Behavioral Health Clinician - LCSW/LMFT/Psychologist 

SUMMARY: Open Door Community Health Centers’ (ODCHC) Behavioral Health Department is committed to evidence based and timely mental health treatment services for established patients.  Medical providers, care teams, and support staff utilize Behavioral Health Clinicians (BHC) for collaboration on patient care, and for consultation on difficult mental health issues. Open Door’s integrated behavioral healthcare model of practice is patient-centered, sessions focus on improvement of overall health outcomes, while addressing issues of depression anxiety, and addictions. Treatment is normally short-term unless clinically justified for more in-depth sessions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: These essential responsibilities are performed within the context of collaboration and coordination of the patients’ primary care team. Patient visits occur through “warm hand-offs” and referrals from medical providers.

• Collaborates and assists medical practitioners and other health care team members in recognizing and treating emotional, behavioral, and mental health disorders (including substance abuse and dependence disorders).
• Evaluates and refers at-risk patients to the continuum of care available within Open Door and in the community (including long-term therapy, substance abuse treatment, and psychiatric assessment and services).
• Integrates consult reports into primary care treatment plans as appropriate.
• Provides goal-oriented assessments and interventions to address mental health, behavioral health, and co-morbid physical conditions.
• Provides and supports patient education.
• Coordinates the health care team in addressing holistically the needs of patients with chronic psychological, social, security, substance use, and/or physical conditions.
• Coordinates with Open Door case managers to address patient social determinates of health needs.
• Provides short-term problem-focused therapy based on clinic need and patient demand. Following an initial assessment, services are generally provided in 30-60 minute sessions. Longer term therapy can be provided if clinically justified.
• Provides short-term group therapy focused on patient education (8-12 sessions) for smoking cessation, weight management, anger management, depression, chronic illness management, and/or other identified topics based on clinic need and patient demand.
• Accurately records psychological and behavioral health histories, assessments, diagnoses, interviews, safety planning, ongoing care, and referrals in the electronic medical record according to established protocols.
• Works to deescalate inappropriate patient behavior and crisis situations.
• Performs risk assessments and collaborates with external agencies when need to assure patient safety.
• Adheres to ODCHC policies and protocols.
• Other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS: The successful candidate will possess experience and skills spanning a variety areas:

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish constructive working relationships with physicians, advanced care practitioners, nurses, case managers, other clinic staff, and community partners.
• Ability to establish rapport and professional relationship with patients from all parts of the community who experience a broad range of emotional, mental and behavioral health disorders typically in conjunction with physical health needs.
• Ability to intervene in difficult, confrontational, and/or crisis situations in a manner which works to deescalate tensions while maintaining safety and seeking resolution.
• Ability to analyze and interpret professional journals.
• Ability to adhere to and adapt to changing policies and procedures and government regulations.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, tolerate interruptions, and shift focus quickly to respond to immediate needs within the clinic, while maintaining productivity standards for our Behavioral Health Clinicians.
• Licensed by the State of California as Clinical Psychologist, Marriage and Family Therapist, or Clinical Social Worker.
• Experience in similar position in a community health center or outpatient mental health clinic.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: This is a non-supervisory position, however, there is potential for supervision for students and Associate Behavioral Health Clinicians based on licensure.

SUPERVISION AND SUPPORT: The Director of Behavioral Health Services provides overall guidance, consultation, clinical supervision, policy/procedure expectations, and training. The Site Administrator supervisors Behavioral Health Clinicians for all administrative duties.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: This is largely an office-based position. The physical requirements described are representative of those needed to successfully perform the essential duties of the position. Reasonable accommodation will be made to allow otherwise qualified candidates to perform these functions.

• Speaking and hearing sufficient to communicate effectively by telephone, video or in-person at normal volumes.
• Vision adequate to read documents, computer screens, forms.
• Ability to move around the clinic throughout the day to meet patients in exam rooms and meet with other members of the health care team in various locations.
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time.
• Ability to use keyboard and view computer screens for extended periods of time.

To search for an open position, please go to http://OpenDoorCommunityHealthCenters.appone.com