Behavioral Health Counselor/Social Work

Job Description

Description

PeaceHealth is seeking a Behavioral Health Counselor/Social Work for a Full Time, Day position.  Hourly compensation starts at $31.18, more depending on experience.

JOB SUMMARY

Responsible for identifying and interacting with mentally ill and psychosocially complex patients and families who are likely to benefit from mental health treatment or social work services and who meet high risk criteria. Responsible for coordination of discharge planning services for these patients in collaboration with RN Care Management and other members of the care team. May function as either BH Counselor or Social Work role depending on training, certification and setting.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides mental health-focused care in a liaison role to non-psychiatric hospital care units, including the Emergency Department, through patient counseling, patient & family education and case management.
• Provides social work/case management services to mental health clients in psychiatric inpatient or day hospital settings.
• Works in a collaborative, multidisciplinary team to provide assessment, education, coping strategies and treatment planning to mental health consumers in a psychiatric day hospital, inpatient psychiatric or inpatient medical hospital setting.
• Identifies, plans and arranges for appropriate services necessary for psychiatric inpatient or psychiatric day hospital patients by applying a knowledge of services available in the community, state, and federal health regulations and admission, discharge and appropriate level of care. Coordinate effective planning and arranging for needed services upon discharge.
• Provides individual and group patient education and therapy, skills training and group activity therapy.
• Works as an integral member of the treatment team in the coordination of treatment and transition of care planning. Intervene by arranging community services, education and providing psychosocial support to prepare the patient and their family to manage their healthcare needs within the acute care setting and post discharge.
• Assesses and addresses both mental health and chemical dependency conditions. May perform risk assessments for suicidality and homicidality.
• Intervene by arranging services, education and providing psychosocial support to prepare the patient and their family to manage their healthcare needs within the acute care setting and post discharge.
• Serves as direct contact with community mental health agencies, including Designated Crisis Responders (DCR) for ITA evaluations. Serves as content expert on Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and Washington Administrative Code (WAC) chapters that pertain to mental health care and treatment, BHS procedures and BH ethical issues.
• Performs other duties as assigned, to include relief or surge support in other BHS programs or service lines.
• QUALIFICATIONS Required Unless Otherwise Stated

Court Liaison

• Author and file petitions for all involuntary mental health treatment procedures, pursuant to RCW 71.05
• Provide coordination between Superior court, defense and prosecuting attorneys, psychiatric providers, and other hospital/court staff for all involuntary treatment cases
• Set up and arrange the civil commitment hearings for those detained under the involuntary treatment act at St. John Medical Center
• Member of the 3N treatment team, participating in multidisciplinary staffing and other duties as needed to assist in the provision of safe care on the unit
• Mental Health assessment, diagnosis, and involuntary treatment recommendations for patients who are under ITA, consistent with Superior court rules and RCW 71.05
• Case investigation, witness interviews, formulating testimony and ITA case strategy

Discharge Planner

• Communicates with patients, family and outside referral resources.
• Demonstrates proactive communication with those involved with patient’s treatment.
• Provides resource information to patients and families as appropriate for future care needs.
• Document all patient contacts and discharge plans in the medical record.
• Educate patients on need for after care.
• Ensure all precertification's are completed for inpatient services.
• Interface with managed care organizations, external reviews and other payors.
• Actively communicate with interdisciplinary team members to acquire information and give updates on authorization

EDUCATION:

• Master’s degree in social work (MSW).
• In lieu of an MSW, the following qualifications and experience may be accepted:
• Master’s degree in counseling or related field with a minimum of two years’ work experience in a medical or healthcare setting, social service agency, or community organization focusing on health and/or welfare issues.
• Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field with a minimum of four years’ work experience in a medical or healthcare setting, social service agency, or community organization focusing on health and/or welfare issues.

EXPERIENCE/TRAINING:

• Minimum of two years employment in a healthcare setting or community agency dealing with health and/or welfare issues preferred. Minimum additional 2 years clinical mental health experience involving independent assessment and treatment highly preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of community health, welfare and social agencies.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to apply age specific principles of growth and development and life stages to meet each patient’s needs.
• Demonstrated proficiency in social work and/or mental health practice.

LICENSE/CERTIFICATION:

• Must have WA State credential in order to practice, either Washington State Agency Affiliated Counselor Registration (CAAR) – applied for and received within 90 days of hire OR one of the other applicable Social Work, Therapist or Counselor licenses at the time of hire

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including sensitivity to other cultures and ethnicities.
• Excellent skills in conceptual thinking, listening, problem resolution and planning.
• Demonstrated leadership skills.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Proficient computer skills including MS Office applications and electronic medical records.
• Knowledgeable about issues related to chronic illness, developmental disabilities, special needs, mental illness, grief and transition, substance abuse, domestic violence, child abuse and senior abuse.
• Good understanding and adherence to core social work values and ethics.
• Strong assessment. crisis intervention and consumer advocacy skills
• Strong professional MH role modeling and staff educational skills
• Strong group and individual counseling skills
• Strong consumer engagement skills
• In-depth knowledge of community resources
• In-depth knowledge of mental health laws

LONGVIEW PHYSICAL REQUIRMENTS

• Work requires normal amounts of physical effort at least 66% of the time.
• Ability to lift objects weighing 30 lbs. or less.
• Work is performed under normal working conditions with adequate lighting and ventilation.
• Job duties frequently require intense concentration and attention to detail (34-65% of work time).

See how PeaceHealth is committed to Inclusivity, Respect for Diversity and Cultural Humility.

For full consideration of your skills and abilities, please attach a current resume with your application.  EEO Affirmative Action Employer/Vets/Disabled in accordance with applicable local, state or federal laws.