Behavioral Health Specialist
Job Description
Job Description
Come join our awesome team as the Behavioral Health Specialist with Senior CommUnity Care of Colorado PACE.
Senior CommUnity Care of Colorado PACE is part of Volunteers of America National Services which serves as the Housing and Healthcare subsidiary of the Volunteers of America parent organization.
Pay: $65,000 - $83,000 annually *Relocation Bonus Offered
Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm, occasional weekends, required to travel to participant homes and between centers (Eckert & Montrose).
Employer/Employee Benefits:
- Medical, Dental and Vision insurance
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Flexible Saving Account (FSA)
- 403(b) - with discretionary contribution
- Paid Vacation/Sick Time
- Employee Referral Program
Benefits with minimal to no cost to employees:
- Scholarships
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Wellness program
- Life insurance (with an option to purchase additional)
- Short term disability
- Loan program
- NEW! NetSpend – Get paid early: Tap into 50% of your earnings after payday.
- Ministry Program
The Behavioral Health Specialist organizes and implements behavioral health services to Senior CommUnity Care participants and families. Provides behavioral health assessments, individual and group counseling in formats appropriate to clinical populations served. Conducts assessments of clients’ mental health and cognitive functioning and develops appropriate treatment plan. Collaborates as part of an interdisciplinary team and promotes professional working relationships with both internal and external customers. Represents Senior CommUnity Care PACE in community settings via formal presentations and community committees as appropriate.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Education: Master’s Degree from an accredited school of social work or counseling required. Be legally authorized, currently licensed, registered or certified if applicable in the state of employment. Licensed Professional Counselor or Licensed Clinical Social Worker required.
- Experience: A minimum of one year’s experience working with frail or elderly population required. Experience working on a multi-disciplinary team in a hospital, nursing home or community-based setting is preferable. Experience and training in bio-psychosocial assessments, dialectical behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused brief therapy, grief counseling, treatment of substance uses disorders and non-violent crisis intervention a plus. Experience with severe and persistent mental illnesses and personality disorders required.
Skills and Knowledge:
- Experience with frail/chronically ill elderly people.
- Ability to provide psychosocial assessment and individual, family and group counseling.
- Thorough knowledge and understanding of the DSM5/ICD-10 required.
- Effective verbal/written communication skills with the ability to maintain accurate records and to prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials.
- Ability to use and navigate on a computer, using MS Word and other applications. Ability to utilize computers and other electronic devices for tasks such as timekeeping, in-servicing and documentation.
- Training and/or mentoring experience and ability to complete performance objectives, measures and evaluations.
- Good public speaking skills with all size groups.
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively verbally and written.
- Only acts within the scope of his or her authority to practice. Must meet a standardized set of competencies for the specific position description established by Senior Community Care and approved by CMS after working independently.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Upon referral from Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) or Social Worker, performs in person initial assessments of Senior CommUnity Care participants to obtain a complete psychosocial history, which may include descriptions of cognitive status, social supports, family dynamics mental health and substance dependency and other issues and needs. Coordinates with the IDT to develop a comprehensive plan of care for each participant receiving behavioral health services. Reassesses participants as needed to assess progress in therapy. Keeps IDT apprised of changes and progress in treatment.
- Functions as a consultant to the IDT. Attends IDT when necessary to present updates related to significant changes with participant status, education related to care planning for participants receiving behavioral health services, or in absence of the social worker.
- Ensures that Social Workers are kept informed of behavioral health services offered to participants and coordinates care in conjunction with the Social Work Team.
- Provides ongoing support, counsel, and education to participants and family regarding a variety of issues, including but not limited to: mental health disorders, coping strategies, grief and loss, the aging process, and treatment for behavioral health.
- Presents recommendations to IDT for recommended services to support participants with mental health needs and psychiatry referrals. Supports Social Workers with coordination of care with psychiatry and external counseling services.
- Supports participants with access to community support regarding mental health services, self-help and other resources related to behavioral health.
- Follows all mandated reported guidelines regarding reporting of suspected abuse or neglect of an adult and coordinates with social worker as needed.
- Acts as a resource to other team members, including nursing, transportation, day center and home care staff, and therapy staff regarding topics such as severe and persistent mental health diagnoses, dementia, difficult behaviors, and difficult personalities.
- Completes and ensures completion of documentation of clinical service, in participant’s medical records including initial assessments, re-assessments, counseling sessions, home visits and other significant events according to Senior CommUnity Care documentation requirements.
- Assists participants and caregivers in filing grievances.
- Advises on day center or other programming offered via Senior CommUnity Care to meet the behavioral health needs of participants and caregivers.
- Acts within scope of his or her authority to practice.
- Follow all Senior CommUnity Care policies and procedures and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety guidelines.
- Protects privacy and maintains confidentiality of all company procedures, results and information about employees, participants, and families.
- Maintains safe working environment. Follows Senior CommUnity Care Safety policies and procedures.
- As appropriate, participates in and supports Quality Improvement Initiatives.
- Participates in continuing education classes and any required staff and training meetings. Maintains professional affiliations and any required certifications.
- Performs other duties as required.
Senior Community Care of Colorado (SCCCO) is a PACE Program (Program of All-Inclusive Care of the Elderly) serving older adults in Montrose and Delta Counties. Our team offers wrap-around care services to meet the unique needs of each of our participants and support them to remain living independently in their homes and communities. Our approach to care is based on our respect for the human spirit and the belief that the right to dignity doesn’t diminish with age. Compassion, empathy, personal attention are at the core of how we serve each and every program participant. Unlike other settings, getting to know our participants and building meaningful relationships are key to our success. SCCCO has centers in Montrose and Delta Counties, surrounded by the breathtaking Colorado scenery.
We want our staff to love their job and offer flexible work schedules and a comprehensive benefits package that support a healthy and active work-life balance. SCCCO is Great Place to Work-Certified for 7 years in a row!
Take pride in helping others and join us today!
At VOANS, we celebrate sharing, encouraging and embracing diversity. Equal employment opportunities are available to all without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We believe that blending individual strengths and unique personal differences nurtures and supports our organizations’ shared commitment to our mission and creates an inclusive and diverse environment where everyone feels valued and has the opportunity to do their personal best.