• Provides assessments and interventions to patients in the primary care clinic for any health problem influenced by behavior.
• Work effectively in a Primary Care Behavioral Health Consultation model (PCBH), an integrated care model in a variety of clinical settings.
• Conducts risk assessments, as indicated.
• Maintains a visible presence to the PCPs to support behavioral health efforts during clinic operating hours.
• Is available for same-day and scheduled behavioral health visits with patients but attempts to see all referred patients on the same day (if in clinic when the patient is referred)
• Is available for “curbside” consultation (a brief interaction between the BHC and a PCP) by being in the clinic or available by phone.
• Provides PCPs with same-day feedback on initial patient encounters (and, as needed, for follow-ups) either in person or via secured electronic message.
• Educates PCPs and the team in the basic principles of brief behavioral and cognitive behavioral interventions and reinforces their use in the medical visit.
• Performs follow-up visits within a consultative structure. Utilize brief behavioral visits (20-30 minutes), generally limited to 1-6 visits provided in primary care, and are seen as routine care.
• Coordinates care with specialty mental health providers as needed. Facilitates and assists with referrals to Behavioral Health Specialists (BHS) to ensure a smooth transition to traditional therapy models of care.
• Document and maintain clinical records, including writing progress notes with interventions performed and documenting recommendations made to a primary care provider promptly.
• Attends required meetings regularly, including the Provider, BHS Department meetings, and meetings to support El Cento de Corazon's integrative primary care behavioral health model.
• Support other programs at El Centro by providing behavioral health education.
• Meets the daily productivity goal of 10-12 patients per day with the primary goal of assisting the primary care team with the identification, treatment, and management of mental and behavioral health concerns.
• Abides by the agency’s policies and procedures and Behavioral Health Department Policies and Procedures.
• Participates in the organization’s and/or Behavioral Health Department’s quality improvement initiatives as directed.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Minimum – Two (2) years experience in an integrated healthcare environment in a patient/client contact role.
• Preferred – One (1) year of experience working with behavioral health issues in a primary care setting.

• Licensed to provide therapy by state board about individual’s profession (Psychologist, LMFT, LPC, LCSW) and abides by respective licensing board Code of Ethics.
• Bilingual (Spanish)
• The candidate must be in good standing with the credentialing board.
• Required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or willing to be administered vaccinations upon hire.

• Working knowledge of differential diagnosis of common mental health disorders.
• Working knowledge of evidence-based psychosocial treatments for common mental health disorders.
• Basic knowledge of psychopharmacology for common mental health disorders.
• Familiarity with social/human service practices, confidentiality, and risk/malpractice issues within health care settings.

• Ability to maintain effective and professional relationships with patients and other members of the care team.
• Ability to engage patients in a therapeutic relationship, when appropriate.
• Strong clinical and assessment skills, cultural competence, basic casework skills (referrals, advocacy), and strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Comfortable working in a medical setting as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Must be mission-focused and patient-care driven.
• Must be competent to independently provide brief evidence-based treatments.

• Flexibility to be able to work in different work settings and environments.
• Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to provide vision, feedback, and creativity to a growing and changing mental health department.

Serving Houston’s East End community since 1994, El Centro de Corazón (El Centro) is an accomplished Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) with three health centers and offers a comprehensive range of pediatric and adult health care services for the medically underserved and uninsured, which includes primary care, women’s health, dental care, and behavioral health services. El Centro also provides ancillary services, such as case management and eligibility assistance, to help patients and their families overcome obstacles to accessing health care services.