Lead Advocate - Licensed BH Care Manager (CA)

About the Company

Benchmark Health is a public benefit corporation committed to helping individuals navigate the complex behavioral health landscape by connecting them to the right care at the right time, whether it be therapy, psychiatry, peer support, and/or other resources. Our unique model leverages technology and human relationships to prioritize clinical quality and patient experience in order to make effective mental healthcare more accessible to all. By partnering with all stakeholders in the mental health space, we are building a scalable solution that aims to transform the mental health journey for millions.

About the Role

The Lead Advocate will assist with implementing and developing behavioral health programming to support primary care practices with the comprehensive needs of their patient population. The Lead Advocate will manage a panel of patients to provide support around short-term goal setting and behavioral interventions in conjunction with a consulting psychiatrist advising the patient’s PCP on medication adjustments. As operations expand this role will oversee the broader triage program and Behavioral Health Care Managers providing Collaborative Care interventions. The Lead Advocate will also triage patients to mental health services and resources external to the practice when clinically indicated. Working in tandem with a team of non-licensed Advocates who will assist in following up on treatment recommendations, the Lead Advocate will ensure that patients get connected to the services they need such as therapy, psychiatry, support groups, online communities and free educational resources.

Responsibilities

• Screen and assess patient for behavioral health symptoms and conditions

• Work with patients to set measurable personalized goals and provide brief behavioral interventions using evidence-based techniques such as behavioral activation, problem-solving treatment, motivational interviewing, or other treatments as appropriate to help patients work toward identified goals

• Participate in regularly scheduled caseload consultation with the psychiatric consultant and communicate resulting treatment recommendations to the patient’s medical provider

• Serve as ongoing liaison between providers to coordinate patient’s care

• Systematically track treatment response, any changes in clinical symptoms or treatment side effects that may arise

• Facilitate treatment plan changes for patients who are not improving as expected in consultation with the medical provider and the psychiatric consultant

• Collaborate with and provide clinical support to non-licensed Advocates and Behavioral Health Care Managers interacting with patients about resources

• Coordinate care with referral sources as clinically indicated

• Offer patients continuous follow up and redirection to new resources as needed

• Partner with team on process improvement efforts

Qualifications

• Master’s in Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, or Marriage and Family Therapy (last only if we want to include them)

• LICSW, LMHC, LADC-1, or LMFT in the state of practice required

• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience of direct clinical practice in behavioral health

• Previous experience providing measurement-based care preferred

• Previous experience managing clinical escalations and performing safety risk assessments

• Previous experience working with patients with serious mental illness and substance use disorder preferred

• Comfortability and experience working with children and adolescents preferred

• Previous experience with AIMS Collaborative Care Model strongly preferred

Required Skills

• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship building skills: ability to build trust and rapport with both patients and stakeholders easily

• Excellent organizational skills: ability to manage multiple patient cases and required documentation concurrently

• Adaptability and Flexibility: Willingness to adjust to changing priorities and demands. We are an early-stage startup that is growing very quickly.

• Ability to use and document in electronic health systems and utilize desktop applications for communication

Working Conditions

This is an in person role with the majority of time spent working within the primary care practices though a portion of patient interaction will be telephonic

Equal Opportunity Statement

Benchmark Health is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We embrace the richness of diversity and do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We recognize that traditional job requirements can sometimes inadvertently exclude talented individuals from underrepresented backgrounds or those who have taken non-traditional paths to acquire their skills. Therefore, even if you do not meet every listed requirement or have gained your qualifications in unconventional ways, we wholeheartedly encourage you to apply. We value passion, potential, and the drive to learn just as highly as formal qualifications, and we are committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone’s contributions are valued.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to serve within a mission-driven behavioral health care coordination organization.

• A competitive, salaried, and benefitted compensation package with performance incentives and equity participation.

• A collaborative and dynamic workplace with significant professional growth opportunities.

• A diverse and inclusive company culture that values every team member's contribution to our mission.

• Generous paid time off.