Behavioral Health Specialist, Trans and Gender Diverse Youth Program

Description

Under the general supervision of the Clinical Lead of Adolescent Services, the Behavioral Health Specialist - Trans Youth and Families, provides and coordinates support, counseling as a primary care behavioral health provider, advocacy and referrals to community resource services to medical department patients. This position supports the transgender health program, engages medical patients in care and supports patients in achieving wellness. This position will have a focus on working with transgender youth, and will support the development of the transgender health program’s ability to work with TGD youth/families. 

Representative Duties:

Provides direct case coordination services to medical patients

• Upon referral of patients, reviews medical and psychosocial history, assesses problems and refers patients as appropriate in a timely, courteous manner 
• Provides case coordination services to medical department patients as indicated 
• Provides information to patients about available community resources and assists patients to determine eligibility and obtain services by giving resource list and/or contacting services directly 
• Provides on-going supportive maintenance to patients as appropriate and conducts outreach to encourage clients to utilize further needed services 
• Provides referrals and information to Trans Youth for medical affirming services and social support services 

Provides direct behavioral health services to primary care clients

• Provides psychosocial assessments, behavioral health and substance use diagnostic evaluations for medical patients 
• Provides direct behavioral health treatment to medical patients through a short-term, evidence-based psychotherapeutic treatment model within the primary care setting 
• Identifies high-risk psychosocial factors that impact health status; engages patients by phone and in person to monitor progress, build therapeutic alliance, provide education, encourage treatment adherence, mitigate risk factors, review goals and expectations of treatment in order to stabilize functioning 
• Develops and provides group therapeutic interventions for medical patients 
• Assumes essential role in coordination of care 
• Adheres to NASW Code of Ethics 
• Provide general integrated services to assist/provide coverage for the Behavioral Health Specialist team 
• Adheres to WPATH Standards of Care Version 7 

Child/Adolescent Care (if applicable)                                                                                   

• Demonstrates an understanding of the developmental milestones of children/adolescents 
• Demonstrates an understanding of development of gender identity and sexual orientation in children/adolescents  
• Demonstrates an understanding of the needs of children/adolescents with mental health issues 
• Demonstrates an understanding of the needs of children/adolescents with addiction issues  
• Demonstrates an understanding of the child’s/adolescent’s role within a family system 
• Demonstrates an understanding of the needs of children/adolescents who at TGD 
• Demonstrates effective and age-appropriate clinical interventions with youth and families 
• Completes CANS assessments as required 

Focus on Working with Transgender Youth

• Provide group services for parents and youth 
• Provide diagnostic assessments and case coordination, engaging all relevant systems in youth and family’s lives 
• Support obtaining gender affirming services 
• Provide short-term counseling re: coming out, hormone readiness/preparation, gender identity, community connection and informal resources 
• Ongoing caseload of variable duration in care to support medical providers and other team members with providing comprehensive care 
• Provide curbside consults for all therapists and medical providers 
• Develop more strategic partnerships with other behavioral health, social service and community- based support on behalf of TGD youth and families, and especially for younger children 

Ensures access to care:

• Effectively manages caseload, including bringing new clients into BH care and ending episodes of care as appropriate 
• Maintains required caseload and meets productivity expectations, according to department standards 
• Maintains same-day or next day appointment availability to respond to urgent needs related to diversion or crisis work 

Provides coverage for assigned open access paging days:

• Provide back-up coverage open access pager shifts in the morning, afternoon, and evening 
• Responds to requests from medic