LOS ANGELES AIR FORCE BASE, CALIFORNIA
LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER - BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONSULTANT (IBHC)
LCSW Core Duties:
- Participate in Utilization Management/Case Management meetings to review and identify opportunities to improve treatment provided and recommend corrective action when problems exist.
- Participate in the provision of monthly in-service training for non-healthcare practitioner members of the clinical and administrative staff on subjects germane to social work and social work CM services.
- Provide patient referrals.
- Interface with the MTF RN Case Manager(s) in the development and implementation of the Case Management Program (CMP).
- Develop local strategies that use the strength and disciplines of both nursing and social work to accomplish case management.
- Provide assistance in the development and implementation of educational programs.
- Additionally, the social work case manager may be required to provide those services identified under Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
In addition to the minimum requirements listed above, the following are required for the Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Internal Behavioral Health Consultant (IBHC):
- The health care worker (HCW) shall serve as a member of the primary care clinic’s health care team and assist the primary care manager (PCM) in managing the overall health of their enrolled population. The program goal is to assist the Air Force Medical Home (AFMH) in meeting its core principles of “whole person orientation” and “coordinated/integrated patient care” by improving management of cognitive and behavioral factors impacting the health of the enrolled population. Scope and responsibilities include patient care (e.g., functional assessment, targeted and collaborative problem solving) and consultation with AFMH members to identify (and efficiently and effectively target) primary problems impacting the enrolled population. Services will be governed by US Air Force practice standards as delineated in the Behavioral Health Optimization Program (BHOP) practice manual.
TYPE OF WORK. Clinical social worker is required to function in a patient-centered medical home (PCMH) location as a full-time equivalent provider as an internal behavioral health consultant (IBHC) and/or Behavioral Health Care Facilitator (BHCF) as outlined in DoDI 6490.15 Integration of Behavioral Health Personnel Services Into Patience-Centered Medical Home Primary Care and Other Primacy Care Service Settings and the BHOP Practice Manual.
- The Clinical social worker cannot be used by the MTF’s Mental Health service to provide any non-IBHC or BHCF related functions; nor is the social worker allowed to provide any clinical services that warrant use of the BFDA MEPRS code.
- Internal Behavioral Health Consultant in the Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH).
The type of work may include, but not limited to, the following:
- Participates in and successfully completes two phases of Air Force IBHC training.Demonstrates core competency skills to IBHC independent practice within 90 days of starting. The 90-day threshold for demonstration of core competency skills will be
extended if the Air Force is unable to provide training opportunities within 90 days.
- Phase I training is approximately five days onsite at a CONUS location. The candidate must receive a “Pass” determination on the Phase I Training Core Competency Tool (CCT) before proceeding to Phase II.
- Phase II training will occur within 90 days of completion of Phase I training for a two day course. The candidate must receive a “Pass” determination on the Phase I Training Core Competency Tool (CCT) in order to be deemed acceptable for the position.
- If the clinical social worker fails to pass the IBHC training or fails to demonstrate IBHC core competency, the contractor shall be required to provide a new HCW. The contractor shall not present the same HCW for another attempt.
- Replacement/Turnover of an employee: If the candidate does not pass the course the contractor shall submit a replacement candidate upon notice of the candidate’s failure to pass any training phase.
- Provides brief (typically no more than four appointments) cognitive/behavioral interventions in primary care under the Air Force consultation model (i.e., per the Air Force Behavioral Health Optimization Program Practice Manual). Services will mimic the pace of primary care (i.e., patients seen for 15- to 30minute appointments).
- May provide classes in format appropriate for primary care (e.g., stress management class, sleep enhancement class, chronic pain class).
- May participate in group medical appointments, including Shared Medical Appointments (SMA) and Drop in Group Medical Appointments (DIGMA), as requested by the PCM.
- Works independently in the absence of direct oversight and adheres to Air Force values. Effectively uses appropriate communication format in addressing and resolving professional issues.
- Must be skillful and tactful in communicating with people who may be physically or mentally ill, uncooperative, fearful, emotionally distraught, and occasionally dangerous.
- Must possess organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills to articulate medical requirements to patients, families/care givers, medical and non-medical staff in a professional and courteous way.
- Successfully consults with PCMs on-demand about general issues and specific patients.
- Ensures PCMs receive same-day verbal and/or written feedback on patients referred.
- Delivers brief presentations/trainings to primary care team members regarding behavioral health issues and IBHC services.
- Participates in team efforts to develop, implement, evaluate, and revise clinical pathway programs needed in the clinic.
- Provide technical direction and clinical insight into relevant projects being conducted at the site of service.
- Provide concise documentation of care and recommendations in the patient’s electronic medical record within the allowable timeframe defined by the MTF standard after the patient is seen.
- Effectively manage a full daily patient load, as defined by the Mental Health Business Practice Standards and BHOP Manual of completing approximately 8-14 patient encounters per day
- Duties may include participating in Air Force-approved research projects relating to Primary Care Behavioral Health.
- Consults with medical personnel, legal authorities, and military commanders as required.
- Participates in military-specific training (e.g., use of the Air Force Guide for Suicide Risk Assessment, Management, and Treatment, pre-post deployment screening, PTSD, and combat stress, etc).
- Attends and participates in meetings during normal duty hours and professional staff conferences and other appropriate professional activities such as, but not limited to the following: quality improvement meetings, professional staff meetings, commander's staff meetings, primary care staff meetings, and others required by applicable regulations, MTF guidance, or as directed by supervisor.
NOTE: Supervision, as used in this PD, means clinically-related supervision only and does not include inherently governmental supervisory duties, including, but not limited to, personnel and employment related activities, i.e., timecards or leave approval.
