Integrated Behavioral Health Provider - PHC @ Mercy

Are you looking for an opportunity to do amazing work helping others? You've come to the right place. Let's make a difference!

Primary Health Care (PHC) was founded in 1981 by Dr. Bery Engebretsen in Des Moines, IA. Our mission has remained unchanged since that time, to provide healthcare and supportive services to all, regardless of insurance, immigration status, or ability to pay.

Based on the needs of the communities we serve, PHC offers a spectrum of medical and dental services including family practice, behavioral health, HIV care and services, and pharmacy.

PHC’s Homeless Support Services is the entry point for serving people experiencing homelessness in Polk County. Enabling services are available to help patients with benefits enrollment, case management, transportation, translation, and patient education.

We currently have locations in Ames, Des Moines, & Marshalltown.

As an Integrated Behavioral Health Provider, you will address mental health and behavioral health needs of PHC patients through brief targeted therapy, assessment and behavioral interventions, and referrals when necessary.

The Integrated Behavioral Health Provider works in the primary care setting directly with the medical provider team to address the psychosocial aspects of patients’ health.

Seeking candidates with Iowa LISW, LMSW, or LMHC.

What's Great About this Position?

• Excellent opportunity to be an advocate for equity in healthcare and to help patients with barriers to care. You will work with diverse populations, serving patients who speak many different languages and come from many different cultures.
• Collaborating with the primary care medical provider and multidisciplinary team as part of an integrated model is an exciting approach to whole-person health.
• Enjoy work-life balance and variety. Typical work schedule is Monday - Friday 8 AM - 5 PM.
• Behavioral health providers are eligible for up to 5 days of paid time off to attend continuing education & up to $1500 continuing education reimbursement each year.
• We provide LMSW candidates individual supervision towards LISW licensure.

What You Will Do

Collaborates with PHC medical providers, ensuring the delivery of comprehensive clinical services to primary care patients, targeting interventions to improve patient functioning, behavior and clinical outcomes.

Responds to the referring Provider’s referral concern or question, providing timely, focused feedback in both written and verbal form.

Provides access to patients by engaging in flow of clinic / setting and seeking referrals and advocates for Primary Care Behavioral Health.

Identifies and evaluates health risk behavior(s), providing brief, targeted interventions to support optimum mental, behavioral, emotional and physical health, in accordance with the preferred care model at PHC sites.

Makes referrals for community mental health resources as appropriate. Collaborates with clinic staff to provide patients with referrals for appropriate specialty.

Maintains current and accurate documentation of services provided in accordance with standards set by PHC and grant requirements.

Provides maintenance of various management databases.

• Provides clinical consultation and educational programs on behavioral health related topics to staff, students, consumer, and other agencies as requested.
• Participates in clinic and performance improvement meetings as well as in-service training opportunities. Stays abreast of behavioral health clinical standards.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications You Need to Bring

Required :

• Master’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Marital and Family Therapy, Clinical Mental Health Counseling or related clinical field
• Experience and working knowledge of third-party payers and associated regulations.
• Basic computer skills with proficiency using Microsoft applications and ability to learn computer applications.
• Excellent collaboration and team-oriented skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Good listening skills.
• Strong problem-solving skills with analytical and critical thinking capability
• Strong customer service skills.
• Organization, prioritization and time management skills.
• Detail orientation with high degree of accuracy.
• Flexible and adaptive with ability to manage stress and maintain resilience.
• Strong professional skills with ability to interact with others calmly and empathically along with de-escalating difficult situations.
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to work with diverse populations.
• Licenses / Certifications : Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Licensed Social Worker (LISW, LMSW), Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) or Marital and Family Therapist (T-LMFT, LMFT) from the State of Iowa;
• current Mandatory Reporter Training : Child and Dependent Adult Abuse recognized by the State of Iowa *current Basic Life Support (BLS) for Health Care Providers Certification recognized by the American Heart Association.
• Must be obtained during introductory period if not current.

Preferred :

• Community health center experience.
• Previous clinical experience.
• Experience working with indigent populations.
• Experience working with clients who need assistance relating to domestic violence, mental health, chemical dependency, homelessness, or crisis intervention.
• Bilingual, verbal and written language proficiency; English / Spanish.
• Licenses / Certifications : CADC, IADC, tCADC

We Take Care of Our People

Your experience and skills determine your base pay. The hiring range for this position is typically $51,200 - $64,000, though highly experienced candidates may earn up to $76,800 per year.

PHC also offers a comprehensive benefits package, including :

Generous PTO accrual (equal to 5 weeks at end of 1st year) plus paid holidays

License / certification fee reimbursement

Paid time off for continuing education & continuing education reimbursement

Tuition reimbursement program

401k with company match

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life & disability insurance

Flexible spending & health savings accounts

Supplemental accident & critical illness insurance

Discounts on pet insurance

Visit for a summary of PHC’s benefits.

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