Behavioral Health Advocate Part Time Internal Medicine Clinic

We're looking for a Behavioral Health Advocate, Part Time, to work in our Internal Medicine Clinic! 

This is a part time, day shift position! 

As the Behavioral Health Advocate, you will: 

Under direction from the LCSW or Clinic Director, ensure continuity and coordination of care across transitions for all patients, with special attention to patients with complex medical, behavioral and social needs. 

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Act as a patient advocate.
2. Communicate patient’s health status accurately in verbal and written reports to appropriate health care providers (i.e. behavioral health practitioners, nurse supervisor, providers).
3. Communicate effectively, courteously and collaboratively with patient/family, providers, supervisors and co-workers.
4. Maintain patient confidentiality.

1. Collaborates with the Clinic Director to integrate patient into behavioral health, care coordination and care management planning and communications, assuring that the patient is informed and supported in decision-making.
2. Under the direction of Clinic Director, Behavioral Health Director, providers, or nursing staff, contribute to patient education, resources, coaching and support of patients at Internal Medicine prior to discharge.
3. Assists in management of patients identified by the Internal Medicine team as highest risk or in need of care management.
4. Assists in managing all health patients to reduce risk, decrease hospital and ER utilization, and improve outcomes.
5. Assists in maintaining a care management registry for documentation of highest risk patients, care management interventions, and care plans.
6. Communicate in a timely and consistent manner with the Clinic Director and Internal Medicine team to identify highest risk patients and to maximize the management of patient needs and related risk reduction.
7. Coordinate care with other care managers (home health care, payer case managers, RN Case Managers etc.) community social resources and specialists to maximize care and promote patient safety.
8. Utilize behavioral strategies and motivational interviewing during integrated visits to assist patients in adopting healthy behaviors, improving self-care, improving social support and managing chronic disease.
9. Manage Social Determinant of Health Needs of the patient population through use of referral systems, community resources and VVH resources to optimize patient health and access to basic needs like food, transportation, safety, housing. 
10. Provide culturally appropriate health education and basic counseling on medical, social and lifestyle recommendations, within scope of licensure and/or training and within scope of practice.
11. Develop and support effective partnerships within the community to best meet patient needs.
12. Demonstrates commitment to professional growth through participation in workshops, educational programs, and review of literature, in-services, and staff meetings to meet the changing needs of patients and health team members.
13. Ensure that the appropriate internal/external providers, facilities and ancillary services are utilized in referral process.
14. Appropriately seeks guidance or assistance, when necessary.
15. Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.

QUALIFICATIONS:

 Education:

• Associate or bachelor's Degree in related field is preferred but not required.
• Current BLS endorsed by the American Heart Association (AHA) or obtained within 3 months of hire.

Skills: 

• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to understand and present verbal instructions and to exchange verbal information.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective, courteous working relationships with patients/families, co-workers and others.
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to prioritize and perform multiple tasks.
• Ability to work in Windows based computer environment.
• Ability to work in professional manner.

Experience:

• Experience in behavioral health and/or substance abuse field is preferred.
• CAC I or higher is preferred.

• $20.00 to 28.87/hour
• Entry salary dependent upon education, skill set, and experience.
•  Annual Bonuses based upon organizational and individual performance.

Valley View is a qualifying employer for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program!

This position will be open for a minimum of three days and until a top applicant is identified.

 At Valley View, our mission is to provide convenient, connected care to the communities of Western Colorado with scope, technology, and expertise that are rarely found in regional hospitals.