BH31 - Behavioral Health Counselor - Full Time - 40 Hours/Week - Union (BH31)

SUMMARY OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

ECS Behavioral Health Counselors provide outreach and eligibility services to support individuals who may be eligible for Medi-Cal or are Medi-Cal enrolled but not yet receiving SMHS.  Counselors also provide Community Client Services to enhance or expand the knowledge and skills of agency staff in meeting the needs of mental health clients through training and technical assistance.  Staff can provide community education events, including orientation sessions to referral sources to build community knowledge about the ECS BH program.  Staff may also provide non-billable services and supports to individuals receiving SMHS services from ECS Behavioral Health, including but not limited to transportation, community resources research, vocational coaching and recreational activities. 

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Provide coaching and support to ECS site staff to help them manage client behaviors and symptoms. 
2. Outreach to individuals who may be eligible for Medi-Cal to inform them about available resources.
3. Outreach to individuals who are enrolled in Medi-Cal but are not engaging in behavioral health services.
4. Identify barriers to program engagement and work to resolve these barriers.
5. Provide community outreach to build knowledge about ECS Behavioral Health services with referral sources and ECS program participants.
6. Meet with program leaders across ECS to describe behavioral health services and resources available to support their clients.
7. Support the referral process, ensuring that ECS programs can easily and quickly refer clients for behavioral health services.
8. Provide non-billable services and supports to individuals enrolled in ECS Behavioral Health’s Specialty Mental Health Services component, including but not limited to transportation, researching community resources, vocational counseling and recreational activities.
9. Attend applicable trainings and bring that knowledge to ECS program sites to enhance and/or expand program staff’s knowledge and skills in the mental health field.
10. Provide Orientation Sessions to referral sources and ECS residential settings to build community knowledge about the Behavioral Health program.
11. Implement resident education sessions about mental health needs and services available through ECS Behavioral Health.
12. Complete financial screenings to determine whether an individual requesting mental health services is likely eligible for the Medi-Cal program
13. Explain Medi-Cal eligibility rules and the enrollment process to individuals requesting mental health services
14. Provide individuals with all the forms that need to be completed and submitted to enroll in Medi-Cal
15. Assist individuals to prepare, complete, and submit all the required forms to the county welfare department to determine Medi-Cal eligibility. 
16. Provide benefits counseling as needed to support eligible individuals to enroll in Medi-Cal.
17. Collaborate with all treatment team members.
18. Achieve a broad understanding of the resources and services available in the community for clients with acute behavioral health needs. 
19. Provide information and referral to clients on an ongoing basis.
20. Part