LPN _BH Integration Specialist

Position Summary:

The Behavioral Health Integration Specialist (LPN) is an essential clinical administrative team member, ensuring high-quality clinical care, a supportive team-based patient experience, and expert coordination and integration among multiple service lines and departments. Clinically, the role provides clinical nursing, care coordination, referral management, patient engagement, and behavioral health integration support services as appropriate to the position. The Behavioral Health Integration Specialist supports psychiatry clinicians and other members of the multidisciplinary team by providing nursing support, obtaining and documenting vital signs, completing medication reconciliation, assisting with patient intake and screening, pre-visit planning, coordinating referrals and follow-up, and supporting patient care needs within the scope of LPN practice.

The Behavioral Health Integration Specialist serves as a clinical and operational resource to the Behavioral Health Program Director and psychiatry clinicians by assuming responsibility for routine administrative tasks that support efficient delivery of behavioral health services and strong integrated care. The position works collaboratively with primary care, behavioral health, dental, pharmacy, care management, social work, and community partners to promote timely access to care and continuity of services.

The Behavioral Health Integration Specialist will practice within the scope of education, training, qualifications, experience, licensure, organizational policy, and applicable federal and state regulations.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

Behavioral Health Department Integration Support

• Assists the Behavioral Health Program Director with routine clinical and operational responsibilities including coordination of care and patient experience between CHWC departments and Behavioral Health.
• Maintains referral, follow-up, and patient outreach tracking systems.
• Assists with preparation for Behavioral Health meetings and activities.
• Maintains departmental resource lists and community referral information.
• Assists with collection and organization of departmental data.
• Supports implementation of Behavioral Health workflows, programs, and initiatives including quality improvement.
• Identifies operational barriers and develops potential solutions.
• Performs additional duties as requested.

Clinical Nursing Support

• Provides nursing support to psychiatry clinicians and other members of the behavioral health clinical team.
• Prepares patients for psychiatry and medication management appointments; obtains and accurately documents vital signs, including blood pressure, pulse, respirations, temperature, oxygen saturation, weight and other clinical measurements as directed or clinically appropriate.
• Performs behavioral health nursing intake and triage, obtaining relevant patient history and information, performing necessary behavioral health screenings, and ensuring complete documentation and visit preparation within the EHR.
• Completes medication reconciliation and identifies discrepancies or concerns for review by the psychiatry clinician or appropriate provider.
• Assists with provider-directed medication monitoring and follow-up including management of tasks related to prescriptions and pharmacy communication.
• Performs approved clinical procedures, point-of-care testing, and other nursing functions consistent with training, competency, and organizational policy.
• Assists with laboratory and diagnostic follow-up as directed.
• Provides patient education and reinforces provider-directed treatment recommendations within the scope of practice.
• Observes and reports changes in patient condition to the appropriate provider and clinical team members.
• Maintains accurate and timely clinical documentation in the electronic health record.
• Supports efficient patient flow and clinical operations within the Behavioral Health department.

Behavioral Health Referral and Care Coordination

• Receives, processes, tracks, and follows up on all incoming Behavioral Health referrals in collaboration with Patient Access Representatives (psychiatry, therapy, substance use treatment, group therapy, etc).
• Reviews referrals for completeness and directs referrals to the appropriate Behavioral Health provider or service.
• Contacts and assists patients regarding referrals, appointments, and follow-up needs.
• Tracks referrals through completion and identifies referrals requiring additional outreach.
• Follows up on missed or canceled appointments as appropriate.
• Identifies barriers to accessing care and communicates concerns to the appropriate clinical team member.
• Assists with referral coordination and transitions to other internal services including primary care, behavioral health, dental, care coordination, pharmacy, and social work. .
• Maintains knowledge of external community resources and assists patients in accessing appropriate services.

Patient Engagement and Follow-Up

• Conducts patient outreach as directed by the Behavioral Health clinical team.
• Assists patients with understanding appointments, referrals, follow-up requirements, and provider-directed care plans.
• Performs provider-directed telephone follow-up.
• Follows up with patients regarding appointments, referrals, laboratory testing, and other clinical needs.
• Reinforces education and treatment recommendations provided by the licensed clinician.
• Assists patients in identifying and addressing barriers to care.
• Documents patient contacts and follow-up activities in the electronic health record.
• Promotes patient engagement, continuity of care, and timely follow-up.

