Behavioral Health Consultant 08322
About Harris County Public Health:
Harris County Public Health (HCPH) includes a network of more than 700 public health professionals working together to improve health outcomes for the third most populous county in the United States. HCPH provides a multitude of services such as medical and dental services, community programming, and health education for the approximately 2.3 million people in unincorporated Harris County. Through its core values of innovation, engagement, and health equity, HCPH strives to bring meaningful solutions to public health issues while keeping Harris County healthy and vibrant.
Position Description:
Under supervision of the Mental and Behavioral Health Program Manager, the Behavioral Health Consultant is responsible for patient care and a variety of administrative tasks with in an integrated care clinic setting. The BHC participates in the management of psychosocial aspects of chronic and acute diseases, application of behavioral principles to address lifestyle and health risk issues, consultation and co-management in the treatment of mental health disorders and psychosocial issues. The BHC’s goals are to help improve recognition, treatment, and management of psychosocial/behavioral health problems and medical conditions.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Utilizing a person-centered approach to care, meets patients, usually the same day a patient presents in clinic providing immediate support to include assessment, intervention and referrals to higher levels of care for mental health and addiction needs when required
- Treat patients with short term interventions based on “treat to target” approach using solution focused approaches, CBT, Motivational Interviewing and other short term counseling intervention
- Collaborate with clients, physicians, and other providers to develop and implement client-centered interventions
- Document all encounters with clients, including but not limited to all contacts and attempted contacts with or on behalf of clients in the client’s medical record within 3 working days of their occurrence
- Participates in daily huddles, listening for behavioral health, substance abuse, and psychosocial needs
- Promotes ongoing change efforts in the practice and within the HCPH system around mental health and substance use disorders
- Connects patient to a variety of resources in the community related to social determinants of health
- Participates in staff meetings and trainings
- Other duties as assigned
Education Requirements
- Master’s Degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, or other related field
Experience
- At least one (1) year experience in use of evidence based counseling techniques, screening, diagnosis, and treatment of common mental health and substance use disorders
Additional Requirements
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)/ Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), or within six months of becoming fully licensed for independent practice and under clinical supervision
- Must be bilingual in Spanish and English
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
- Knowledge of the relationship between medical and psychological aspects of health and disease
- Knowledge and experience working with co-occurring populations (chronic health conditions, mental health and substance use)
- Ability to work effectively with people of diverse cultures, ages and economic backgrounds a cultural competent and sensitive manner
- Knowledge of the principals of recovery
Work Environment:
- This job operates in a professional office environment.
- This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:
- This is a full-time position.
- Days and hours of work are typically Monday through Friday, from 8am to 5 pm.
- Others days and hours as necessary.