Behavioral Health Specialist

Sea Mar Community Health Centers, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) founded in 1978, is a community-based organization committed to providing quality, comprehensive health, human, housing, educational and cultural services to diverse communities, specializing in service to Latinos in Washington State. Sea Mar proudly serves all persons without regard to race, ethnicity, immigration status, gender, or sexual orientation, and regardless of ability to pay for services. Sea Mar's network of services includes more than 90 medical, dental, and behavioral health clinics and a wide variety of nutritional, social, and educational services. We are recruiting for the following position:

Sea Mar is a mandatory COVID-19 and flu vaccine organization

Behavioral Health Specialist- Posting #25468

Hourly Rate: $21.22

Position Summary:

Full-Time Behavioral Health Specialist position available for our Care Management Departments in Tacoma, WA at the Cushman location. The Specialist is responsible for providing support to patients and families, and technical or caseload support to the care management team. They will meet with patients in their home, community, or clinic, and will assist with skill building and achieving small steps toward goals they have set. This position will assist with groups such as Living Well with Chronic Conditions, or Chronic Disease Self-Management Program. As an Advocate for those with chronic conditions, this person will have an understanding of common chronic conditions, and the emotional issues that can come from these conditions.

The Behavioral Health Specialist provides primary community support/case management to mentally ill, homeless, and substance abuse Sea Mar clients.  This person participates actively as a team member in the delivery of client services, and the coordination of community support services. This job description does not suggest or imply that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. Minor variations in duties will vary depending to what department they are assigned. The person in this position will be required to follow other instructions and to perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: include the following.

• Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span.
• Able to identify and categorize each patient’s age-specific grouping of needs, such as those for infant, adolescent, or geriatric patients.
• Conducts intake screenings to determine client’s need for case management.  Interviews client, (either in home or at clinic) performing systematic social services assessment to determine current status and needs in a variety of areas.  Makes a Client Service Plan with each client for each activity that will be done with the client.
• Makes referrals, based on identified need, to appropriate agencies/services or provides information and assists client for self-referral.
• Maintains regular contact with client, including home visits, and provides advocacy as needed to encourage cooperation in implementing the Service Plan or to resolve problems which are interfering with active participation in plan (such as transportation or language barrier).
• Maintains files that document case management activities as required by the State and the clinic.
• Assists client in accomplishing necessary tasks in accessing services such as filling out appropriate forms, obtaining necessary documentation or authorization and finding transportation.
• Participates in regular interdisciplinary team case reviews.
• Will promote a positive team approach.  Team member will collaborate with all staff members to provide comprehensive services that are individualized to best serve each client and will welcome and orient all new staff and visitors in a positive manner.
• Maintains professional standards and follows the treatment policies and procedures of the agency, as well as applicable federal, state, and local regulations.  Completes daily record keeping as directed by the Program Manager.  Reports any unusual incidents to the Program Manager.  As the Case Manager is a State mandated reporter, he/she will report to the State any suspected case of child/elder abuse or neglect as mandated by WAC.
• Observes and assesses clients’ basic needs, strengths and weaknesses, and refers client to appropriate department as needed.
• Participates in supervision as directed and provided.

Education and/or Experience:

• Must be a High School Graduate, have a GED or equivalent; Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• One year paid or volunteer experience providing medical, social service or behavioral health case management or care coordination.
• Must have attended or plan to attend shortly after hire: WA State Community Health Worker Training and/or Chronic Disease Self-Management training. WA State Care Coordinator training is recommended.
• Must have and maintain a CPR certification or obtain it within the initial probationary period.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance.
• Must have the ability to write routine reports and correspondence and ability to speak effectively before groups of customer or employees of the organization.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.

What We Offer:

Sea Mar offers talented and motivated people the opportunity to work in a dynamic and growing community health organization. Working at Sea Mar Community Health Centers is more than just a job, it’s a fulfilling career with opportunity for advancement. The fringe benefits surpass most companies. For example, Full-time employees working 30 hours or more, receive an excellent benefit package of:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Prescription coverage
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• EAP (Employee Assistance Program)
• Paid-time-off starting at 24 days per year + 10 paid Holidays. 

We also offer 401(k)/Retirement options and an exciting opportunity to work in a culturally diverse environment. 

How to Apply:

To apply for this position, complete the online application and click SUBMIT or APPLY NOW. If you have any questions regarding the position, email James Presson, Program Manager at [email protected].

Sea Mar is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Posted 8/18/2023

Reposted on 9/4/2024

This position is represented by Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU).

Please visit our website to learn more about us at www.seamar.org. You may also apply through our Career page at https://www.seamar.org/jobs-general.html.