Job Description

Behavioral Health Clinician I’s act as an extension of the psychiatric provider. Regardless of acute psychiatric treatment setting, the BHC, working in collaboration with the behavioral health team, medical team, and community stakeholders, is responsible for completing: Psychosocial assessments, developing treatment plans, monitoring patient progress towards treatment goals, and crisis de-escalation. With clinical supervision, works independently to apply knowledge of diagnostic criteria to evaluate and recommend appropriate level of care for behavioral health patients.

One goal of all services facilitated by the BHC is to give psychiatric providers necessary information to finalize dispositions, as relevant to patient needs. BHC I’s work with diverse populations, age groups, and diagnoses. Serves as primary educator on topics of mental illness/mental health to patients and/or family members. Responsible for facilitating patient-centered, trauma-informed brief individual therapy, family therapy, and group therapy within the acute care setting, when indicated. Initiates coordination of discharge and aftercare services, as needed.

Company Description

The Klein Family Harford Crisis Center (KFHCC) is a comprehensive, trauma-informed behavioral health hub that uses innovative evidence-based modalities to serve our community. The KFHCC was created with Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations in mind in order to ameliorate the behavioral health crisis currently being experienced in Harford County, Maryland. All aspects of crisis response behavioral healthcare are offered directly by the KFHCC. Specifically, an Urgent Care Walk-In Clinic, an Outpatient Therapy/Psychiatry Clinic, and short-term Residential Crisis Beds are offered to those in need of behavioral health/substance use disorder care. In addition, targeted education is provided in the community with the goal of eliminating stigma associated with mental health and substance use disorders.

Qualifications

Education & Training: Master’s Degree in Human Services (i.e., Social Work, Professional Counseling, etc.) required. Licensed as a LGPC or LMSW in the state of Maryland required.

Work Orientation & Experience: One (1) year previous experience working with individuals with acute and chronic mental illness in an acute care psychiatric setting preferred.

Skills & Abilities: Demonstrate knowledge/skills of behavioral health clinical practice in a variety of settings: a.) Completing psychosocial assessments; b) provision of trauma-informed individual, group, and family therapy services; c.) developing and implementing discharge and aftercare plans; d) coordinating services for patient/family with community providers including knowledge of community resources, Medicare/Medicaid and commercial insurances; e.) knowledge of state and federal regulations as it pertains to scope of clinical practice in multiple settings; f.) effective critical thinking; g.) professional and effective written and verbal communication; h.) prioritize work assignments and manage time effectively to complete duties; and i.) work effectively and efficiently in a fast-paced environment.

Ability to a) communicate and collaborate effectively with both internal and external partners (i.e., behavioral health team, medical team, community stakeholders and patients/families); b) assess, adapt, and calmly respond to changing and/or crisis environment; c) make independent decisions consistent with current policies, procedures, health care and ethical standards; and d) be available to adapt hours to meet the needs of partners.

Additional Information

1. Completes comprehensive, trauma-informed psychosocial assessments for assigned patients within 72 hours of admission. Interviews patients/families/collateral contacts to assess functional level according to professional standards. Identifies patient strengths and challenges with goal of addressing and mitigating barriers to symptom stabilization.

2. Develops treatment plans in conjunction with patients and team members that assists patients in achieving symptom stabilization and highest possible level of functioning.

3. Facilitates individual, family, and group counseling utilizing brief therapy models incorporating crisis stabilization and cognitive behavioral and dialectical behavioral techniques. Initiates creative methods and tools to support patients achieving goals with focus on recovery, coping skills, and strengths.

4. Facilitates family meetings when appropriate that focus on empathetic support, education, and further identifying strengths and barriers for stabilizing the patient’s mental health and recovery.

5. Identifies patients who would benefit from Peer Recovery support and coordinates referrals as indicated.

6. Identifies patients who are at-risk for re-admission and coordinates with the Behavioral Health case management team for appropriate follow-up.

7. Collaboratively manages discharge planning of all assigned patients. Develops, revises (if necessary due to change in progress), and implements discharge and aftercare plans.

8. Monitors patients’ progress, facilitates patient and family meetings. Collaborates with

patients/families/treatment team to manage all aspects of assigned care.

9. Completes appropriate after care referrals to community resources and providers as needed. Demonstrates flexibility and creativity in identifying community resources. Transfers accountability to the appropriate person or agency upon patients’ discharge to provide smooth transition from acute care stay.

10. Actively participates in daily rounds and individual treatment plan meetings, effectively

communicating patient goals, strengths, and challenges.

13. Maintains accurate and timely documentation of actions/services.

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