Behavioral Health Specialist

Behavioral Health Specialist at Northern Counties Health Care in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, United States Job Description

Job Summary:

The Behavioral Health Specialist provides short-term counseling, crisis intervention, and behavioral health assessments within an integrated primary care setting. They collaborate closely with medical providers, coordinate care with community resources, and offer education to patients, families, and staff. The role involves documenting in electronic medical records, making appropriate referrals, and participating in care teams and quality improvement efforts. Strong organizational, communication, and clinical skills are essential, along with the ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Essential Job FunctionsResponsibilities:

Provides short term counseling for patients with Behavioral Health needs. Orients patients to Behavioral Health Program. Clinically assesses patients for appropriateness of behavioral health services. Establishes a psychiatric diagnosis. Works with patients (and Primary Care Provider, if indicated) to establish and obtain treatment goals. Monitors follow-up. Provides crisis intervention services to patients experiencing acute emotional distress. Contacts may be face to face or by phone. Contacts may include patients who are experiencing chronic painaddiction issues. Consults with medical providers and other professionals on patient treatment andor services. Communication with primary care providers, external psychiatrists, community therapists, community mental health centers, treatment facilities or other community resources. Provides behavioral health education. Instructs patients and families on management of behavioral health issues. Provides patients and families with educational materials for behavioral health issues that are both paper and web based. Educates staff on behavioral health issues. Provides referral of patients Identifies patient needs that may require referral to outside community services. May refer patient to primary care provider for intervention andor follow-up. Assists in referral of patients to outside agencies, community therapists, psychiatrists andor community resources. Meets regularly with administrative staff, nursing and medical providers to identify, assess and support patient behavioral health needs. Completes all EMR and other documentation as required; daily, weekly and monthly. Records results of assessment and treatment goals through a progress note using behavioral health templates. Uses messaging systemreview bins for provider andor nursing communications. Documents patient contacts through EMR notes. The above statements are intended to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those stated in this description. and