Clinical Safety and Escalation

• Recognizes abnormal vital signs and other clinical findings requiring provider notification, reports changes in patient condition.
• Recognizes potential medication-related concerns and adverse reactions and communicates them to the appropriate provider.
• Recognizes behavioral health safety concerns, including potential suicide or homicide risk, self-harm, acute psychiatric symptoms, intoxication, withdrawal, or other urgent concerns.
• Follows established organizational procedures for behavioral health emergencies and patient safety concerns.
• Promptly escalates concerns to the appropriate provider, supervisor, or emergency service.
• Practices within the scope of LPN licensure and recognizes situations requiring additional clinical assessment or intervention by a licensed provider.

Multidisciplinary Team Collaboration

• Works collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team model.
• Collaborates with Behavioral Health APRNs, physicians, LCSWs, nurses, medical assistants, care managers, social workers, and other members of the healthcare team.
• Communicates relevant clinical and care coordination information appropriately and in accordance with confidentiality requirements.
• Participates in team meetings, case consultation, quality improvement activities, and departmental initiatives as appropriate.
• Supports integration between Behavioral Health and all services at within the Health Center
• Promotes effective communication and continuity of care across healthcare settings.

Professional Practice

• Practices within the scope of LPN training, qualifications, experience, and licensure.
• Adheres to applicable nursing standards, organizational policies, procedures, and professional requirements.
• Maintains current LPN licensure and required certifications.
• Maintains professional competency through required education and training.
• Maintains appropriate professional boundaries with patients, families, coworkers, and community partners.
• Protects patient confidentiality and complies with HIPAA and applicable privacy regulations.
• Demonstrates sound clinical judgment and appropriately seeks assistance when patient needs exceed the scope of practice.
• Additional duties as requested.

Additional General Requirements:

Professional positive attitude, understanding of customer service principles, trustworthiness, excellent interpersonal skills, sound clinical judgment, attention to detail, and ability to work effectively with patients, families, providers, and members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team.

Job Qualifications/Requirements:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform his/her duties satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

Education:

LPN position requires graduation from an accredited practical nursing program.

Experience:

Previous experience as an LPN in a professional clinical setting required. Experience in behavioral health, primary care, community health, care coordination, or an integrated healthcare setting preferred.

Experience maintaining an EHR, obtaining vital signs, performing medication reconciliation, providing patient education, and coordinating patient care preferred.

Language Skills:

Must speak, write, and read English proficiently. Spanish preferred but not required.

Licensure/Certification Required:

LPN position requires a current, unrestricted Connecticut Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license and current CPR/BLS certification.

Must maintain all required licensure and certifications throughout employment.

Teleworking:

This position may require teleworking if requested. Employees working remotely are expected to maintain appropriate confidentiality, productivity, communication, documentation, and professional standards consistent with on-site work.

Standard Requirements:

• Supports an ethical standard, which complies with a code of conduct free of conflicts of interest.

• Supports the Mission and Values of Community Health & Wellness Center.

• Supports, cooperates with, and/or implements specific procedures and programs for:

• Safety, including universal precautions and safe work practices, established fire/safety/disaster plans, risk management, and security; reports and/or corrects unsafe working conditions and equipment repair and maintenance needs.

• Confidentiality of all data, including patient, employee, and operations data.

• Quality Assurance and compliance with all regulatory requirements.

• Compliance with current law and policy to provide a work environment free from harassment and all illegal and discriminatory behavior.

• Cooperates and works together with all coworkers.

• Plans and completes job duties with minimal supervisory direction, including appropriate judgment.

• Uses tactful, appropriate communications in sensitive and emotional situations.

• Follows up as appropriate with supervisor and coworkers regarding reported complaints, problems, and concerns.

• Promotes positive public relations with coworkers, patients, family members, and guests.

• Maintains professional boundaries and appropriate confidentiality at all times.

• Practices within the scope of LPN licensure, organizational policy, and applicable laws and regulations.

Salary Range for the position: starts at $32.64 an hour and salary depends on experience.

Robust benefits package include, but not limited to: Medical, Dental and Vision Insurances, HSA, Life Insurances, 403-b with matching contribution, Provider loan reimbursement.