REPORTS TO: Senior Director of Behavioral Health

INTRODUCTION

Under the supervision of the Senior Director of Behavioral Health, the Mental Health Clinician (MHC) is responsible for, but not limited to, the provision of culturally competent care to patients. The MHC, as part of the primary care treatment team, will triage and provide consultation services to all patients referred by the primary care team. The MHC will deliver brief, consultation -based services to patients and primary care providers (PCPs) using an integrated care model and will provide skill training through psychoeducation and patient education strategies. The MHC is responsible for the clinical and administrative tasks required to deliver quality, safe behavioral health services that are integrated into the primary care setting. By the nature of the profession, the level of assignment will call for a maximum degree of knowledge, professional judgment and ingenuity.

MAJOR DUTIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Supports the health center and organization in contributing to the quadruple aim: improving health outcomes, improving patient experience, supporting care team well-being and the financial sustainability of the organization.

Health outcomes

• Performs patient care and mental health provider duties in a safe way that is compliant with policies and procedures of Unity Health Care. This includes:
  1. Takes clinical histories
  2. Conducts psychosocial and diagnostic evaluations as appropriate
  3. Provides targeted assessment and evaluation, including diagnostic impressions and functional status focused on the presenting problem
  4. Formulates diagnostic and treatment recommendations for patients and present findings to treatment teams (i.e., physicians, social workers, psychologists, and nursing staff as appropriate)
  5. Develops appropriate treatment plan and short-term integrative behavioral health follow-up interventions appropriate for the diagnosis and setting
  6. Provides preventive health education
  7. Referrals to hospitals, specialists, or other providers when needed
• Actively participates in quality improvement initiatives at the Center and seeks to continuously improve the quality of care for their patients.
• Conducts thorough peer reviews and provides constructive feedback to peers
• Documents in the medical chart in an appropriate and timely manner
• Reviews and implements clinical best practices and optimizes CME time to stay up to date
• Collaborates with BH leadership and staff on panel and population management
• Maintains clinical privileges and responds to inquiries in a timely and complete manner
• Updates patient registries as needed to maintain population health

Patient Experience

• Reviews patient experience data with BH director and Medical Director and translates into action steps to ensure a welcoming, patient-centered environment for all patients
• Communicates to patients respectfully and partners with them in their care by spending time actively listening and clearly explaining their recommendations
• Provides culturally competent and high-quality care
• Uses translation services when needed
• Timely in all patient facing duties- visits, returning phone calls
• Responds to patient complaints and works towards resolution for the patient
• Provides excellent customer service and professionalism towards patients
• Maintains a clinical schedule that allows access for patients, including providing sufficient notice for time off, and providing options for patients to be seen when rescheduled on short notice
• Provide concise documentation of care and recommendations in patient's medical record
• Determine the appropriateness of the patient receiving services in the primary care setting, and assisting with implementation of treatment plans
• Formulate behavioral health interventions appropriate to primary care setting
• Provide brief follow ups, including relapse -prevention education
• Teach patients, families, and primary care treatment team, prevention, and treatment techniques
• Works with Health Center staff to ensure continuity and thoroughness of care
• Provide timely and succinct feedback to primary care providers regarding consultations, findings and recommendations
• Promptness to work

Care team well-being

• Embraces team mentality- including building trust, exchanging feedback, and showing appreciation with team members. Leads by example and works closely with others to provide comprehensive, team-based care
• Provides recognition to providers and team members who are performing well
• Teaches and coaches staff members to work at the top of their ability
• Promotes education and skill-building to enhance psychological and physical health
• Has a knowledge of the behavioral consultant model and the ability to define the behavioral consultant role to the primary care team members and patients
• Assists primary health care providers in recognizing and treating patients with mental health concerns
• Participates in student and resident teaching, including with partner hospital
• Attends and actively engages at team, center and organization-wide meetings
• Maintains work-life balance and recognizes when they may be experiencing burnout and takes steps to improve it
• Demonstrates flexibility and agility in working with others to meet the needs of patients

Financial health

• Monitors own productivity and utilization levels and works with behavioral health and health center leadership to identify opportunities to optimize visit volume
• Is willing to see patients if needed (e.g., late patients, walk-in patients) as the schedule and time allows
• Educates patients on the value of a health care visit
• Leverages nursing visits and other staff where appropriate
• Participates in population health efforts
• Works collaboratively with Behavioral Health and Medical Directors to schedule patients to promote access
• Creatively identifies way to improve flow and efficiency in the day
• Locks notes in a timely manner (within 48 hours) and fixes and addresses any outstanding claims

Other duties

• Serves on committee(s) as requested by Senior BH Director, Deputy CMO, or CMO (e.g. Behavioral Health Integration, Behavioral Health QI, etc.).
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's Degree
• Current DC Professional License (social work, professional counseling, psychology, or other relevant mental health license)

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

• Competent in basic psychotherapy skills including assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, active listening
• Able to utilize evidence-based interventions to improve mental health of clients.
• Knowledge about special populations (HIV+, homeless, medically indigent, etc) and diversity/ cultural issues in treatment.
• Ability to work collaboratively with medical health providers in a patient-centered medical home model.
• Ability to use Electronic Health Record software.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

This position reports to the Senior Director of Behavioral Health.

GUIDELINES

The position abides by all rules and regulations set forth by applicable licensing and regulatory bodies, as well as UHC policies and procedures.

PERSONAL CONTACTS

The position requires contact with staff at all levels throughout the organization. There are also external organization relationships that may be a part of the work of this individual.

PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Some walking, standing, bending, and carrying of light items such as books and paper is required.
• Refer to the attached ADA physical Efforts Checklist.

RISKS

The position involves everyday risk and discomforts, which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, meetings, training rooms, and other UHC health Care Sites. The work area is adequately lit, heated, and ventilated. All medical services shall be provided according to medically accepted community standards of care. The employee shall provide evidence of a recent (within the past twelve (12) months) health assessment that includes a PPD and/or chest x-ray results.

The statements contained herein describe the scope of the responsibility and essential functions of this position, but should not be considered to be an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other areas to cover absences or relief to equalize peak work periods or otherwise balance the workload.