Behavioral Health Care Specialist
Job Code: BH1000
BH Care Specialists work as part of the BH Access Team embedded in the Emergency Department. The BH Access Team completes level of care assessments for individuals who present to the Emergency Department in crises related to mental health and/or substance use disorders. The BH Care Specialist plays a critical role on the team by tracking patient flow, providing updates on patients to Emergency Department medical providers, coordinating admission to the adult BH unit, obtaining initial insurance authorizations for patients admitted to the adult BH unit, and coordinating placement for children/adolescents requiring inpatient admission.
ABOUT US
We are welcoming a new era in healthcare where achieving good health is just the beginning. At UVA Health Northern VA & Culpeper, we believe in caring for the whole person by getting to know – and making connections with – our patients. By combining the talent and expertise of our people, the breadth of capabilities across our system, and our commitment to helping our communities get better and stay healthy, we are improving the patient experience.
As a UVA Health Northern VA & Culpeper team member, you will have a voice in patient care decisions, support the most advanced medical technologies and feel a strong sense of satisfaction from making a difference in people’s lives every day.
JOB TYPE
Classification: Nonexempt
Supervises Positions: No
JOB SUMMARY
The care specialist assists with patient education groups facilitating complex discharge plans inclusive of coordinating with the patient’s support system. and is a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team. The care specialist works to ensure safety, best practice and high-quality standards of care maintained throughout the discharge planning process and establishes care connections with providers when patients leave the hospital. They collaborate with providers and all members of the interdisciplinary treatment team to plan, implement and evaluate proactive complex and safe discharge plans with patient involvement. The care specialist collaborates with team members for guidance with medically and/or psychosocially complex cases. The care specialist serves as a resource for discharge planning and care coordination. They must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide services appropriate to the age and cultural diversity of the patients served. The care specialist will uphold and demonstrate the UVA Mission, Vision and Values, Compassion, Diversity, Personal Excellence and Teamwork.
Human Experience: Provides guidance to team members as they navigate patient concerns through teaching, good communication, and trust building behaviors.
- Utilizes relationship building skills through rounding to provide training and coaching to team members on how to effectively connect with patients.
- Uses patient feedback to create innovative ideas to meet patient needs.
- Ensures team members have pertinent information to educate patients on procedures and processes.
Teamwork: Develops and maintains positive relationships with team members, leadership, and community providers.
- Demonstrates a willingness to adjust activities to accommodate the needs of team members.
- Develops team members through mentoring, precepting, orientation, and timely feedback.
- Collaborates with leaders and other team members for positive experiences for patients.
Behavioral Health Expertise: Has a deep knowledge of psychiatric medications, psychiatric diagnosis, mental health concepts, and evidence based therapeutic interventions and treatments.
- Implements treatment plan using best practice modalities and interventions to obtain optimal patient outcomes.
- Establishes and maintains control of violent patients, defends self and others against violent assaults, and reacts appropriately during a psychiatric crisis.
- Continues professional development and assumes responsibility as a self-directed professional for continuing education.
Communication: Consistently utilizes professional communication within the interdisciplinary team and when handing off patient care.
- Communicates individualized plan of care and patient’s progress toward goals to all members of the care team including the patient and his/her chosen support system/legal guardian.
- Complies with required standards for medical/legal reporting and documentation situations.
- Accepts responsibility for actions and responds positively to feedback.
The incumbent may be asked to perform additional duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education: 4 Year/Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Human Services, or similar health related field required.
Experience: Minimum of 1 year of relevant experience preferred. Refer to the Life Support Training Policy for additional details.
Licensure: NVCI within three months of hire required.
Additional Skills/Requirements Required : Good working knowledge of computers. Ability to care for Behavioral Health age specific populations.
Additional Skills/Requirements Preferred : N/A
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Physical Demand Code: 18A, Mental Health Associate
Work Function/Activity : Medium to Heavy Physical Demand
The job requires constant sitting, standing, walking, and bending/stooping. Frequent repetitive body movements. Proficient communicative, auditory, and visual skills. Attention to detail and ability to write legibly. Ability to lift/push/pull up to 100 lbs. occasionally. For any weight over 35 lbs. use Safe Handling Equipment. This job description may not include all assigned duties, responsibilities, or aspects of the job described. It may be amended at any time at the sole discretion of UVA Health Northern VA & Culpeper.
OTHER
- May require the use of safety equipment, such as HEPA mask, for infection prevention: Yes
- On call responsibilities as directed: Yes
- Ability to travel between campus buildings, remote facilities, and out of town as needed: Yes