Behavioral Health Liaison

Established in 1980, the Greater Lawrence Family Health Center (GLFHC) is a multi-site mission-driven non-profit organization employing over 700 staff whose primary focus is providing the highest quality patient care to residents throughout the Merrimack Valley. Nationally recognized as a leader in community medicine (family practice, pediatrics, internal medicine, and geriatrics), GLFHC has clinical sites throughout the service area and is the sponsoring organization for the Lawrence Family Medicine Residency program.

GLFHC is currently seeking a Behavioral Health Liaison to join for our Behavioral Health (BH) Program. The Behavioral Health Liaison (BHL) serves as a vital link between patients seeking/being referred by the Primary Care Physician (PCP) to Behavioral Health Services/Team within GLFHC. The BHL will facilitate support to warm handoffs, during open access and to improvement of access to services for those patients with mental health needs. The BHL will ensure the effective management of all BH referrals and perform all necessary tasks including but not limited to processing, prior authorizations, scheduling and tracking of referrals for clinic patients.  The BHL must be knowledgeable about available resources and demonstrate cultural competence in working with diverse populations.

• Serves as communication liaison between GLFHC and mental health resources in the community.
• Assists the patients referred to mental health services through the healthcare system by acting as a patient advocate and navigator.
• Conducts data reporting to identify gaps in care or services and conducts patient outreach to facilitate follow up care or services. Maintain an actualized database of community mental health resources. 
• Process internal referrals from primary care clinicians to onsite mental health services.
• Review of health insurance status and complete health insurance preauthorization, determination of appropriate services/service provider, and scheduling of visit.
• Supports patient in preparing for and making behavioral appointments.
• Tracks behavioral appointments and develops and implements appointment reminder strategies.
• Coordinates with Behavioral Health Specialists in the development of a comprehensive care plan.
• Provides follow-up from office visits or telephone calls for non-clinical issues.

• Certificate in Human Services or related field (in psychology, social work, community health worker, etc.)
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Knowledge of behavioral health services and resources.
• Cultural competence and the ability to work effectively with diverse populations.
• Three (3) + years' experience of direct patient care experience
• Bilingual/bicultural - Spanish and English
• Functional capability to work with Word documents and Excel spreadsheets
• Ability to multi-task
• Reliable and dependable
• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills
• Strong teamwork and collaboration: The ability to work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals, including therapists, medical providers, and social workers, is essential for providing comprehensive care.