GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Behavioral Health Clinician (BHC)/HealthySteps Specialist is a mental health professional with experience in early child development who will work in collaboration with the pediatric primary care team. The BHC-HealthySteps Specialist provides interventions, referrals, and follow-up support for families with children ages 0-3. The BHC/HealthySteps Specialist serves as liaison, building strong relationships with families and pediatric providers to increase the efficiency of the medical system while supporting a team-based comprehensive approach to care. As a member of an integrated system of care, the BHC/HealthySteps Specialist is responsible for providing behavior health support for pediatric patients and their families within the primary care setting.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conducts team-based well-child visits before, during, or following the primary care provider visits.
• Conducts patient-centered, strengths-based, culturally and linguistically-sensitive mental status exams and diagnostic assessments; administers and monitors evidenced based screenings, Post-Partum Depression Screenings, Social Determinants of Health (SDOH), Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment as needed.
• Provides support and education to parents and caregivers regarding early childhood development, early relational health/infant early childhood mental health, attachment and trauma-informed practice.
• Provides brief behavioral health interventions using evidenced-based techniques, problem-solving strategies, motivational interviewing, and other treatment modalities as appropriate
• Conducts consultations on a short-term basis for needs regarding development and/or behavioral concerns such as sleep, positive parenting, or picky eating, etc.
• May facilitate parent/caregiver groups.
• Collaborates with members of the care team, including primary care providers, care coordinators, and other community-based organizations and service agencies.
• Engages in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) initiatives to ensure the HealthySteps model is delivered with fidelity.
• Monitors the conduct of all eight Core HealthySteps Components including universal screenings, positive parenting and early learning guidance strategies.
• Coordinates workflows for optimal program efficiency
• Maintains and protects accurate and timely documentation in electronic medical case records according to agency policy and regulatory requirements.
• Assists with patients’ swift access to care, ensures performance outcomes are met and patients/families experience satisfaction with services (Triple AIM).
• Facilitates collaboration between primary care and behavioral health; participates in departmental case conference(s) and team huddles across the network of care.
• Participates in performance improvement/quality assurance activities designed to ensure organizational achievement of metrics/UDS and Value-Based performance.
• Participates in individual supervision and; reports all pertinent information to supervisor.
• Participates in staff meetings and other meetings, as assigned.
• Utilizes the DSM-V Diagnostic and Statistical Manual in the diagnostic assessment when appropriate.
• Completes Continuing Education requirements per licensing requirements and all Healthy Steps required trainings.
• Abides by all professional licensure Code of ethics and insures that license to practice is maintained.
• Understands and can effectively communicate HIPAA compliance, corporate compliance and client confidentiality.
• Ensures and/or remains in compliance with local, state, and federal regulation, i.e. OASAS, NYS DOH, HRSA, OMH, NYSED, Albany County DSS, CPS and Family Court.
• Adheres to the National Patient Safety Goals as defined by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and the Whitney M. Young Jr. Health Services.
• Completes other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Master’s degree in a behavioral health related field (social work, counseling, psychology, or human services), or be a clinician (limited permit).

Preferred Qualifications:

Licensed Mental Health Professional; experience working in a healthcare setting with children and families. Bi-lingual

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected status.

Salary range: $56,000 - $68,000 annually