Behavioral Health Consultant

Who We Are

Neighborhood Health Center is a non‑profit organization local to Portland, OR serving underserved patients in the areas of primary care, internal medicine, dental services and more. Our patient‑centered approach to care honors the unique needs and circumstances of each individual patient. NHC sees people, not problems, and recognizes that the time spent as a patient in a doctor's office is only one factor in a person’s overall health.

Our leading edge, integrated clinical teams work in partnership with patients, their families, and the communities we serve to provide whole‑person care, prevention, and ongoing support.

NHC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate differences in the workplace and do not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (sex), national origin, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.

• We are a non‑profit organization, passionate about providing the underserved population with medical and dental services across the greater Portland area, committed to making a difference daily.
• We offer our employees a competitive compensation and benefits package which includes 20 days of PTO (based on full‑time employment), 9 paid holidays, health/dental/vision insurance, quarterly wellness reimbursements, generous 401k retirement plan with employer match, employer‑paid disability insurance, EAP and life insurance.
• Our employees voted NHC a Top Workplace in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Job Title: Behavioral Health Consultant

Department: Behavioral Health

Reports To: Director of Behavioral Health

Work Type: On‑Site

Classification: Full‑Time, Exempt

Language Differential: Eligible

The Behavioral Health Consultant (BHC) provides expert integrated care to adult and pediatric patients as a member of the primary care clinic. They specialize in targeted, brief, evidence‑based, solution‑focused assessments and interventions geared toward functional improvement. BHCs are generalists, providing high‑volume services from a population‑based lens that are accessible, team‑based, and a routine part of primary care. This behavior health model is interconnected with patients’ medical care and medical care team and requires specialized training and experience with a variety of medical, mental health, and substance use concerns.

The role supports the development of age ranging from children to geriatrics, obstetric populations and working with families and couples for targeted interventions and support in primary care. The BHC is often the first point of contact for individuals seeking mental health and substance use concerns. In addition, the BHC provides high‑level consultation to physicians and other medical team members and contributes to a clear treatment plan for patient care.

The BHC functions effectively in a fast‑paced, highly‑productive setting. The individual must be willing to engage in brief visits (15‑30 minutes) at a high volume, work closely with PCPs and other team members, and be adaptable, flexible, and able to independently function at a consistently high level. Fluency in Spanish is highly preferred.

• Apply a solid working knowledge of biopsychosocial models of human behavior and development for patient assessment, including the use of adult and pediatric screening instruments and the ability to screen for and identify substance abuse problems.
• Apply first‑line interventions in a time‑limited setting for a broad spectrum of physical and mental health problems experienced by patients and families throughout the lifespan, including mental health concerns, substance abuse concerns, adverse health behaviors, stress‑related physical symptoms, ineffective patterns of health care utilization, and adjustment to new and chronic medical conditions.
• Provide patient and family education effectively and sensitively to encourage compliance with medical and behavioral treatment plans, and discuss common psychotropic medications with patients, including indications, effects, side effects, and…