SHS-POP HEALTH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONSULTANT - MSW SOCIAL WORKER (IONIA)

Positions Location : Ionia, MI

Job Description

General Purpose of Job :  As part of the Population Health Service Organization (PHSO), the Behavioral Health Consultant will participate in the practices with the Sparrow Medical Group (SMG) primary care team to support the coordination of behavioral health care.

Common Duties and Responsibilities :

Sparrow Health System is building the Integrative Behavioral Health program. The Social Workers work as Behavioral Health Consultants or (BHC’s) consistent with the Primary Care Behavioral Health (PCBH) model.  The goal is to integrate behavioral health services into primary care practices to offer services that support the wellbeing of both the patient’s physical and behavioral health.

BHC’s receive referrals through warm hand-offs and referrals.  The BHC’s may diagnose and address concerns related to an array of conditions which may include depression, anxiety, grief and loss, situational stress, sleep dysregulation, coping with the stressful effects of chronic or acute illness.   In addition, the expectation is that the clinician will implement strategies and interventions to manage multiple conditions and / or engage with specialty care for serious and persistent mental health needs. The BHC may see patient for a single intervention in the office or have the opportunity to schedule the patient for short- term focused therapy.

This position is a great opportunity to be a valuable part of a multidisciplinary team with physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Physician’s Assistants, RN’s, MA’s, clerical staff, etc.

Essential Duties

• Provides assessments, crisis interventions, advocacy, support, care management, community referrals, and counseling at the clinic or via a telehealth encounter
• Screens and assesses patients for common mental health and substance abuse disorders, with the ability to triage high-risk patients when necessary
• Provides brief behavioral interventions using evidence-based psychological techniques such as behavioral activation, problem-solving treatment, motivational interviewing, or other treatments as appropriate
• Works with the patient, family, and other members of the health care team to formulate a treatment plan and goals of care
• Communicates regularly with all involved parties (patient, family, Specialists, Primary Care Physician, etc.) and updates treatment notes in Epic
• Documents in-person and telehealth encounters in Epic, which should include patient progress, treatment recommendations, adherence monitoring and side effects
• Provides information about resources and options available in the community and coordinates service delivery
• Understanding of legal and ethical issues in primary care
• Knowledge of the impact of biologic / medical factors on cognitive and affective functioning
• General understanding of the most common conditions treated in primary care, such as chronic pain, Diabetes, COPD, and obesity
• Adapts behaviors and goals, in a culturally sensitive manner based on the individual’s background, social situation, experience and wishes
• Reports information generated from available sources to support operational, clinical and financial goals / outcomes

Job Requirements

General Requirements

Work Experience

Education

Specialized Knowledge and Skills

University of Michigan Health-Sparrow is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status.

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