Behavioral Health Therapist

Behavioral Health Therapist

As part of the behavioral health telehub team, the Behavioral Health Therapist (BHT) identifies, assesses, triages, documents, and manages patients who are in crisis and/or need follow-up care due to medical and behavioral health problems. The BHT will utilize safety planning and suicide management, along with skill training through psycho-education and patient education strategies to develop patient self-management, and will develop specific behavioral change plans for patients using best practice and brief evidence-based treatment interventions. The BHT is a core member of the collaborative team, including the patient's emergency department or inpatient medical providers, psychiatrists, Community Mental Health staff, as well as the primary care teams. The BHT is responsible for supporting and coordinating the mental and physical health care of patients in the ED and on an assigned caseload, while also providing crisis intervention and short-term therapy for patients in urgent need of same-day contact.

Job Description

• Assesses the clinical status of patients referred by ED providers, inpatient providers, and primary care providers due to mental health crisis. Assists in the detection of "at risk" patients and intervenes to attenuate further psychological or physical deterioration. Provides de-escalation and crisis intervention, and addresses opportunities for intervention. Assists providers in decision-making regarding appropriate levels of care. Consults with the physician as necessary and refers cases to other behavioral health providers for longer-term care as appropriate. Provides, facilitates, and ensures patient engagement and follow-up care after crisis has stabilized. Works with primary care team to treat and manage patients with chronic emotional and/or physical health problems efficiently and effectively. Provides brief tele-behavioral interventions using evidence-based techniques. Assists in preventing suicides and relapse in conditions that tend to recur over time. Provides on-call services to the EDs to cover overnights and other times when teammates are not directly working.

• Uses brief assessment tools with patients to assist in identifying concerns, triaging, and outcomes measurement. Systematically documents treatment response and monitors patients (via tele-therapy) for changes in clinical symptoms and treatment side effects or complications. Connects with new and established patients regarding crisis plans and ongoing stabilization post-crisis. Evaluates patient care plans and develops appropriate goals for behavioral health conditions and handoff to ongoing care. Performs coding/billing following appropriate guidelines.

• Assists in program development and process improvement. Curates knowledge of best practice to share with others on the team. Obtains and keeps available patient education materials about common mental health and substance use disorders and local available treatment options for distribution and education of patients and their family.

• Tracks patient follow-up and clinical outcomes using a registry. Documents encounters in the registry and uses the system to identify and re-engage patients. Documents patient progress and treatment recommendations in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) and other required systems to be shared with medical providers, psychiatric consultants, and other treating professionals.

• Eliminates barriers to treatment, increases patient/family satisfaction, and improves appropriate utilization of resources.

• Facilitates referrals for clinically indicated services outside of the health system (e.g., social services such as housing assistance, vocational rehabilitation, mental health specialty care, substance abuse treatment).

• Identifies the need for and conducts family meetings, with or without the physician, that result in understanding, comfort, decision-making, and other important outcomes.

• Builds professional relationships with patients, families, facilities, and resources to address conflict resolution with positive outcomes.

• Summarizes a patient and family situation concisely, with helpful guidance to non-behavioral health staff members about recommendations for actions to be taken and barriers to wellness.

• Actively participates in scheduled case consultations with ED providers, psychiatrists, and primary care staff and communicates recommendations to the patient's providers and care team.

• Provides appropriate suicide prevention and follow-up care, including check-in calls, caring cards, and other evidence-based practices. Accepts accountability for clinical outcomes.

• Maintains timely, clear, and concise documentation in all required systems.

• Provides pertinent clinical data to designated outside agencies to assure compliance with their requirements.

• Assures compliance with regulatory requirements and acts as a resource/liaison to physicians and other staff regarding all aspects of Behavioral Health Crisis Care and Integrated Care Professional activities.

• Actively participates in provider meetings, team huddles, and quality assurance activities as scheduled.

• Provides education/training to practice staff when requested.

• Completes formal outreach and training to other providers including community education as requested.

• Willingly and consistently offers to help peers as needed.

• Assumes responsibility for professional development and education requirements for maintenance of professional licensure.

• Provides for the age-specific needs of the population served according to department standards and policies/procedures.

• Communicates teamwork, caring, and compassion.

• Sustains productivity expectations established by Director.

• Provides excellent customer service with internal and external customers.

• All other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• MSW: Masters of Social Work

• Licensure as a Master's Social Worker in the State of Michigan. Bachelor's Degree in psychology/social work and attending Master's Program acceptable. Licensure must be received within 6 months of hire. Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) also accepted.

Experience, Training, and Skills

• Knowledge of crisis therapy skills, including de-escalation, suicide prevention, and motivational interviewing preferred.

• Licensure as a Licensed Psychologist or Master's Social Worker in the State of Michigan.

• Limited License employees must be actively working to obtain full licensure within two years of employment.

• Membership in at least one professional organization (i.e., APA, NASW, CFHA, MPA, SSWLHC?MI Chapter, national SSWLHC, etc.) preferred.

• Training and experience in casework principles including diagnosis, assessment, crisis intervention, treatment planning; techniques in individual, family, and group therapy; awareness of community resources; ensuring transition to appropriate levels of care; issues relating to age/stage of development; special needs; cultural patterns of patient populations being served.

• Background or Certification in suicide prevention preferred.

• Knowledge of Integrated Behavioral Health practices as normally acquired in a primary care setting (preferred), hospital, social agency or community organization dealing with physical/mental health/welfare.

• Interpersonal skills needed to communicate successfully with individuals/groups at all levels.

• Adhere to the American Psychological Association or National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics.

• Follow MyMichigan Health blood borne pathogen and TB testing as required.

• MyMichigan Health is a technology-driven organization; employees need to demonstrate competency in Microsoft Windows.

Physical/Mental Requirements

• Exposure to stressful situations involving public contact as well as trauma, grief, and death.

• Able to wear personal protective equipment that includes latex materials or appropriate substitutes if required for your position.

• Able to move freely about facility with or without an assisted device; must be able to perform job functions as outlined in the job description.

• Overall vision and hearing are necessary with or without assisted device(s).

• Frequently required to sit/stand/walk for long periods; may require frequent postural changes such as stooping, kneeling or crouching.

• Some exposure to blood borne pathogens; must follow MyMichigan Health blood borne pathogen and TB testing as required.

• Able to handle multiple tasks; get along with others; work independently; maintain regular attendance; ability to stay awake.