect and maintain information necessary for billing and fee collection for community mental health and private-pay patients.
• Provide appropriate patient information to other agencies and healthcare providers to facilitate continuity and coordination of care.
• Prepare required documentation and reports for the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) as needed.

Training and Professional Development

• Establish professional development goals with the supervisor to enhance clinical knowledge and job-related skills.
• Participate in agency meetings, committees, special projects, staff meetings, and in-service training to support professional development and effective service delivery.
• Complete mandatory education and training requirements within established deadlines.
• Maintain current professional knowledge and skills through continuing education, training, and participation in organizational learning opportunities.

Consultation and Collaboration

• Collaborate effectively with members of the treatment team and other agency personnel to support coordinated and effective patient care.
• Provide and receive professional support, clarification of responsibilities, and guidance regarding office procedures in accordance with professional judgment and organizational policies.
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with patients' families, physicians, public officials, community organizations, and other external agencies to support patient care and the development of community mental health services.
• Communicate directly with supervisors regarding administrative policies, program evaluation, clinical concerns, and other matters affecting effective service delivery.

Professional Standards and Organizational Expectations

• Demonstrate initiative and active participation in clinical supervision and professional development.
• Adhere to Memorial Health System and Memorial Behavioral Health standards, policies, procedures, and behavioral expectations.
• Demonstrate the Memorial Health System Performance Excellence Standards of Safety, Courtesy, Quality, and Efficiency in all aspects of job performance.
• Prioritize patient and workplace safety and take appropriate action to prevent harm.
• Treat patients, families, coworkers, and community partners with dignity, respect, professionalism, and courtesy.
• Continually develop knowledge, skills, and performance to improve patient outcomes and service quality.
• Use organizational time, resources, and equipment responsibly and efficiently while minimizing unnecessary delays and waste.
• Maintain flexibility to accommodate evening and weekend hours as required by program and patient needs.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned based on organizational and agency needs.