JOB TITLE:       BEHAVIOR HEALTH CONSULTANT

REPORTS TO:    MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES SUPERVISOR

TYPE STATUS:  FULL TIME

1. JOB SUMMARY / OVERVIEW

Provide behavioral health consultation to patients in order to improve psychosocial functioning.   Counsel’s individuals or groups regarding psychological or emotional problems such as stress, substance abuse, or family situations and develops and implements therapeutic treatment plan in medical setting by performing the following duties.

2. PRIMARY DUTIES

Every effort has been made to include all duties; however, the omission of a specific statement of duties does not exclude the duty from the position if the work is similar, related or is a logical assignment of the position.

• Provide comprehensive assessment and diagnosis of behavioral health clients
• Provide effective treatment planning and assisting clients in successfully achieving goals
• Evaluate crisis situations and apply appropriate interventions
• Actively participate in meetings that support PrairieStar’s integrated health care model to provide comprehensive care for clients.
• Assist in the detection of “at risk” patients and development of plans to prevent further psychological or physical deterioration.
• Assist the primary care team in developing case management processes such as the use of guidelines, disease management techniques, case management and patient education to improve self-management of chronic disease.
• Provide assessment, consultation and brief intervention for psychological/psychiatric problems and disorders.
• Provide substance/use abuse evaluation, identification of maladaptive coping strategies, and development of harm reduction strategies.
• Plans and administers therapeutic treatment such as behavior modification and stress management therapy to assist patient in managing symptoms and underlying stressors.
• Change method and degree of therapy when indicated by client reactions.
• Develops appropriate treatment goals and discusses progress toward goals with client such as controlling weight, stress, substance abuse.
• Consults with medical doctor or other clinicians concerning treatment plan and amends plan as directed.
• Documents progress and treatment plan reviews.
• Evaluate crisis situations and apply appropriate interventions.
• Maintains electronic health records and reports in accordance with PrairieStar’s policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

3. EDUCATION / QUALIFICATIONS

• Independently licensed in the state of Kansas (LSCSW, LCPC, LCMFT)
• Must maintain licensing requirements by completing continuing education units or other additional training required by the state.

4. EXPERIENCE / KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS

• Has some knowledge of behavioral medicine and excellent knowledge of evidence-based treatments for mental health conditions
• Ability to work through brief patient contacts as well as to make quick and accurate clinical assessments of mental and behavioral conditions.
• Should be comfortable with the pace of primary care, working with an interdisciplinary team, and have strong communication skills.
• Ability to design and implement clinical pathways and protocols for treatment of selected chronic conditions
• Ability to use independent judgement and to manage and impart confidential information.
• Ability to foster a cooperative work environment.

5. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use the hands and fingers, handle or feel objects, reach with the hands and arms, talk and hear. Specific visions abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.