Per Diem Clinician

Summary:

Under the direction of the Director of Behavioral Health, Program Manager, and/or Supervisor, the Behavioral Health Clinician I (BHC-I) in the Partial Hospital Program is responsible for performing a wide range of duties involving patient evaluation, case management, treatment, discharge planning, and documentation. The BHC-I is responsible for gathering a psychosocial evaluation through interviews and record reviews and completing an assessment with case formulation and treatment plan. The BHC-I facilitates psychoeducational and psychotherapeutic groups as assigned and psychotherapeutic family and systems meetings. Position includes close collaboration with the treatment team, which may include a Psychiatrist, Psychiatric Advanced Practice Nurse, Supervisor, Behavioral Health Clinicians, Psychiatric Nurse and/or Mental Health Counselors. BHC-I must have excellent written, keyboarding, and verbal communication skills. Represents and supports Baystate Health’s mission to provide quality, compassionate care to members of our community while operating in collaboration with other clinical departments, emphasizing the important interaction between behavioral health, general health, and wellness. Contributes to Baystate Health’s four compass points of Safety, Quality, Experience, and Value, and demonstrates the BH values of Respect, Integrity, Service, Teamwork and Innovation in all interactions with patients, families, colleagues and collateral contacts

Adheres to system and department compliance policies, as well as any and all applicable laws and regulations. Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Responsibilities: 

1) Complete psychosocial evaluations including presenting symptoms, past history, assessment of mental status and risk assessment through patient interviews, collateral contacts, and record review.

2)  Identifies the reason(s) for admissions and in collaboration with the patient develops treatment goals and weekly updates.

3)  Facilitates/co-facilitates psychoeducational and psychotherapeutic groups to address treatment objectives.

4)  Complete discharge plans which address aftercare recommendations, step-down options, community supports, or other treatment needs. In collaboration with psychiatric providers, completes discharge summaries.

5)  Actively participates in the Multidisciplinary Treatment Team Meetings in order to coordinate the highest quality of care to patients. 

6)  Completes timely documentation of all clinical services in accordance with departmental policies.

7)  Assists the Supervisor in the intake process to ensure appropriate admissions as assigned. This may include collaboration with Central Intake or PHP intake staff, obtaining necessary insurance authorizations and conducting timely concurrent insurance reviews.

8)  Develops specialized clinical expertise as required and identifies appropriate goals that enhance professional development and institutional needs. Maintains licensure (if applicable), including earning of required CEU’s and adheres to all other practices and policies as outlined by Baystate Health, hospital-specific and department-specific policy manuals and employee handbooks. Contributes to the perspective of her/his professional discipline to the interdisciplinary care team and adheres to the profession’s Code of Ethics.

9)  Actively participates in departmental and program meetings, such as conferences, administrative meetings, program development, and other special committees.

10)  The BHC-I is an “independent license eligible” candidate. “Independent license eligible” is defined as an individual who has earned a Master’s Degree in a clinical field and who is eligible to become independently licensed within a given time frame, but needs to accrue qualifying work hours, clinical supervision hours, and/or a passing score on an independent licensure exam. The BHC-I is expected to obtain independent licensure by three (3) years after graduation from a clinical Master’s program (if hired within two (2) years after graduation), or one (1) year from date of hire (if graduation occurred more than two (2) years prior to date of hire). Exceptions, such as based on delayed work history after graduation, work history without qualifying clinical supervision, or other reasons, may be granted at the discretion of Program leadership

11)  This description covers the essential functions of the position. The incumbent is expected to perform other similar and related duties as assigned. Management has the right to add or change to job responsibilities at any time.

Skills/Competencies:

Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served in his/her assigned area. Demonstrates the knowledge and skill to facilitate individual, family, and/or group psychotherapy. Demonstrate the ability to provide care in a highly collaborative team setting.