Behavioral Health Specialist

Schedule: Monday - Friday, no weekends, no holidays

About the Position:

Under the supervision of the PACE Center Manager, contributes the profession’s unique psychosocial perspective to the interdisciplinary evaluation, assessment, plan of care, ongoing services, and disenrollment processes that occur once Reid Health PACE Center participants begin the intake process and continue with ongoing services. The Behavioral Health Specialist collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to ensure effective, efficient, and appropriate care to optimize the health status and quality of life of Reid Health PACE Center participants. The Behavioral Health Specialist is knowledgeable regarding social systems and institutions, individual behaviors, and can skillfully apply appropriate interventions to meet the needs of participants and their families.

Overview of Responsibilities

• Using all information resources available, assesses participants’ psychosocial health status and social work needs.

• In cooperation with the Care Team, plans and performs psychosocial interventions designed to keep the participant in the community and enhance quality of life to the greatest extent possible.

• Actively participates in interdisciplinary evaluation, assessment, and plan of care for all participants enrolled.

• Acts as a participant advocate and liaison between the participant and various governmental and private agencies to maximize the participant’s support network and obtain needed services.

• Acts as participant advocate and liaison between participant, family, and Care Team.

• Provides leadership within the Care Team to ensure continuity and coordination of care and supports staff development.

• In cooperation with the Quality Assurance Manager, participates in the Quality Management Program to support continued performance improvement.

• Provides social work interventions, which could include individual participant contacts; appropriate collateral contacts; participant and family education, assessment, and counseling; mobilizing resources; addressing mental health needs as they arise; ongoing case management; advocacy to ensure participant needs are addressed; and disenrollment procedures.

• Performs medical cart documentation according to established documentation standards in a timely manner.

• Complies with CMS PACE regulations as they pertain to this role.

• Consistently follows the Social Work Code of Ethics, treats all people with respect, maintains confidentiality, and strives toward service excellence.

• Continues professional development through attendance at staff meetings and engagement in educational opportunities to maintain professional competence and licensure.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and can be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities that management deems necessary.

Education & Experience

• Education Required: MSW

• Education Preferred: LCSW

• Experience Required: 1 year experience in a hospital, nursing home, or community-based setting

• Experience Preferred: 2+ years post-Masters experience; Mental Health knowledge, Geriatric experience, Community Resources, Medical terminology, Crisis Intervention, Ongoing Case Management

Licensure and Certification

• Licensure: As appropriate for degree

• Certifications: As appropriate for degree