Behavioral Health Practitioner

Job Type
Full-time
Description
PRIMARY PURPOSE: The Behavioral Health Practitioner is responsible to provide an array of mental health/behavioral health services within the FoundCare clinics, serving children, adolescents, adults and elderly patients, in collaboration with Primary Care Providers (PCP). The Behavioral Health Practitioner will screen, evaluate and monitor patient's mental health condition. The Behavioral Health Practitioner will be part of the interdisciplinary team and will participate in developing patient's treatment plan.
Requirements
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Screen patients for behavioral health problems to medically-referred patients
• Work in collaboration with PCP and Case managers to assist patients in need of screening for behavioral health/mental health services.
  Provide bio-psycho social evaluation to patients who presents with behavioral health/mental health problems, and complete treatment plan with patients based on presenting problems.
• Provide short-term, structured, evidence-based psychotherapy (i.e. CBT, EMDR) as part of an appropriate treatment plan and in accordance with grants and contracts.
• Provide individual, family and group therapy based on recommendation of the treatment plan.
• Participates in interdisciplinary team meetings as needed.
• Coordinate and collaborate with the primary care providers and/or case managers to improve health outcomes, and consult with multidisciplinary team members on challenging cases.
• Collaborate with other providers in providing crisis intervention, as needed.
• Collaborate with medical case managers in providing care to people living with HIV/AIDS.
• Work to meet patient needs effectively and resolve individual barriers through follow-up, advocacy and collaboration with FoundCare staff and other community service providers.
• Participate in department meetings as well as in providing solutions to department challenges.
• Promote behavioral health services through outreach to the community and presentation to other staff members and/or clients.
• Facilitate referrals to other services internally (within FoundCare) and externally (e.g. substance abuse treatment, specialty care and community resources) as needed.
• Keep track of services provided as well as deadline for treatment plans for reporting purposes.
• Provide regular update to the BH Clinical Supervisor as to productivity.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of activities, case management notes, and services provided to each client.
• Consistently work in a positive and cooperative manner in the performance of assignments.
• Demonstrate flexibility to perform duties wherever volume deems it necessary within the health center
• Communicates issues related to services, facilities and operations to BH Clinical Supervisor for overall health center improvement.
• Participates in continuous quality improvement initiatives, as directed by Chief Medical Officer.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.
• Maintains safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Prepare for upcoming patient's visits by reviewing charts for the next day's appointments.
• Contact patients for rescheduling when there is "No shows".
• Provide services to walk-in patients, who have been established patients of FoundCare.
• Provide clinical supervision to graduate students in mental health, social work, and/or psychiatric nursing.
• Other duties as assigned to support the mission.

• Current Mental health license in the State of Florida or license eligible with registration with the state of Florida (i.e. Registered Clinical Social Worker, Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern)
• Unlicensed BH practitioner will have a limit of 2 years to complete license if newly graduate or less depending on date of completion of graduate degree (MSW, MHC, Psy.D).
• Familiarity and comfort working with issues related to homelessness, substance abuse, mental health diagnosis, and history of trauma.
• Must also be able to respect the culture, values and opinions of clients/patients/staff.
• Ability to incorporate culturally sensitive best practices within provision of services.
• Experience in the following areas: bio psycho social assessment, individual therapy, group therapy, short-term, evidence-based counseling, and crisis intervention.
• Strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills; proven ability to communicate with diverse audiences, with or without the use of an interpreter.
• Good computer skills and ability to learn new computer systems, including changing electronic health records (EHR) and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point).
• Ability to orally communicate effectively with others.
• Bilingualism is a preference in the following languages (Creole and/or Spanish) based on patient's population.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing using English and Spanish, with or without the use of auxiliary aids or services.
• Ability to review, understand, and apply concepts presented in training programs, conferences, and/or professional literature.
• Basic knowledge about the impact of chronic illnesses and illnesses in general on behavioral health.
• Ability to provide information on tobacco cessation benefits, safer sex practices which would include but not be limited to, exposure to explicit language, explicit printed material, and descriptions of explicit sexual activities as part of the agency's mission in the prevention and transmission of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, including HIV, Hepatitis diseases.

• Ability to endure short, intermittent, and/or long periods of sitting and/or standing in performance of job duties.
• Need to travel to off-site locations and attend meetings, workshops, seminars plus travel to other FoundCare departments and FoundCare conference rooms.
• Accomplish job duties using various types of equipment/supplies, e.g.
• pens, pencils, calculators, computer keyboard, telephone, etc.

• Masters in Mental Health Counseling, Social Work and/or equivalent from an accredited Graduate School in the USA/Canada.
• Possess current and valid License in the State of Florida. LCSW/LMFT/LMHC preferred.
• Unlicensed BH practitioner will have a limit of 2 years to complete license if newly graduate or less depending on date of completion of graduate degree (MSW, MHC, Psy.D).
• Knowledge of Integrated Behavioral Health in the community healthcare system.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and county regulations for FQHCs a plus.
• Minimum one year of LCSW experience in a clinical setting or office or equivalent combination of training and experience, preferred.
• Knowledge of common safety hazards and precautions.
• Skill in developing and maintaining clinical quality assurance
• Skill in identifying and resolving problems
• Ability to interpret, adapt and apply guidelines and procedures
• Ability to use good reasoning and judgment and to react calmly in emergency situations
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients, medical staff, coworkers and the public Ability to read, write and communicate effectively orally and in writing
• PC proficient.
• Quick response/accurate data entry to present treatment plans to patients in a short time frame.
• Communicate all concerns to the BH Clinical Supervisor and/or Associate Chief Behavioral Health Officer.
• Ability to handle various special projects on an ongoing basis while addressing daily needs of the department.
• Outstanding customer service skills and the ability to interact and work with diverse populations.
• Ability to complete projects with minimal directions/instructions.
• Maintain patient and family confidentially.
• Employee will be required to travel to multiple FoundCare location/s.