Behavioral Health Care Manager (Pediatrics)

Exeter Hospital and Core Physicians, part of Beth Israel Lahey Health, proudly serve the beautiful NH seacoast region. Our principal mission is to work together to create healthier communities. What makes us unique is the spirit of our staff who are team-oriented and focused on providing outstanding patient care experience and quality outcomes for those we are privileged to serve. In addition, we want to ensure that our employees feel well cared for by offering a comprehensive benefits package, ongoing training and growth opportunities, wellness resources, special perks, and more.

Core Physicians has been recognized for Patient-Centered Model of Care. We are proud of the strong commitment Core places on delivering high-quality, comprehensive and accessible care to all patients.

The Behavioral Health Care Manager is a core member of the collaborative care team which includes the primary care physician and a consulting psychiatrist. The Behavioral Health Care Manager assists with collaborative treatment planning and patient care monitoring for patients with mental and behavioral health needs. The Behavioral Health Care Manager works directly with the patient/family in order to support and coordinate the care plan and coordinates with the primary care team, the psychiatrist, and outside services. The Behavioral Health Care Manager is responsible for the management of a patient registry.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, or other behavioral health-related field (i.e. clinical psychology, nursing, professional counseling). Master’s degree preferred. This role does not require licensure.  
• Working knowledge of Integrated Behavioral Health and Collaborative Care Models of delivery.
• Experience with assessment and treatment planning for common behavioral and mental health and substance-use disorders.
• Ability to effectively engage patients in a therapeutic relationship.
• Ability to engage patients in person and by telephone.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfortable working with multiple systems, including mental health, primary care, and community agencies.
• Basic knowledge of psychopharmacology for common mental health disorders.
• Experience with evidence-based counseling techniques.

Responsibilities:

1. Support the mental and physical health care of patients on an assigned caseload. Closely coordinate care with the patient’s medical provider and, when appropriate, other mental health providers.
2. Participate in the screening and assessment of patients for mental health disorders and facilitate patient engagement and follow up care. Care Manager is also responsible for proactive identification of patients who would benefit from Collaborative Care Management Services.
3. Foster an ongoing working relationship with community agencies such as mental health, school systems, adult/child protection, federal/state benefits, inpatient, outpatient or specialty programs. 
4. Provide brief behavioral interventions using evidence-based techniques such as behavioral activation, problem-solving treatment, motivational interviewing, or other treatments as appropriate.
5. Systemically track and document treatment response, changes of clinical symptoms, and patient engagement. Track patient follow up and clinical outcomes using a registry. Document in-person and telephone encounters with patients in EMR.
6. Support psychiatric medication management as prescribed by medical providers, focusing on treatment adherence monitoring, side effects, and effectiveness of treatment.
7. Participate in regularly scheduled caseload consultations with the psychiatric consultant (at least weekly) and communicate recommendations to the primary medical team as needed.
8. Facilitate treatment plan changes for patients who are not improving in consultation with primary care physician, therapist and/or psychiatric consultant and who may need more intensive or more specialized mental health care.
9. Facilitate referrals for clinically indicated services outside the organization (e.g. social services, neuropsychiatric testing, substance abuse treatment, etc.).
10. Other duties as assigned.