Behavioral Health Specialist

Job Summary

The Behavioral Health Specialist provides short-term counseling, crisis intervention, and behavioral health assessments within an integrated primary care setting. They collaborate closely with medical providers, coordinate care with community resources, and offer education to patients, families, and staff. The role involves documenting in electronic medical records, making appropriate referrals, and participating in care teams and quality improvement efforts.

Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities

• Provides short term counseling for patients with Behavioral Health needs.
• Orients patients to Behavioral Health Program.
• Clinically assesses patients for appropriateness of behavioral health services.
• Establishes a psychiatric diagnosis.
• Works with patients (and Primary Care Provider, if indicated) to establish and obtain treatment goals.
• Makes follow-up monitoring.
• Provides crisis intervention services to patients experiencing acute emotional distress.
• Communicates with primary care providers, external psychiatrists, community therapists, community mental health centers, treatment facilities or other community resources.
• Offers behavioral health education.
• Instructs patients and families on managing behavioral health issues.
• Refers patients to outside agencies, community therapists, psychiatrists and/or community resources.
• Meets regularly with administrative staff, nursing and medical providers to identify, assess and support patient behavioral health needs.
• Completes all EMR and other documentation as required; daily, weekly and monthly.
• Documents patient contacts through EMR notes.