Social Worker (Behavioral HealthConsultant) - Moody AFB, GA

This position is located at Moody  AFB Behavior Health Valdosta, GA

This is an employed civilian Social Worker ( Behavioral Health Consultant) position that affords job security, a competitive base salary, bonuses, moving expenses, full malpractice coverage,  up to 26 days paid vacation, 11 days paid Federal Holidays, a sick leave benefit, CME opportunities, and a first-class health and retirement benefit package. 

Working for the Department of Defense comes with an abundance of benefits and perks to include competitive compensation packages, paid-time off, medical benefits, student loan repayments, and retirement package with Thrift Savings Plan to include matching employer contributions. For more information, please visit the following link: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/benefits/

POSITION DUTIES:
The DHA Primary Care Behavioral Health Program provides a team-based approach to healthcare byintegrating behavioral health providers and registered nurses into Patient Centered Medical Homesto deliver outstanding, evidence-based biopsychosocial assessment, treatment, prevention andmanagement of behavioral health problems and bio psychosocially influenced health conditions forMilitary Health System beneficiaries.

MAJOR DUTIES

1. Patient Care and Documentation
Functions as a full-time integrated team member in the primary care clinic using the Primary CareBehavioral Health (PCBH) model of service delivery. Screens and assesses patients, and performsPCBH model appropriate biopsychosocial evaluations using expert knowledge of general and specificconcepts, principles, procedures, and practices relating to clinical, clinical health, and primary carepsychology. Provides targeted assessment and evaluation of functional status focused in the contextof the presenting problem. Conducts brief assessments and formulates evidence-basedinterventions appropriate to a primary care setting for a wide range of behavioral health conditions,chronic medical conditions, and health behaviors affecting medical conditions. Provides evaluation,intervention and relapse prevention services in appointments lasting no more than 30 minutes forinitial and follow-up visits. Uses a stepped-care approach to maximize delivery of care within thePCMH. Triage and refers patients to Specialty Behavioral Health Care when services required exceed the BHC scope of practice. Assists with implementation and monitoring of treatment plans withPrimary Care Managers (PCMs) and other primary care team members. Use objective andmeasurable outcomes to evaluate treatment effectiveness and make adjustments if appropriate forincreased adherence and efficacy. Provide high level expertise in human behavior as a primary careteam member to develop and support specific clinical pathways or best practice programs fortargeted patient groups (e.g., patients with acute stress symptoms, chronic medical conditions,insomnia). Provides concise documentation of care and recommendations in patient’s medicalrecord beginning in the appointment and completed in no more than 72 hours after the patient is seen.

2. Consultation and Team Based Care
Provides timely and succinct feedback to PCMs regarding consultation findings andrecommendations as directed by the current DHA PCBH Administrative Instruction and DHAProcedures Manual. Determines if patient is appropriate to receive PCBH model services in theprimary care setting. Provides ongoing consultation services for a subset of patients who wouldbenefit from periodic, regular behavioral health monitoring and intervention for sustainingimprovement and preventing relapse (i.e., continuity consultation). Participates in all PCMHactivities to include huddles, provider meetings, peer review, and trainings. Actively works withPCMH team to identify patients who are appropriate for BHC services and facilitates processes toincrease same-day “warm handoff” of patients from PCMs to BHC. Works to increase overallpenetration into the enrolled clinic population by targeting common conditions with behavioralcomponents that are amenable to BHC intervention. Performs daily activities to increase BHCclinical productivity (e.g. scrubbing PCM appointment lists, circulating in the clinic and interactingwith staff, being vocal in morning huddles etc.)
3. Educational Activities
Develops, teaches, and provides oversight for classes that promote education and skill-building toenhance psychological and physical health, and promote behavioral change related to improvedhealth status. Conducts trainings for the primary care clinic to increase referrals and promoteunderstanding of the role of the BHC.

Performs other duties as assigned

US Citizenship required

Degree:   Master's degree (or higher degree) in social work from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. 

FOREIGN EDUCATION:  If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

Licensure:  This position requires a current, active, valid, and unrestricted clinical license to practice Social Work independently offered by a U.S. State, District of Columbia, Commonwealth, territory, or jurisdiction.

Specialized Experience:  One year of specialized experience which includes conducting bio-psychosocial evaluations of behavioral health patients, providing individual or group counseling, and developing behavioral health treatment recommendations. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service.