Behavioral Health Consultant (BHC)/Infant Mental Health (IMH) Therapist

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Behavioral Health Consultant (BHC)/Infant Mental Health Therapist is an integrated member of the OB/GYN health care team who provides behavioral health and Infant Mental Health expertise to patients, families, and medical providers throughout the perinatal period. The position promotes comprehensive maternal, infant, and family wellness through early identification and intervention for behavioral health concerns, including perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs); brief evidence-informed behavioral health interventions; support for healthy parent-infant attachment and bonding; care coordination and referral; and consultation with medical providers regarding behavioral health, infant mental health, and family needs. The BHC/Infant Mental Health Therapist works collaboratively within the medical setting to strengthen the integration of behavioral and physical health care, reduce barriers to behavioral health services, promote healthy early relationships, and improve outcomes for parents, infants, and families.

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND / OR EXPERIENCE:

- Master’s degree in social work, counseling, psychology, marriage and family therapy, or another related behavioral health/human services field from an accredited institution.

- Current registration, licensure, or eligibility for appropriate professional licensure as a social worker, professional counselor, psychologist, marriage and family therapist, or other qualified behavioral health professional in the State of Michigan, as applicable to the position.

- Infant Mental Health endorsement, certification, or other agency-approved Infant Mental Health credential required upon hire or within the timeframe established by Starfish Family Services.

- Clinical experience providing behavioral health, Infant Mental Health, perinatal mental health, family-centered, or related services preferred.

- Experience working with pregnant and postpartum individuals, parents, infants, and families strongly preferred.

- Experience working within an integrated health care, primary care, OB/GYN, pediatric, or other interdisciplinary medical setting preferred.

- Experience providing brief, focused, evidence-informed behavioral health interventions preferred.

- Experience conducting behavioral health screening, assessment, treatment planning, care coordination, and referral services.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

- Knowledge of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) and other behavioral health concerns that may occur during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

- Knowledge and ability to administer, interpret, and respond appropriately to standardized behavioral health and perinatal mental health screening tools within the scope of professional practice and agency protocols.

- Knowledge of Infant Mental Health principles, infant and early childhood development, attachment, bonding, early relational health, and the importance of the parent-infant relationship.

- Ability to assess and support parent-infant attachment and bonding, responsive caregiving, parental reflective capacity, and the social-emotional needs of infants and families.

- Knowledge of adult behavioral health, including depression, anxiety, trauma-related symptoms, substance use concerns, and other conditions that may affect pregnancy, parenting, relationships, and family functioning.

- Knowledge of trauma, toxic stress, adverse childhood experiences, interpersonal violence, social determinants of health, and their potential effects on pregnancy, parenting, infant development, and family wellness.

- Competence in conducting behavioral health and psychosocial assessments, identifying strengths and needs, evaluating risk and protective factors, and developing appropriate intervention and referral plans.

- Demonstrated skill in providing brief behavioral health interventions appropriate to an integrated medical setting.

- Ability to provide psychoeducation, anticipatory guidance, motivational support, behavioral strategies, emotional regulation interventions, and other focused behavioral health services within the scope of practice.

- Ability to recognize behavioral health concerns requiring additional assessment, specialty mental health treatment, crisis intervention, or a higher level of care and to facilitate appropriate referrals.

- Knowledge of crisis assessment and intervention, including appropriate response to concerns related to patient safety, in accordance with professional standards and agency protocols.

- Demonstrated ability to function as a behavioral health and Infant Mental Health consultant to medical providers and other members of an interdisciplinary health care team.

- Ability to communicate behavioral health and family mental health information to medical providers clearly, concisely, and in a manner that supports collaborative treatment planning and coordinated care.

- Ability to work collaboratively with physicians, nurses, medical assistants, behavioral health professionals, community providers, and other members of the care team.

- Knowledge of community-based mental health, Infant Mental Health, social service, parenting, substance use, domestic violence, basic-needs, and other family-support resources.

- Ability to connect patients and families with appropriate mental health and community resources and conduct follow-up to assess whether successful linkage occurred.

- Ability to identify and address barriers to engagement in behavioral health and community-based services.

- Ability to provide culturally responsive, trauma-responsive, relationship-based, family-centered, and respectful care to individuals and families from diverse backgrounds.

- Ability to provide individual, parent-infant, family, and group interventions when clinically appropriate and within the scope of the program.

- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced medical environment and provide timely consultation and intervention during or in coordination with medical visits.

- Ability to make sound clinical decisions independently while recognizing when consultation, supervision, or additional clinical support is indicated.

- Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, medical providers, community partners, supervisors, and colleagues.

- Ability to maintain timely, accurate, and clinically appropriate documentation in accordance with agency, payer, regulatory, and integrated-care requirements.

- Knowledge of confidentiality, informed consent, professional ethics, and applicable requirements related to sharing and coordinating behavioral health information within an integrated health care setting.

- Ability to meet established productivity, documentation, training, and program expectations.

- Commitment to ongoing professional development in perinatal mental health, Infant Mental Health, integrated behavioral health, trauma-responsive practice, and other areas relevant to the position.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Screen for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) and other behavioral health concerns using standardized screening tools and clinical assessment, as appropriate.

- Conduct behavioral health and psychosocial assessments to identify patient strengths, needs, risk factors, protective factors, and barriers to care.

- Provide consultation to patients and medical providers regarding screening and assessment results, behavioral health concerns, and recommended next steps.

- Provide brief behavioral health interventions within the medical setting using evidence-informed, trauma-responsive, culturally responsive, and relationship-based approaches appropriate for integrated care.

- Provide psychoeducation, anticipatory guidance, and supportive interventions related to perinatal mental health, stress, trauma, emotional regulation, parenting, infant development, and family well-being.

- Support parent-infant attachment and bonding by promoting responsive caregiving, parental reflective capacity, understanding of infant cues, and healthy early relational development.

- Identify concerns related to the developing parent-infant relationship and provide Infant Mental Health-informed interventions, consultation, or referral when additional support is indicated.

- Address patient concerns related to pregnancy, postpartum adjustment, parenting, family relationships, behavioral health, and psychosocial factors affecting health and well-being.

- Consult and collaborate with OB/GYN physicians, nurses, medical assistants, and other members of the health care team regarding infant and family mental health needs, behavioral health concerns, treatment planning, safety considerations, and appropriate levels of care.

- Participate in interdisciplinary care planning and promote communication and coordination among behavioral health, medical, Infant Mental Health, and community-based providers.

- Connect patients and families to appropriate mental health and community resources, including outpatient behavioral health services, Infant Mental Health services, psychiatry, community mental health, substance use treatment, domestic violence resources, basic-needs supports, parenting resources, and other community-based services.

- Coordinate referrals and conduct follow-up to determine whether patients successfully connected with recommended services and identify and address barriers to engagement.

- Assess and respond appropriately to behavioral health and safety concerns, including concerns requiring crisis intervention or referral to a higher level of care, in accordance with agency policies and clinical protocols.

- Promote trauma-responsive care by recognizing the potential impact of trauma, toxic stress, adverse childhood experiences, interpersonal violence, and other psychosocial stressors on pregnancy, parenting, family functioning, and health outcomes.

- Provide outpatient Infant Mental Health and behavioral health services, including parent-infant, individual, family, and group interventions, when clinically appropriate and within the scope of the program.

- Facilitate groups, educational activities, and other interventions designed to support perinatal mental health, parenting, infant development, and family wellness as needed.

- Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with community providers and referral partners to strengthen continuity of care.

- Participate in outreach, education, and training activities with medical providers, community partners, and other professionals regarding perinatal behavioral health and Infant Mental Health.

- Maintain timely, accurate, and clinically appropriate documentation of screenings, assessments, interventions, referrals, follow-up activities, billing information, and other required records.

- Participate in individual, clinical, reflective, and/or group supervision as required.

- Participate in ongoing professional development related to integrated behavioral health, perinatal mental health, Infant Mental Health, trauma-responsive care, brief intervention, and other areas relevant to the position.

- Maintain professional and ethical standards and comply with Starfish Family Services policies related to confidentiality, documentation, productivity, training, clinical practice, and integrated care.

- Perform other related duties as assigned by the supervisor or organizational leadership.

- Perform other related duties assigned by supervisor or other management.

- NOTE: The job duties listed are typical examples of the work performed by the position in this job classification. Not all duties are included.  It is expected an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

- The employee fulfilling this job is accountable to the assigned supervisor for completion of assignments and to the high standards of accuracy, attention to detail, and timely completion of work.  Expectations include: a pleasant, empathetic, sensitive and professional demeanor, a positive attitude and a willing spirit.  The employee must be willing to engage in professional development efforts as available to the position and required by senior management

LICENSING AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

- Valid driver’s license and / or reliable transportation.

EEOC Statement: Starfish Family Services is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of SFS not to discriminate in its employment and personnel practices because of a person’s race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, age, height, weight, marital status, disability or any other basis protected by federal, state, or other applicable law.