Purpose

The primary care behavioral health consultant (BHC) provides behavioral health services within a multidisciplinary primary care medical team. The BHC works with the other health care providers at their clinic to identify and manage patients with mental health, substance use, and health behavior concerns. Activities include the provision of evidence-based behavioral interventions, real-time consultation with providers, and brief behavioral health assessments. The BHC works in partnership with other team members to increase patient access to behavioral health and substance abuse services and achieve Neighborcare’s Mission, Guiding Principles and Goals.

Within NCH we provide Medical and Dental services. We will work internally with all 31 clinics to create a referral process to refer patients to SUD services. We will do this by providing outreach and education about SUD and treatment services to all providers and clinical staff, so they understand the criteria regarding who qualifies for SUD services. We will use the Social Workers to go to different clinics to meet with patients in person to complete enrollment documentation. If the patient needs assistance with insurance coverage, we will refer to our internal eligibility department to assist with benefits/coverage.

This position is eligible for the Staff Referral Program.  Neighborcare offers a robust benefit package including Continuing Education, Health Insurance (Med/Den/Vision), Retirement, Paid Time Off (PTO), Holiday Pay, Pet Insurance, and more! 

THIS A GRANT FUNDED POSITION THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2025

In this position you will:

Provide high quality, culturally sensitive health services that are in line with organizational productivity expectations Provide brief behavioral health assessment and intervention services for patients across the lifespan (children, adolescents, and adults) who present with a broad range of psychopathology, substance misuse, and health compromising behaviors contributing to chronic medical conditions Provide services in a manner consistent with the Primary Care Behavioral Health Consultant Model of integration, including same day access, team-based care, and a flexible, population-based approach to care Provide care to a subset of patients using strategies from the Collaborative Care integration approach, including the use of a panel management database and consultation with a psychiatric provider Provide screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment (SBIRT) to reduce the unhealthy use of alcohol and other substances Maintain a balance in daily schedule of same-day access to BH services, and a caseload of scheduled followup patients. Support PCPs and consulting psychiatric providers with regard to psychiatric medications, including basic patient education and helping to monitor adherence, side effects and effectiveness Work with the primary care team to refer patients to community mental health centers when appropriate, and support patients during transition Facilitate time-limited behavioral therapy groups, including psycho-education and skill-building. Maintain patient electronic medical charts in accordance with the organization’s policies and procedures, including appropriate use of Disclosure/Consent forms, documentation completed within 72 hours of visit, and accurate use of CPT coding Attend meetings as directed by supervisors. Work in cooperation with other behavioral health staff, including peer consultation and information sharing.  Work with clinic reception and other support staff to maximize patient access to behavioral health services

KEY SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES

Required for this job:

Actively promotes team-based care within multidisciplinary medical teams including comfort in communicating with medical colleagues about clinical care Demonstrates excellent working knowledge of a wide range of behavioral health conditions across the lifespan and clinical spectrum Demonstrates skill in assessing and intervening on patients with complex presentations, including those with comorbid medical and psychiatric symptoms Ability to utilize brief behavioral health assessments to form diagnostic impressions and develop initial care plans. Ability to provide evidence-based treatments for behavioral health concerns in a brief format (e.g., 30-minute sessions and shorter courses of therapy) Ability to provide behavioral interventions to promote improved physical health and healthy management of chronic medical conditions Demonstrates good knowledge of substance use disorders and ability to provide brief screening and evidence-based behavioral interventions for them Demonstrates expertise in using contemporary, validated assessment instruments for behavioral health conditions that are appropriate to the primary care setting Demonstrates experience in or willingness to become proficient in the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) model of managing substance use disorders Demonstrates a working knowledge of psycho-pharmacology. Ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with persons of varied racial, educational, and socio-economic backgrounds as well as individuals with disabilities Ability to utilize interpretation services to provide care to non-English speaking patients. Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries with patients, families, co-workers, and community resources Knowledge of and ability to maintain professional standards and follow the treatment policies and procedures of Neighborcare and of state, local and federal regulators Knowledge of and skill in the use of computers with the ability to learn and use required software programs, including clinical documentation in an electronic health record program Maintains all necessary credentials per agency and licensing requirements

Required qualifications for this position include:

Graduate degree (doctoral or masters) in a clinical mental health field A graduate degree in a clinical mental health field and a full, active, and unrestricted mental health license in Washington State and are able to independently bill for services. License types accepted are Psychologist, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). an associate degree in human services or related field, or successful completion of 90 quarter or 60 semester college credits in courses from an approved school - see WAC 246-811-010(9).

Years of Relevant Experience required:  2+ years of Substance Use Disorder experience 

Years of Relevant Experience preferred: 3+ years of relevant experience in a team-based setting

Preferred:

Experience providing behavioral health care in a team- based medical setting

About our Service Commitments  ( BOLD NOT CAPS, SHOULD BE COPY PASTE FROM CHEATSHEET)

Our service commitments were created by staff members, leaders, board members, and patients. We use these as a guide and expectation for how we treat our patients and each other. You may learn more about our service commitments here, https://neighborcare.org/about-us/service-commitments/  

Serving patients  Serving each other  A warm welcome  Caring  Respect  Working together  Trusting Relationship 

About us

For 50 years, Neighborcare Health has been caring for our neighbors with essential medical and dental care, counseling, outreach, health education and more in Seattle, Vashon, and our newest dental clinic in Olympia!  Our purpose is to improve health by engaging, educating, and empowering people in the communities we serve.  We are looking to hire the best talent to support our culturally diverse workplace and community. 

Compensation 

The wage range for this position is: Minimum $45.33 up to $62.89 maximum. Compensation will be determined based on years of relevant experience.

Union:  Yes

Union:  Yes

Full job description will be provided during the interview process.