Behavioral Health Specialist

GENRAL JOB DESCRIPTION

Behavioral Health Specialists for adults with behavioral health issues is a unique role, with an innovative design

for population based behavioral health services. The BHS collaborates in planning and leading initiatives and

programs that foster the integration of mental health services into the holistic care promised by the Medical

Home Model. This includes supporting and deepening the culture of collaboration among professional

disciplines, coordination of care and problem solving with cultural sensitivity to patients' beliefs and capacities.

DCSNO is marked by a foundational commitment to persons who are poor and vulnerable, with the attendant

health disparities and barriers to access to care. The BHS provides leadership and consultation to other members

of the Integrated Team, including instruction in basic behavioral health intervention skills.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITES
• Understands and manifests the Philosophy and Mission of DCSNO.
• Complies with standards of conduct and corporate responsibility.
• Conducts psychosocial assessments to assess patients' mental health status, and patient's and

family's emotional, social and environmental strengths.
• Develops plans of care based on psychosocial assessment findings.
• Uses brief one-on-one interventions or group sessions, to assist patients in managing both episodic

emotional, social or spiritual needs, and chronic health disorders.
• Functions as a member of the Integrated Team to improve coordination of services between physical

health and behavioral health.
• Works closely with primary care providers and other clinical staff in the treatment and management

of patients.
• Counsels patients around issues related to adaptation to diagnoses, illness, treatment and/or life

situation.
• Prepares and supports patients and families in dealing with stressful circumstances and crises in their

lives.
• Arranges, accesses and coordinates patient/family pre and post crisis care.
• Maintains working knowledge of and liaison with community agencies and resources.
• Provides teaching and training for students, staff and providers as it relates to basic behavioral health

assessment and interventions.
• Leads the team in crisis management, while providing appropriate interventions.
• Documents in the EMR record that meets the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA)

and the behavioral health practice standards.
• Maintains a working knowledge of relevant medical/legal issues that impact patient care, e.g.

advance directives, child and elder abuse.
• Participates in regular supervisory conferences; keeps current with social work and health care

developments and enhances professional practice and knowledge.
• Provides clinical orientation to the Behavioral Health or Substance Abuse Specialists role for newly

hired providers and staff, and for members of the Integrated Team.
• Participates in meetings related to the BH Dept, Medical Home Model, NCQA and BH Specialists.
• Participates in clinical and programmatic outcome evaluations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The

requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable

accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Masters Degree in Social Work or Masters in counseling from an accredited school of social work or

counseling program, and registered with the Louisiana Board of Social Work Examiners and

Professional Counselors as a LCSW or LPC. Minimum of 3 years work experience in behavioral

health/mental health services with adults, children, adolescents or youth.
• Understanding of holistic health care
• Authentically welcomes diversity
• Skill in facilitation of groups, adult learning
• Excellent Communication skills

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) desirable
• 5 years work experience in behavioral health/mental health services with adults, children,

adolescents or youth.