Integrated Behavioral Health Specialist

About the Job

Objective/Overview

CUHCC's mission is to seek health equity in our community by advancing the well-being of diverse people. The clinic is known for providing high quality care to diverse patients and is moving forward in improving timely access to care for patients. This position contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of the clinic's services through integrated behavioral health interventions with patients. Staff in this position are a mental health resource embedded in medical/primary care and provide assessment and brief interventions for patients with mental and chemical health needs. Staff will utilize an approach that supports patients' holistic health goals, recovery, autonomy, and balances their care team's recommendations. Staff will provide care management services for high-risk patients that promote improved functioning, and the development of skills and management of chronic conditions of debilitating socioeconomic life circumstances. This position facilitates integrated care and acts as a resource for mental health and chemical health needs.

This position is primarily in person at our clinic location, with options for some remote work. Scheduled hours are between 7:30am to 5:30pm, Monday through Friday, with some flexibility in scheduling within those hours.

Essential Functions

Conduct mental and chemical health screening and assessments in medical visits (25%)

• Participate in workgroups related to patients' physical, mental, and chemical health screenings

• Review data on screening incidence, outcome, and follow-up

• Provide panel management for patients in crisis situations and/or with care plans for complex needs to ensure follow-up plan is under way

• Participate in training for MA/LPN, front desk staff, and/or providers to ensure universal implementation of mental health, chemical health, and domestic violence screenings

• Respond to provider's requests for additional support for patients with identified psychosocial needs or crisis situations as a result of positive screenings

• Participate in workgroups, projects, and/or clinic initiatives focused on improving client whole person care outcomes

• Review medical providers' schedules for patients' mental health, social, or substance use concerns, and facilitate brief pre-visit planning sessions

Provide brief interventions for patients' psychosocial and holistic health needs (25%)

• Assess social, mental health, and substance use needs while building rapport with patients

• Conduct screenings for chemical dependency, mental health symptoms, and social needs

• Document all services in electronic medical record (EMR)

• Promote harm reduction strategies and the recovery model tailored to patient's stage of behavior change

• Provide psychosocial education, skill building, behavior change, crisis intervention, suicidal ideation assessment, de-escalation, and/or goal planning

• Follow-up on emergency room visits (review discharge summary, planning, and follow-up)

• Schedule appointments, coordinate transportation, and/or provide no-show follow-up calls

• Obtain Releases of Information to communicate with patient's external care team and/or identified supports

• Participate in quality improvement efforts, care team consults, and interdisciplinary groups as assigned

• Create care plans with patients and their care teams that include patient goals and provider recommendations

Provide referrals to treatment for patients with mental and chemical health needs (25%)

• Complete referrals to internal (e.g. case management, ARMHS, care coordination, DV/SA advocates, pro bono legal clinic, pharmacy) and external supports (e.g. NA/AA, support groups, community centers, SUD treatment, government benefits, disability resources, etc.)
• Provide transitions of care (e.g. follow-up on a referral, communicate changes to care team, introduce patient to relevant staff members)

Other administrative duties (25%)

• Attend all staff meeting, care coordination team meeting, and workgroups related to psychosocial care coordination in the clinic

• Collect and maintain resources necessary to implement responsibilities of position

• Build community partnerships with corresponding agencies

• Engage in practices consistent with Health Care Home and Behavioral Health Home

• Participate in speaking engagements as assigned

Qualifications

All required qualifications must be documented on application materials

Required Qualifications

Must meet qualifications in one of the following ways:

1. BA/BS in one of the behavioral sciences or related fields including but not limited to social work, psychology, or nursing from an accredited college or university AND

At least 2,000 hours of supervised experience in the delivery of services to persons with mental illness OR is proficient in the non-English language group of the ethnic groups CUHCC serves.

OR one or more of the following:

has at least 6,000 hours of supervised experience in the delivery of services to persons with mental illness;

is a graduate student in one of the behavioral sciences or related fields and is formally assigned by an accredited college or university to an agency or facility for clinical training or

holds a master's or other graduate degree in one of the behavioral sciences or related fields from an accredited college or university and has less than 4,000 hours post-master's experience in the treatment of mental illness.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual and/or bicultural in one of CUHCC's dominant languages: Spanish, Somali, Vietnamese, Hmong, or Lao

• Masters degree in a clinical mental health field, including Master of Social Work (MSW), MA in Counseling and Psychological Services, or MA in Family Therapy

• Provisional licensure in Social Work (LSW or LGSW), clinical counseling (LPC), or marriage and family therapy (LAMFT), requiring supervision

• Experience in managing clinical care using an EMR

• Experience working in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) or community health

• Knowledge of community resources, social service agencies and/or health care reform

• Experience in cross-cultural behavioral/mental health service delivery.

• CUHCC reserves the right to change or add duties to this position consistent with the job classification.

About the Department

CUHCC serves nearly 11,000 patients a year through over 55,000 visits annually. The patient population comes from over 12 different racial and ethnic groups that span five continents. CUHCC's mission is to seek health equity in our community by advancing the well-being of diverse people. Candidates must be able to adapt behaviors to others' styles; interact with people who have different values, cultures, or backgrounds; be of service to difficult people; optimize the benefits of having a diverse workforce.

Teamwork is an essential skill to promote synergy within the organization. Candidates must be able to share due credit with coworkers; display enthusiasm and promote a friendly group working environment; work closely with other departments as necessary; support group decisions and solicit opinions from coworkers; display team spirit.

Candidates must have excellent communication skills and be able to clearly present information through the spoken or written word; read and interpret complex information; talk with customers or clients; listen well.

Staff is expected to demonstrate a high level of service delivery; do what is necessary to ensure customer satisfaction; deal with service failures and prioritize customer needs.

Benefits

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you'll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning. We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off

• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program

• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans

• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts

• University HSA contributions

• Disability and employer-paid life insurance

• Employee wellbeing program

• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity

• Financial counseling services

• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefits.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About the U of M

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).