The Behavioral Health Consultant (BHC) provides expert integrated care to adult and pediatric patients as a member of the primary care clinic. They specialize in targeted, brief, evidence-based, solution-focused assessments and interventions geared toward functional improvement.

BHCs are generalists, providing high-volume services from a population-based lens that are accessible, team-based, and a routine part of primary care. This is a behavioral health model that is interconnected with patients’ medical care and the medical care team that requires specialized training and experience with a variety of medical, mental health, and substance use concerns. Additionally, this position supports the entire development of age, ranging from children, adolescents, teens, adults, geriatrics, obstetric populations (pregnant individuals and post-pregnancy related conditions), and working with families and couples for targeted interventions and support in primary care. The BHC in many scenarios is often the first point of contact for individuals seeking mental health and substance use concerns.

In addition, this role performs high-level consultation to physicians and other medical care team members and contributes to a clear treatment plan for patient care. The BHC functions effectively in a fast-paced, highly productive setting, with the ability to successfully pivot from a patient-facing to a physician-facing role throughout the day. The BHC thrives on being adaptable, flexible, and being able to function independently at a consistently high level. The individual in this position must be willing to engage in brief visits (e.g., 15- 30 mins) at a high volume and is adept at working closely with PCPs and other team members.

Essential Job Duties

• Apply solid working knowledge of biopsychosocial models of human behavior and development for assessment of patient care, to include knowledge of the use of adult and pediatric screening instruments, as well as the ability to screen for and identify substance abuse problems.
• Apply first-line interventions in a time-limited setting for a broad spectrum of physical and mental health problems experienced by patients and families throughout the lifespan, as presented in primary care (including pediatrics, obstetric populations, and Family medicine populations). Targets of treatment may include mental health concerns, substance abuse concerns, adverse health behaviors (including their contribution to chronic medical illnesses), stress-related physical symptoms, ineffective patterns of health care utilization, and adjustment to new and chronic medical conditions.
• Provide patient and family education effectively, and sensitively, to encourage compliance with medical and behavioral treatment plans. Possess the skill and expertise to discuss common psychotropic medications with a patient, including indications, effects, and side effects, and demonstrate the ability to appropriately recommend initiating medication to primary care physicians.
• Effectively utilize electronic health record (Epic EHR) and verbal communication to concisely communicate relevant information to medical providers in a timely manner. Ability to concurrently document during patient sessions; including performance of various clinical, compliance, and administrative duties required to meet various billing and medical documentation requirements.
• Effectively assess for, and manage, suicidal and homicidal risk, as well as concerns for child or elder abuse and neglect, using effective and evidence-based methods (PHQ-9, Columbia Risk Assessment). When applicable, collaborate and coordinate care with the Crisis team, contact police and/or Child Protective Services and communicate effectively with the receiving emergency department.
• Comfort and ability to engage in brief solution-focused treatment in primary care of wide variety of conditions of mental health, substance use, and behavior change around health conditions.
• A high level of comfort in providing consultation and training to other members of the primary care team in the areas of mental health, chemical dependency, and behavioral medicine.
• Possess skill and expertise to discuss common psychotropic medications with a patient, including indications, effects, and side effects, and demonstrate the ability to appropriately recommend initiating medication to primary care physicians.

Education and/or Experience

• Minimum of a Master’s Degree in a mental health-related field (Counseling, Psychology, or Social Work), or PsyD is required
• License in Oregon (LPC, LCSW, LMFT) is required
• Clinical experience within an integrated care delivery system is preferred
• Fluency in Spanish is preferred

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