Behavioral Health Consultant / Counselor in Medical Clinic

Description

Compensation: 

• Exempt/Salary
• The standard wage range for this role is $82,056 to $99,715 per year
• It may be possible to earn more over time up to $117,395 per year

Work Schedule:

• 40 hours per week
• Monday-Friday
• Day shifts only

Who We Are
 

Unity Care NW is a private, non-profit, federally qualified health center (FQHC) that has been proudly and successfully serving the greater Whatcom County area since 1982. With clinics located in Bellingham & Ferndale, we offer comprehensive primary medical, behavioral health and dental care, as well as pharmacy services to a diverse and often underserved patient population of all ages. Employing more than 300 caring and compassionate employees, our mission is to increase the years of healthy life in the people & communities we serve.

What We Value

• Respect
• Integrity
• Accountability
• Collaboration
• Innovation

We strive to demonstrate our Values in Action in all that we do. We value each individual on our team and aim to onboard a workforce of the very best talent, whose ambitions and values align with ours.

Job Summary

We believe both physical and emotional health are important for overall health and wellness. The Primary Care Behavioral Health (PCBH) model embeds Behavioral Health Consultants (BHCs) into primary care teams to provide immediate, brief, population-focused behavioral health care.  Unlike traditional outpatient therapy, PCBH emphasizes same-day access, short visits, and close collaboration with medical providers.  

The BH Consultant is responsible for improving patient health and increasing well-being through small behavioral changes. This role uses evidence-based interventions during brief consults in a fast-paced, medical clinic environment emphasizing a patient-centered, trauma-informed approach. We are happy to provide on-the-job training and education to support the transition from traditional counseling to working within an episodic model of care such as this.  Job duties include the following:

1. Practices Clinical and Clinical Care Management Skills:

a. Uses a generalist approach to care that encourages high volumes of patient contact.

b. Uses appropriate assessment tools for Primary Care to assist with diagnostic clarification.

c. Limits assessment focus to one referral problem to promote small changes in many patients.

d. Conducts brief life context interview and functional analysis of target problem, combining information to create effective self-management and home-based practices interventions.

e. Assesses patient confidence and motivation in behavior change plan.

f. Ensures follow-up appointments are focused on behavior change plan.

g. Provides groups or classes for a variety of problems.

h. Assists with high utilizers of medical care.

i. Uses 30-minute visits efficiently.

j. Completes treatment episode when improvements noted, and plan is clear.

k. Uses continuity visits and engages in flexible patient contact strategies.

l. Appropriately triages and refers patients to groups, classes, or specialty BH services within and outside of UCNW.

m. Provides basic case management strategies or refers appropriately to case management.

2. Performs Consultation:

a. Focuses on and responds to referral questions from providers.

b. Conducts brief and effective curbside consultation to the work pace of primary care.

c. Describes interventions in transparent language to encourage primary care team support.

d. Focuses on recommendations that reduce medical visits and medical provider/registered nurse (RN) workload.

e. Provides education and presentations to care team members.

f. Researches questions about BH interventions.

g. Assertively follows-up with Primary Care Providers (PCPs) as needed.

h. Participates in development and implementation of workflows in collaboration with medical care teams.

3. Clearly documents chart notes:

a. Writes clear, concise chart notes in a timely manner.

b. Gives feedback to PCP/RN within UCNW requirements and patient need.

Chart notes are consistent with treatment plan and supports medical and BH treatment, within standards. 

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