Behavioral Health Consultant (BHC)- Bilingual

JOB SUMMARY

The Behavioral Health Consultant works as part of the Integrated Care Team to provide integrated behavioral health care within primary care and school-based settings. This position reports to the Behavioral Health Manager. The BHC is primarily responsible for providing clinical services to children, adolescents, adults, and families and may be required to work evening and/or weekend shifts.

The BHC will conduct one-on-one, group, and family therapy services aimed at helping patients improve their quality of life. The BHC will provide direct support and advocacy services aimed at enhancing patients' development, problem-solving, and coping capacities, as well as linking patients and families to appropriate resources and services.

This position requires fluency in both English and Spanish and the ability to provide behavioral health services to patients and families in both languages. The BHC will be required to provide onsite behavioral health services at Beethoven School three (3) days per week, including services to children and adolescents. Remaining workdays and locations may vary based on referral volume, patient needs, and organizational requirements. Some locations may require evening hours.

JOB DUTIES

Clinical Duties

• Screen and assess patients, including children, adolescents, and adults, and provide brief, evidence-based therapeutic interventions, completing at least 12 clinical consultations per day.
• Provide walk-in and scheduled consultations, including individual and family counseling, screening, assessment, brief treatment, patient engagement, outreach, advocacy, and resource linkage.
• Provide onsite behavioral health services at Beethoven School three (3) days per week, including assessment and therapeutic support for children and adolescents.
• Provide behavioral health services to English- and Spanish-speaking patients and families using culturally responsive and developmentally appropriate interventions.
• Provide referrals, care coordination, crisis assessment/triage, and appropriate interventions in collaboration with physicians, psychologists, social workers, school personnel, and other professional staff.
• Participate in case consultations, supervision, and continuing professional development to maintain clinical competency and knowledge of evidence-based practices.
• Develop and maintain knowledge of community and behavioral health referral resources.
• Maintain patient privacy, safety, confidentiality, dignity, and rights while adhering to ethical, legal, regulatory, and accreditation standards.
• Collaborate with the care team to coordinate services and support patient recovery and continuity of care.
• Maintain working knowledge of psychopharmacology.

Administrative & Data Management

• The BHC must be able to work efficiently with multiple software systems, Word, Excel, Centricity and EPIC. 
• Brief and efficient documentation and scheduling in electronic health record, in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures. 
• Maintains up to date knowledge of billing codes and other third-party reimbursement sources.
• Maintain personal provider desktop referrals, including scanning, faxing, and responding to messages.
• Participate in daily huddles, care team meetings, and patient care conferences to support team-based care.
• Monitor and report abnormal refrigerator temperatures for vaccine and specimen storage.

Customer Service & Communication

• Provide exceptional patient-centered care, always maintaining a professional and respectful demeanor.
• Communicate with pharmacies, providers, and patients regarding prescriptions, refills, and medication education.
• Ensure adherence to HIPAA policies by always maintaining patient confidentiality.
• Assist patients and families in understanding discharge instructions, referrals, and follow-up care plans.

General Responsibilities

• Adheres to all department/Friend Health- HRDI clinic policies/procedures and Professional Code of Ethics.
• Participate in staff training, in-services, and continuing education to maintain competency.
• Maintain compliance with infection control protocols and designated isolation procedures.
• Support emergency response efforts, including basic life support and first aid as required.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned within the scope of responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s or doctoral degree in counseling, psychology, or social work required.
• Licensed in the State of Illinois as an LCSW, LCPC, or Licensed Clinical Psychologist is required.
• Bilingual English/Spanish required.
• Experience providing behavioral health services to children and adolescents required.
• Two to four years of behavioral health or related clinical experience preferred.
• Experience with clinical psychosocial diagnosis, direct patient care, consultation, and evaluation.
• Experience working with underserved and diverse populations.
• Experience working with patients with co-occurring mental health, substance use, social, and physical health challenges.
• Strong documentation, data entry, case management, and care coordination skills.
• Ability to exercise sound clinical judgment and work independently.

SMART GOALS

• Increase client retention rate by 10% over the next six months by implementing new check-in procedures and flexible scheduling. 
• Complete continuing education training as required to maintain licensure and enhance client outcomes.
• Engage in regular self-care practices and seek support to manage the emotional demands of clinical work.

WORKING CONDITIONS

 The unavoidable, externally imposed conditions under which the work must be performed, and which create hardship for the incumbent including the frequency and duration of occurrence of physical demands, environmental conditions, demands on one’s senses, and mental demands.) None known.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS

This job description is to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee’s ability to perform the duties as described. This job description is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned as deemed appropriate commensurate to the position. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and Friend Health - HRDI reserves the right to change this job description and /or assign tasks deemed as needed.

BENEFITS 

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 403(b) Retirement Plan 
• Paid Time Off (PTO) & Paid Holidays
• Life Insurance & Disability Coverage
• Tuition Reimbursement & Professional Development Opportunities
• Wellness Programs & Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

Friend Health – HRDI is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, marital or parental status, sexual orientation including gender identity, gender expression, military discharge status, physical or mental disability, or any other status or characteristic protected by law. In addition, Friend Health – HRDI provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws (including during the application or hiring process). Friend Health - HRDI supports the Pay Transparency Law as an equal opportunity employer.

Join our Team!

Are you passionate about improving the mental well-being of individuals in underserved communities? At Friend Health – HRDI, we are committed to delivering high-quality, integrated care to those who need it most. As a Behavioral Health Consultant, you’ll play a critical role within a collaborative care team, helping patients achieve emotional wellness through compassionate, evidence-based support.

If you are a licensed behavioral health professional who thrives in a fast-paced clinical environment, values teamwork, and is driven by purpose—we invite you to join our mission and make a meaningful impact every day.