Qualified Mental Health Professional

Job Summary

Serves as a QMPH for individuals with mental health and substance abuse disorders who require assistance to gain access to necessary care: medical, behavioral, social, and other services appropriate to their needs. Services include case management assessment, person-centered planning, referral and linkage, monitoring, and follow-up.

Job Description 

Direct Service Job Duties

• Provide the following QMPH/case management functions according to CIHA policy and procedures: case management assessment; person-centered planning; referral and linkage; and monitoring and follow-up.
• Provide case management services as assigned.
• Cultural considerations will be made for populations served.
• When assigned to provide services for Adults, or for Children and Families, the employee will fulfill duties as outlined in CIHA policy and procedure related to the specific population served.
• Gather and document necessary information, including medical, physical and functional, psychosocial, behavioral, financial, social, cultural, environmental, legal, and vocational or educational areas. 
• Develop a person-centered plan which incorporates important to and for, and which is geared to achieve clinical outcomes.
• Link clients to needed services and supports.
• Provide and document regular client contacts according to CIHA policy and procedure. 
• Provide timely information to treatment team members regarding client status, progress, and safety.
• Utilize judgment in carrying out CIHA policy for risk assessment and crisis intervention.
• Collaborate with the medical staff and other health professionals/agencies to facilitate patient care, discharge, and follow-up.
• Provide consultation to patients and family in matters directly related to patients' limitations, finances, adjustments to medical conditions, and ongoing treatment.
• Develop and implement discharge plans, follow-up care, and transfers to other behavioral health facilities as appropriate.
• Implement and follow the provisions contained in all applicable privacy/confidentiality policies, procedures, and practices for maintenance and release of patient records and clinical information, including EBCI, CIHA, IHS, DHHS, HIPAA, JCAHO, CFR 42, or other licensing bodies.
• Responsible for attending clinical staffing as an integral component of a treatment team, facilitating the discussion of client data, and formulating changes to the treatment plan.
• Participate in meetings to review and identify opportunities to improve the program and treatment provided, and recommend corrective action when problems are identified. This includes assisting with changes in policy and procedure, which would improve service delivery.
• Timely record all treatment and clinically significant events for the medical record in the manner prescribed by CIHA policies and procedures.
• Provide written, telephone, and face-to-face consultation services to various persons and organizations that affect the patient. These include schools, courts, probation officers, physicians, hospitals, medical care providers, law enforcement officers, social services, and community agencies. 
• Represents CIHA at regular team meetings for progress review and during emergency meetings dealing with high-risk situations.
• Participate in community planning and implementation of programs to help resolve such complex issues as improving coordination of services or developing programs to serve the community.
• Collect and report on data necessary for client care according to procedure and as directed by the supervisor.
• Expected to obtain continuing education both through in-service training and through access and tuition payment for approved training seminars and workshops.
• Effectively utilize an electronic medical record and other software required for operation in the CIHA system
• Other duties as assigned. 

Education/Experience/Minimum Qualifications

“Qualified Professional" means, within the MH/DD/SAS system of care:

• An individual who holds a license, provisional license, certificate, registration or permit issued by the governing board regulating a human service profession, except a Registered Nurse who is licensed to practice in the state of North Carolina and four years of full-time accumulated experience in behavioral health/developmental disabilities/substance abuse; or
• Bachelor’s degree in any field and four years of full-time, post-bachelor’s degree accumulated:
  • Behavioral health/developmental disabilities/substance abuse.
  • Substance abuse counseling and hold substance abuse licensure/certification (CSAC, LCAS); or
• Bachelor’s degree in any human service field (i.e., Social Work, Psychology) and two years of full-time, post-bachelor’s degree accumulated:
  • Behavioral health/developmental disabilities/substance abuse.
  • Substance abuse counseling and hold substance abuse licensure/certification; or
• Master’s degree in a human service field (i.e., Social Work, Psychology) and one year of full-time, post-graduate degree accumulated experience (one of two criteria):
  • Behavioral health/developmental disabilities/substance abuse.
  • Substance abuse counseling and hold substance abuse licensure/certification.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.
• Specific experience working with Native Americans preferred. 

 Job Knowledge

• Knowledge of the population served.
• Knowledge of Cherokee culture preferred.
• Skill in establishing rapport with a patient and in applying techniques of assessing psychological, behavioral, and psychosocial aspects of a patient's problems.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of the caseload and their families, other professional disciplines, and a variety of governmental and private resources and organizations in the community.
• Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely and to plan and. execute work effectively. 

Complexity of Duties

This position is responsible for assisting in maximizing the available resources to develop and maintain behavioral health services for EBCI children and families that best meet the constantly changing needs of the community. Must have the ability to interpret policy, laws, and regulations in order to make decisions when a precedent is not available. Duties require the application of judgment and problem-solving skills in order to be effective. Judgment often involves decisions that may have life-or-death consequences. At times may be dealing with individuals who are highly agitated, emotional, or out of touch with reality.

Supervision Received

Works under the direct guidance of the Analenisgi Inpatient Clinical Manager. 

Responsibility for Accuracy

Errors should be identified and corrected in a timely manner. Failure to properly document, convey, or interpret clinical data can adversely impact client care. Ineffective health planning could have adverse effects on the health status of the community by limiting access to necessary resources. The accuracy of data and research is critical in the allocation of tribal resources. The employee is responsible for adherence to policy and procedure. Inappropriate actions or inaccuracies in judgment could result in improper diagnosis and treatment, serious liability for CIHA, or more serious health risks to patients.

Contact with Others

Interacts frequently with coworkers, hospital staff, patients, and other health professionals for the purpose of exchanging information, obtaining, or providing assistance. Employees may serve on committees, boards, and advisory councils, as appropriate. Tact, courtesy, and professional conduct are required to maintain positive working relationships. Utmost sensitivity and confidentiality are required when dealing with patients and families.

Confidential Data

All Behavioral Health data is considered highly confidential and strict adherence to all applicable policies is required.

Emergency Privileges

In the case of an emergency, any member of the Medical Staff, to the degree permitted by his/her license shall be permitted to do everything possible to save a patient’s life or save a patient from serious harm, regardless of the individual’s clinical privileges. This shall be defined as those situations in which a delay could result in serious harm or death and in which a more qualified member is not immediately available.

Customer Service

Consistently demonstrates superior customer service skills to patients/customers by demonstrating characteristics that align with CIHA’s guiding principles and core values. Ensure excellent customer service is provided to all patients/customers by seeking out opportunities to be of service