Behavioral Health Consultant

Who We Are:

Neighborhood Health Center is a non-profit organization local to Portland, OR serving underserved patients in the areas of primary care, internal medicine, dental services and more. Our patient-centered approach to care honors the unique needs and circumstances of each individual patient. NHC sees people, not problems, and recognizes that the time spent as a patient in a doctors office is only one factor in a persons overall health. Our leading edge, integrated clinical teams work in partnership with patients, their families, and the communities we serve to provide whole-person care, prevention, and ongoing support.

NHC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate differences in the workplace and do not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (sex), national origin, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.

Why work with us?

• We offer our employees a competitive compensation and benefits package which includes 20 days of PTO (based on full time employment)
• 9 paid holidays
• health/dental/vision insurance
• quarterly wellness reimbursements
• generous 401k retirement plan with employer match
• employer paid disability insurance
• EAP and life insurance
• Our employees voted NHC a Top Workplace in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025!

Job Title: Behavioral Health Consultant
Department: Behavioral Health
Reports To: Director of Behavioral Health
Work Type: On-Site
Classification: Full-Time, Exempt
Language Differential: Eligible

SUMMARY

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 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 independently function 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. Fluency in Spanish is highly preferred for this position.

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 presenting 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.
• Clinical experience must be within the past five (5) year(s).
• Other duties as assigned.

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 highly preferred

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Behaviors

• Self-starter and team player, with an interest in both larger systems issues, and individual patient care
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced Primary Care or Specialty Care setting, requiring the ability to manage multiple competing demands, constantly re-prioritize, and succinctly communicate relevant information effectively to both patients and medical team members
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within an inter-disciplinary team
• Demonstrate current knowledge of cultural competency, particularly related to how variables related to socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, and culture impact physical and emotional health; demonstrated experience and working understanding of how these variables may impact presentation of various concerns in primary care settings.
• Ability and willingness to teach classes and groups relevant to the integrated behavioral health provider role (e.g., chronic pain management, diabetes and stress, insomnia, etc.).
• Experience and/or training in working with populations that range across the life span
• Demonstrated ability to appropriately, and professionally, present cases for review by the medical home/specialty treatment team, highlighting key clinical considerations, assessment needs, case formulation and treatment plan recommendations
• Clinical experience within an integrated care delivery system.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• This position is typically with a 40-hour per week, with hours that may vary.
• As a result of high-patient volume, this position experiences stressors that come along with a fast-paced environment.
• Must be able to travel during the workday and/or cover at other locations as needed.
• Speak clearly so that listeners can understand; hear and understand the speech of another person.
• Read from a computer screen for extended periods of time.
• Travel up to 15% for training and off-site team meetings.
• Regularly sit while working on the computer; use hands and fingers to handle, control or feel objects tools or controls; repeat the same movements when entering data; ability to differentiate between colors, shades, and brightness; read from a computer screen for extended periods of time.
• Frequently stand and walk around the office to gather supplies, required to do filing, use office equipment, or collaborate with employees.
• Occasionally stand, stoop and lift or move objects, equipment and supplies weighing approximately 20-25 pounds up to 40-50 pounds.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud, based on patient volume.
• Neighborhood Health Center Employment Offers are contingent on successful completion of reference checks, background checks, drug screening for illegal substances, Tuberculosis, and any position specific credentialing or licensure requirements.