Behavioral Health Provider -

About the role

This notional opportunity is contingent upon the award of a government contract. The Behavioral Health Provider (BHP) serves as a subject matter expert in mental health and substance use disorders, conducting assessments, diagnoses, and treatment for detainees with serious mental illness or disorders.

Responsibilities

• Conduct mental health evaluations and develop treatment plans for detainees with SMI/SMD, including referrals to acute or inpatient care as clinically indicated.
• Provide direct mental health services such as on-site counseling, individual and group psychotherapy, substance abuse education, and behavioral analysis.
• Implement and manage specialized programming within a Modified Therapeutic Treatment Community model.
• Consult with medical, contract staff, and healthcare professionals to provide education on continuity of care, treatment monitoring, and management of co-occurring diagnoses.
• Assess and evaluate mental health using DSM-V-TR criteria; refer patients to outside treatment facilities when necessary.
• Develop, manage, and monitor patient treatment plans in coordination with behavioral health technicians.
• Provide written evaluation reports on the mental health status of individuals on the Seriously Mentally Ill (SMI) list.
• Provide weekly reports on individuals on the SMI list and those in segregation to the HQ Behavioral Health Unit.
• Serve as the suicide prevention program coordinator when assigned and provide mental health treatment for individuals exhibiting suicidal, dangerous, or psychotic behaviors.
• Provide post-discharge follow-up for individuals returning from inpatient mental health treatment.
• Serve as a mental health consultant to other healthcare professionals and develop training materials on mental health topics such as suicide prevention and abuse/neglect.
• Coordinate with the case management team to assist in community treatment placement, hospital placement, or other after-care situations.
• Utilize the EHR system for completing clinical assessments, evaluations, advanced care referrals, and discharge summaries.
• Maintain patient confidentiality and compliance with HIPAA/Privacy Act regulations.
• Adhere to policies, procedures, and accreditation standards as prescribed by the overseeing organization.
• Provide oversight and consultation to behavioral health technicians and interns.

Requirements

• Hold a master's or doctoral degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, or a related field from a CACREP-accredited program.
• Hold a full, current, and unrestricted clinical license to independently practice as an LPMHC, LCPC, or LCSW, including diagnosis and treatment.
• A minimum of three years post-independent licensure clinical experience providing independent clinical assessment, diagnosis using the DSM-V-TR, and developing clinical treatment plans without supervision.
• A current, permanent, full, and unrestricted license to practice clinical social work independently in the state where the duty station is located.
• LPC or LCSW certification.
• Maintain BLS for Healthcare Providers® certification through the American Heart Association® or the American Red Cross.
• Experience implementing and managing a new mental health treatment program or a Modified Therapeutic Community treatment model is preferred.

Skills

• Strong oral and written communication skills and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Critical thinking skills and cultural awareness.
• Knowledge of the case management process at the master’s level.
• Knowledge of indications, contraindications, complications, and techniques in social work treatment and diagnostic modalities.
• Ability to implement and manage services within a multi-disciplinary mental health treatment unit.
• Strong understanding of the Modified Therapeutic Community treatment model.
• Knowledge of diverse group and individual therapeutic modalities (e.g., art, music, drama, creative-writing, life skills).
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural and multi-lingual environment; utilize telephonic interpreter/translation services if not fluent in a patient’s language.
• Ability to adapt to sudden schedule changes and flexible work requirements.
• Proficiency in English and/or Spanish (verbal and written) to develop positive rapport with patients and stakeholders.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Proficiency in navigating electronic health records, web-based training, and Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint).
• Knowledge of HIPAA/Privacy Act regulations regarding patient confidentiality and PII.

Pay

$45.09 per hour.

Schedule

• Full-time position requiring availability for days, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Night shifts may exist but are generally not required.
• Rotational on-call coverage is required; may need to return to the facility during coverage periods.
• The facility operates 24/7/365; emergency activation response may be required.

Citizenship Requirements

Employees must be United States citizens or foreign citizens legally authorized to work in the United States. Employment eligibility will be verified using the E-Verify system.