Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker LICSW

Internal Behavioral Health Consultant IBHC for Hanscom Air Force Base

The Internal Behavioral Health Consultant IBHC addresses behavioral/physical health concerns of service members, family members, and retirees by increasing access to PRIMARY CARE behavioral health services; identifying mental health problems early; and reducing the stigma associated with seeking mental health treatment/support. 

Qualifications for Licensed Clinical Social Worker

• Degree/Education  Master’s in Social Work (MSW)/ Graduate from a School of Social Work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
• Licensure/Registration:  Current, full, active, and unrestricted license to practice as an Independent Licensed Clinical Social Worker in any state
• Experience: Must have one year of experience in the last three years in the evaluation and treatment of patients who have pain, psychological factors affecting their physical condition, or difficulty managing acute or chronic medical problems.
  • Prior training or experience as a behavioral health provider integrated into PCMH setting is preferred.
  • An optimal candidate would have a solid understanding of, and experience using, population health approaches to healthcare and proficiency in using motivational interviewing.

Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker Duties:

• 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 15–30-minute appointments).
  • Newly diagnosed chronic disease and compliance issues                                
  • Sleep disturbance, parenting stress, work issues
  • Lifestyle change and health risk factors (e.g. smoking and weight loss)
  • Chronic pain (e.g. headache, back pain, fibromyalgia)
  • Mental disorders (e.g. depression, anxiety, panic d/o)
• 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 possess organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills to articulate medical requirements to patients, families/caregivers, and medical and non-medical staff in a professional and courteous way.
• Successfully consults with PCMs on-demand about general issues and specific patients.
• Ensures PCM receives same-day verbal and/or written feedback on a patient referred.
• Delivers brief presentations/training to primary care team members regarding behavioral health issues and IBCH services.
• Participates in concise documentation of care and recommendations in the patient’s electronic medical record within the allowable timeframe define by the MTF standard after the patient is seen.
• Effectively manage a fully daily patient list as defined by the Mental Health Business Practice Standard and BHOP manual of completing approximately 8-14 patient encounters per day.
• Duties may include supervision of providers who are in training or not fully licensed
• Consult with medical personnel, legal authorities, and military commanders as required.
• Participate 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.).
• Attend 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, commanders staff meetings, primary care staff meetings, and others required by applicable regulations, MTF guidance, or as directed by supervisor.
• Contact referred patients to assess medication treatment adherence for depression, anxiety, and PTSD disorders.
• Use validated brief symptoms inventories to assess current symptoms' severity
• Assess barriers to treatment adherence and help patients problem-solve solutions to barriers.
• Provide patients with education regarding their behavioral health condition and treatment regimen

Training Requirements:

Participate in and complete two phases of Air Force IBHC training. 

Hours/Days Location:

Full-Time, M-F; 730am-430pm

66th Medical Squadron, 90 Vandenberg Dr, Hanscom AFB, MA 01731

MDPerm LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of credentialing, background screening, and any facility-specific requirements.