Older Adult Behavioral Health Specialist

Description
JOB SUMMARY: The Older Adult Behavioral Health Specialist is part of a multi-disciplinary team of behavioral health professionals to provide and coordinate support services for older adults in the community with a wide variety of community stakeholders and partners. The specialist is also responsible for workforce development and community education specific to the needs of older adults in the community. This individual may also provide screening and assessment and/or treatment services to individuals needing mental health treatment.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Conducts assessments, develops treatment plans, and facilitates referrals for older adults as needed;
2. Works closely with other staff as a member of a multi-disciplinary treatment team to achieve the best outcomes for the clients;
3. Collaborates and coordinates with a range of community partners, which may include APD, DHS, ODDS, primary care clinics, hospital settings, nursing homes or assisted living facilities, law enforcement, veterans' organizations, senior centers, CCO and other insurance companies, and faith-based communities;
4. Builds partnerships and bridges service gaps with core partners to help overcome barriers to client access;
5. Provides complex case consultation with community partners;
6. Attends and participates in community meetings with BestCare's partners and other settings for older adults and people with physical disabilities to help to support the behavioral, physical and social needs of this client population;
7. Be trained in and conduct Pre-admission screening and Resident Reviews (PASRR) as requested to ensure individuals are placed in the least restrictive environment and are receiving the services that are needed.
8. Provides workforce development to direct service and/or primary care providers with the express purpose of:

• • Increasing their knowledge about the population of older adults and people with physical disabilities.
  • Increasing their ability to access services for older adults and people with physical disabilities.
  • Increasing their use of best practices to screen, assess and treat older adults and people with physical disabilities.

1. Provides community education to the general public with the express purpose of:
2. • Promoting health, wellness and resilience.
   • Increasing recognition of the signs and symptoms of behavioral health problems in older adults and people with physical disabilities.
   • Increasing awareness of local services that provide behavioral health support and how to access these services.
3. Maintains accurate documentation of all services in client files in EHR within agency stated timelines;
4. Works closely with referral sources, keeping them informed on the progress of the clients, as needed and appropriate to client confidentiality per HIPAA and 42 CFR and Oregon statutes;
5. Attends and contributes to staff, team and community meetings;
6. May carry a small caseload of clients and/or be responsible for assessments for adults of all ages.
7. Other related duties as assigned.

ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Performs work in alignment with the BestCare's mission, vision, values;
2. Supports the organization's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion by fostering a culture of open-mindedness, cultural awareness, compassion, and respect for all individuals;
3. Strives to meet Program/Department goals and supports the organization's strategic goals;
4. Adheres to the organization's Code of Conduct, Business Ethics, Employee Handbook, and all other relevant policies, procedures, and other compliance needs;
5. Understands and maintains professionalism and confidentiality per HIPAA, 42 CFR, and Oregon Statutes;
6. Attends required program/staff meetings and completes assigned training timely and satisfactorily;
7. Ensures that any required certifications and/or licenses are kept current and renewed timely;
8. Works independently as well as participates as a positive, collaborative team member;
9. Performs other organizational duties as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Master's degree in psychology, social work, counseling, behavioral sciences, or related field required
• Minimum 1 year of experience working with older adults and/or people with disabilities
• For individuals in recovery from substance-use disorder, must have maintained continuous recovery for the previous two years at the time of hire

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS:

• QMHP, CSWA or PCA required upon hire with ability/commitment to attain certification within 6 months for QMHP, or 2 years, respectively, for LCSW or LPC
• Must maintain a valid Oregon Driver License or ability to obtain one upon hire and be insurable under the organization's auto liability coverage policy (minimum 21 years of age and at least 3 years without any DUI or moving violations)

PREFERRED:

• Bilingual in English/Spanish a plus

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES: Must have demonstrated competency or ability to attain competency for each of the following within a reasonable period:

• Follow program policies and procedures for client case management and recordkeeping, and recording information timely and accurately in the client files in accordance with program policies and procedures and applicable OAR's;
• Proficiency in MS Office 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook), EHR platform, databases, virtual meeting platforms, internet, and ability to learn new or updated software;
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills;
• Strong communication skills (oral and written);
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, accuracy, and follow-through;
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines;
• Critical thinking skills;
• Ability to maintain strict confidence as required by HIPAA, 42 CFR, and Oregon Statutes;
• Ability to build and maintain positive, collaborative relationships with staff and a range of community partners;
• Ability to function well and use good judgment in a high-paced and at times stressful environment;
• Ability to manage conflict resolution and anger/fear/hostility/violence of others appropriately and effectively;
• Ability to work effectively and respectfully in a diverse, multi-cultural environment;
• Ability to work independently as well as participating as a positive, collaborative team member.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED: Standard office equipment including computer/laptop, copy/fax/scanning machine, printer, and telephone or multi-line phone.
WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work environment is respectful, multi-cultural and inclusive, and the characteristics described above are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The position requires the employee to dress in a manner that meets the standards for professional attire at Best Care or per department-or job-specific requirements (See Dress Code Policy in Employee Handbook). Other working conditions/demands include:

• Primarily indoors (95%)
• Must wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Must wear attire as prescribed for staff working in Medical Services
• Frequently sits at a desk, stands, walks, bends/stoops, reaches above/below shoulders, uses arms, wrists, hands, and grasps/squeezes
• Occasionally twists, crouches/squats
• Must be able to perform repetitive tasks/motions, have good manual dexterity
• Must be able to lift/carry up to 20 lbs. frequently and push/pull 21-75 pounds occasionally
• Must be able to hear alarms/telephone/audio/normal speaking voice
• Must have clarity of vision: Near (<20"); Mid (>20" to < 20'); Far (> 20')
• Must be able to drive motor vehicle to perform job
• May be exposed to communicable disease