Licensed Adult Behavioral Therapist – LCSW / LPC

About the Role

The Behavioral Health Consultant (BHC) – LCSW / LPC in Philadelphia is a core member of the integrated care team. This role provides short-term, individualized clinical interventions to members identified as seeking therapy and having a behavioral health condition (e.g., substance use, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar) that negatively impacts their overall health and/or daily functioning. The role is centered in a trauma-informed care approach with emphasis on harm reduction and motivational interviewing to elicit behavioral change and adherence with medical recommendations and treatment plans.

The BHC serves as the behavioral health subject matter expert (SME) within an interdisciplinary care team, which includes primary care providers, nurses, medical/social work care managers, psychiatrists, pharmacy, community health workers, and resource specialists. The BHC may refer members to external behavioral health levels of care not provided by AbsoluteCare, such as ACT, IOP, PHP, residential treatment, or inpatient services.

Key performance indicators for success include meeting treatment plan goals, increasing adherence to treatment plans, decreasing preventable medical/psychiatric events (e.g., emergency room utilization, hospital admissions, and readmissions), post-hospital discharge follow-up measures (HEDIS), and member retention.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual, group, and post-discharge follow-up behavioral health therapy, including comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments, individualized treatment plans using SMART goals, timely clinical documentation (e.g., SOAP notes), and tracking progress of each goal to completion.
• Directly or collaboratively provide crisis intervention and de-escalation for members in crisis (via telephone or in person), including suicidality, disruptive and/or threatening behaviors, and clinically appropriate disposition.
• Serve as the clinical behavioral health SME within the interdisciplinary care team (ICT) by providing recommendations, referrals, and follow-up for behavioral health aspects of member care.
• Provide and advocate for clinical care using evidence-based approaches, including trauma-informed care, harm reduction, motivational interviewing, and cognitive-behavioral therapies; may include short-term solutions-based therapy or emotional management (e.g., anger management).
• Demonstrate the use of trauma-informed care and motivational interviewing in member interactions and staff trainings.
• Maintain close communication with primary care providers (PCP) and psychiatrists for all members seen for therapy.
• Complete documentation of patient care services in electronic health records within 3 business days of interaction.
• Develop and/or support individual treatment plans for members with chronic mental illness, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety.
• Recognize opportunities and promote the use of long-acting injectables, as appropriate, to support adherence to treatment plan goals.
• Schedule appointments, promote attendance (including reminder calls), identify and resolve barriers to attendance (e.g., transportation), and follow up after missed appointments.
• In collaboration with clinical leadership, develop and maintain group therapy curriculum appropriate to the member population, including both educational and process components (e.g., grief, anger, anxiety, aftercare, overall health/wellness, tobacco cessation).

Requirements

• Clinically licensed in the state of practice with 3+ years of experience in a behavioral health-related field, including social work, mental health, and/or addiction.
• Licenses must allow for clinical practice and may include: LCSW or LPC.
• 2+ years of experience in a community mental health center, FQHC, inpatient psychiatric facility, or other setting serving clientele with complex behavioral health needs.
• Experience with complex government-sponsored populations preferred (e.g., Medicaid, Medicare beneficiaries).
• Experience with member engagement, transitions of care, interdisciplinary clinical care, and/or case management preferred.
• Telehealth experience preferred.
• Excellent clinical judgment and ability to independently manage a caseload.
• Advanced computer skills with proficiency in Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to modify communication to the member’s needs/comprehension level.
• Experience working in multiple electronic health records.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills to triage and prioritize patient needs.
• Proven ability to work within a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Active CPR certification.

Working Conditions

This job operates in a professional office environment and routinely uses general office equipment. Physical requirements include:

• Ability to communicate clearly and exchange accurate information constantly.
• Ability to remain stationary for long periods of time.
• Constant operation of computer, keyboard, copy and fax machines, phone, and other general office equipment.
• Ability to occasionally move objects up to 20 lbs.