Behav Health Associate Grant Funded

Behavioral Health Associate – Grant Funded Job Code: 699664 Department: Behavioral Health Services Status: Nonexempt Work Schedule: Full‑time – Day Shift – Mon‑Fri 8:30am‑4:30pm / Some evening flexibility required. Job Summary Acts as an extension of the psychiatric providers and team. Works in collaboration with the behavioral health team, medical team, and community stakeholders, is responsible for assisting with tasks that are program specific but center around initiating/coordinating placement in appropriate level of care and/or aftercare planning for patients in order to ensure a smooth transition back into the community once symptoms are stabilized. Familiar with community resources and able to make referrals to community organizations/programs based on identified treatment needs. Maintains ongoing professional relationships with community organizations for ease of referrals, etc. Assists with obtaining insurance authorizations for treatment as needed, obtaining collateral information related to patient care/assessment, and help with completing psychiatric scales/measurement-based tools. Minimum Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Education & Training: High School Diploma is required. Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in Human Services related field preferred. Work Orientation & Experience: Requirements contingent on specific program/ acute care treatment setting. Training to gain specific capabilities to perform essential job functions may be necessary. Lived experience (mental health and/or substance use treatment) required. Previous experience working with acute mental illness and those impacted by trauma is required. Minimum of two (2) years of experience serving persons with chronic mental illness is preferred. Must be familiar with community resources and referral processes. Skills & Abilities: Ability to effectively communicate with patients, family members, medical team members and community stakeholders in a fast‑paced setting; Engage with patients in a patient‑centered, trauma‑informed manner; Thorough understanding of HIPAA requirements and confidentiality as it relates to care provided. Reporting Relationships Supervised by: Program Manager/Director Supervision provided to: None Physical Environment and Working Conditions The role includes sitting, standing, bending, climbing, reaching, pushing, pulling, stooping, walking, and lifting up to 50 lbs. It requires exposure to temperature changes, confined spaces, high noise levels, bodily fluids, ionizing radiation, infection hazards, and requires protective equipment. Travel between system locations may be required. Job Task List Work in collaboration with multi-disciplinary team in order to identify and link patient with appropriate community-based resources for aftercare with the goal of continued progress towards recovery. Work will be performed both on‑site and off‑site, as dictated by client needs. Prior to patient discharge, schedule outpatient appointments, access to home medications, and develop plan to overcome identified barriers to support treatment engagement. Identify and address barriers to recovery including, but not limited to, ineffective support system, finances, housing, and lack of transportation to increase likelihood of outpatient treatment engagement. When Behavioral Health Clinician is unavailable, review discharge plan with patient, patient’s family and/or significant other and community providers to ensure effective continuity and transfer of care at discharge as needed. Co‑facilitate group sessions, in coordination with Behavioral Health Clinician, when appropriate. Attend and participate in daily rounds and individual treatment plan meetings to better understand and effectively communicate the goals, strengths and barriers of patients in treatment. Effectively prioritize and manage guests’ care needs to ensure timely discharges. Assist with milieu management within the program. This may include assisting with transitioning from inside to outside activities, guest visiting times, or other guest activities. Uses person‑centered, recovery oriented language. Communicates using language that is trauma‑informed and compassionate. Maintains professional boundaries with guests/families to ensure optimal therapeutic benefit for guests/families served. Responds quickly, appropriately, and remains calm when intervening in crisis situations and/or if guest/family members become agitated or aggressive. Assist in maintaining up‑to‑date resource manual for relevant community supports, organizations, and providers. Serve as liaison between BH programs, community agencies, and community providers to ensure continuity of care and discharge processes for program clients. Performs guest safety and check‑ins throughout the shift as indicated by treatment protocol. May be required to obtain insurance authorizations/concurrent review authorizations for guests. Document all interventions in the EMR timely and accurately. Demonstrates self‑directed learning behaviors to maintain and improve clinical competence. Performs additional duties as assigned. Benefits All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. Compensation Pay Range: $23.00 Other Compensation Review the 2025-2026 UMMS Benefits Guide #J-18808-Ljbffr University of Maryland Medical System