Behavioral Health Clinician

Position Summary

Conducts clinical and psychosocial evaluations of consumers at the request of the County Office of Mental Health or designee. Functions as leader or co-leader in trauma recovery training and educational groups.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Schedule appointments with the referring individual to interview consumers. Advise which materials must be included in the referral packet.
• Interview the consumer, including a mini-mental status exam, as appropriate, consult with available members of the treatment team, and assure that all required forms are completed properly and included in the referral packet;
• Initiate all contacts necessary to formulate a clinical opinion of the consumer’s need for extended hospitalization, including family members, case management and/or residential staff, etc.
• Review all related documentation and prepare the assessment.
• In the event the recommendation is for extended care, the Behavioral Health Clinician is required to prepare packets, and distribute same, including copying and delivery to EAC units, when necessary;
• Maintain communication with the referral staff as may be necessary to assure appropriate disposition of the referral.
• Review mental status and response to treatment each week with the referring clinical team members; prepare a written summary in format provided, re-assess as indicated to determine the need for continued inpatient care.
• Participate in staff meetings and case conferences as needed.
• Ability to formulate a short-term transitional treatment plan, including monitoring of the discharge plan for consumers in EAC and documentation of discharge process.
• Conduct case monitoring of all consumers on the EAC waiting list, including clinical oversight of treatment provision, attention to medical and residential needs, and advocacy; prepare written reports as requested.
• Understanding of diagnostic criteria and appropriate treatment approaches, clinical guidelines or best practices.
• Perform as leader or co-leader in trauma recovery focused training and educational groups.
• Knowledge of community-based resources in Philadelphia.

Skills Required

Excellent clinical, interviewing, assessment/evaluation skills; thorough knowledge of the DSM-IV, initial status exam and multi-axial diagnostic system, knowledge of medical necessity criteria and the Pennsylvania Client Placement Criteria, knowledge/capability to learn and execute trauma focused training, thorough knowledge of MS Word and Excel; excellent writing ability