Behavioral Health Specialist – LCSW(A), LCMHC(A), MFT(A), Psychologist

Description

Organization

High County Community Health (HCCH) is a nonprofit system of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) with locations in the northwestern counties of North Carolina including Watauga, Surry, Avery and Burke. The mission of HCCH is to provide comprehensive and culturally sensitive primary health care services that may include dental, mental and substance

abuse services to the medically under-served populations of our region.

Job Summary And Responsibilities:

The Behavioral Health Specialist (BHS) is responsible for providing and coordinating behavioral health care for patients at High Country Community Health (HCCH), a fully integrated primary care setting. This clinician provides evidence-based behavioral health assessment and treatment services to referred patients. The clinician monitors symptoms and response to treatment, and

works closely/collaborates with the primary care provider, psychiatrist/PMHNP (as needed), and resource specialist to revise the treatment plan when patients are not improving. The provider monitors patients closely for changes in severity of symptoms and medication side effects, educates patients about treatments/effects as needed, encourages treatment adherence, participates in caseload staffing with the inter-disciplinary treatment team, documents all encounters into electronic health record according to organizational policies, procedures and best practices, monitors outcomes, facilitates treatment referrals as needed, and completes relapse prevention plans with patients in remission of symptoms. The provider will work closely with community partners to assist HCCH patients. There is also have the opportunity to supervise graduate level trainees. In addition to general integrated primary care, this individual is responsible for providing behavioral health support to patients in a Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) clinic.

Clinical Responsibilities Include:

•  Screening potential MOUD patients and scheduling for BH and medical visits.
• Conduct comprehensive substance use assessments to determine patient’s level of opioid addiction and appropriateness for the HCCH MOUD program
• Provide clinical counseling for patients who are participating in the MOUD program
• Collaborate with prescribing medical provider to treat MOUD patients based on current best practices and HCCH policies and procedures
• Maintain up to date clinical knowledge regarding MOUD best practices and present to MOUD staff
• Participate in MOUD daily huddle

Requirements

Requirements/Qualifications/Skills/Experience

• Independently licensed clinical social worker or clinical mental health counselor. Applicants with an associate or provisional level license may be considered. Applicants should have substance use treatment experience. The candidate will possess experience working within a team-based, interdisciplinary treatment environment. The ideal candidate will have experience working within integrated primary care.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills. Demonstrated ability to establish rapport quickly with a wide range of patients. 
• Desire to work with an ethnically and culturally diverse population. 
• Possesses a pleasant, open attitude and a professional awareness of boundaries with patients, co-workers, and supervisors. Seek supervision and consultation as needed with peers and supervisors. Demonstrate an ongoing interest in learning. 
• Competent computer usage. 
• Desire to work with an ethnically and culturally diverse population. 
• Excellent working knowledge of DSM 5 TR diagnoses and evidence-based treatments for mental health conditions, behavioral and relationship challenges.

Other Details

Job Location: Avery Medical.

HCCH clinics participate in the National Health Service Corps loan repayment program. Our clinics are located in the mountains of western North Carolina. All of our clinics are within two hours of Charlotte and minutes away from the Blue Ridge Parkway. This area offers ample opportunities for snow skiing and snowboarding, hiking, biking, fishing, and kayaking.
Supervisory Relationships: Reports to the Chief of Behavioral Health

Travel Requirements: Occasional travel for meetings/training

Work Hours:40 hours/week; generally Monday-Friday with some scheduling flexibility due to Avery Medical night clinic