Behavioral Health Referrals Team Lead

Job description

Behavioral Health Referrals Team Lead

Dell Medical School is seeking a Behavioral Health Referrals Team Lead. This role supports mental health programs and initiatives developed through the Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium, with a focus on improving the quality and accessibility of mental health care for children and adolescents across Texas.

The Behavioral Health Referrals Team Lead will work as part of an interdisciplinary, team-based program that coordinates referrals for Texas Child Mental Health (TCMH) programs, including the Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine (TCHATT) program, the Perinatal Psychiatry Access Network (PeriPAN), the Child Psychiatry Access Network (CPAN), and similar programs. Reporting to the Supervisor, Behavioral Health Referrals and External Relations, this role serves as a working lead for the referrals team, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant referral processing while supporting staff through training, guidance, and workflow management. This position will have the ability to interact with peers, patients' families, and other program partners.

This is a state-funded position sponsored by the Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium (TCMHCC). TCMHCC was created by the 86th Texas Legislature to leverage the expertise and capacity of the health-related institutions of higher education to address urgent mental health challenges and improve the mental health care system in this state in relation to children, adolescents, and perinatal women. The University of Texas Dell Medical School is a Health Related Institution (HRI) for the TCMHCC.

The Behavioral Health Referrals Team Lead will work as part of the External Relations and Education Team that supports all Dell Medical School Texas Child Mental Health programs, including the Perinatal Psychiatry Access Network (PeriPAN) and Child Psychiatry Access Network (CPAN), Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine (TCHATT), Youth Aware of Mental Health (YAM), and other related mental health programs. CPAN and PeriPAN provide primary care clinic providers and OBGYNs prompt access to on-call psychiatrists to provide expertise in assessment, treatment, and referrals for pediatric and/or perinatal patients identified as having a mental health challenge. TCHATT provides telemedicine or telehealth programs to school districts to help identify and assess the behavioral health needs of children and adolescents and provide access to mental health services. YAM is a school-based program for students in eighth through 12th grades to learn about and explore the topic of mental health.

This position has an end date of 8/31/2027, but may be renewable based upon availability of funding, work performance, and progress toward goals. Funding is expected to continue. A flexible working arrangement agreement can be accommodated based upon the needs of the program and with supervisor approval. This position may require occasional work on-site for some of the scheduled work week. Remote work will require reliable internet access and a suitable private workspace free from distractions.

Essential Job Functions:

Team Leadership and Workflow Oversight

Acts as the primary point of contact for Referrals Associates regarding questions, workflow issues, and escalation needs.

Trains new hires and supports ongoing staff development to ensure consistent adherence to referral protocols and standards.

Delegates tasks and balances workloads across the team to meet productivity and quality expectations.

Referral Quality, Compliance, and Process Improvement

Reviews referral submissions for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with program and organizational requirements.

Identifies workflow bottlenecks and recommends process improvements.

Ensures timely resolution of escalated or complex referral issues.

Maintains accurate tracking and documentation of referral activity and outcomes.

Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement

Serves as a liaison between the referrals team and other internal teams, such as CPAN/PeriPAN, collaborating with supervisory leadership to ensure referral activities align with organizational goals and priorities.

Answers provider inquiries regarding the referral process and provides necessary information and support.

Follows up with providers, care coordinators, patients, and families to resolve issues or delays in the referral process and support successful outcomes.

Maintains accurate referral records and documentation; conducts community outreach and targeted provider research to expand and maintain referral resources, including providers serving traditionally marginalized populations and identified referral gaps.

Clinical Collaboration and Referral Management

Uses assembled information concerning a patient's clinical background to determine appropriate referral options.

Works on the referrals team using an interprofessional model that includes pediatric psychiatrists, psychologists, other licensed mental health professionals, and administrative staff.

Manages and tracks patient referrals, ensuring all records are provided promptly and accurately.

Uses the Electronic Medical Record to communicate referral information to team members, patients, families, and school staff, ensuring accuracy of all assigned records.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Customer Focus

Dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers.

Responds promptly and professionally to provider, patient, and family inquiries.

Anticipates referral issues and proactively resolves barriers to access.

Ensures referral processes support timely, coordinated care.

Understands, manages, and improves work processes.

Applies standardized referral workflows consistently across the team.

Identifies inefficiencies and recommends process or system improvements.

Ensures compliance with referral standards and documentation requirements.

Informing

Provides timely, accurate information to others through appropriate communication channels.

Communicates referral requirements clearly to providers and internal partners.

Documents referral information accurately and completely in the EMR.

Shares updates regarding process changes or issues with team members.

Interpersonal Savvy

Relates well to people at all levels and builds effective working relationships.

Establishes rapport with clinical, administrative, and community stakeholders.

Navigates sensitive conversations with patients and families professionally.

Collaborates effectively within an interdisciplinary team environment.

Peer Leadership

Gains support, cooperation, and commitment from others without formal authority.

Provides day to day guidance and coaching to referrals staff.

Encourages adherence to standards through influence and example.

Supports team performance and morale during periods of high workload.

Organizing

Plans, schedules, and organizes work in an efficient and productive manner.

Manages multiple referrals, follow ups, and priorities simultaneously.

Tracks referral status and deadlines accurately.

Maintains focus and accuracy in a fast paced, detail oriented environment.

Education & Experience

Minimum Qualifications:

Requires a Bachelor's Degree in Health Administration, Public Health, Social Work, Psychology, or a related field with at least 4 year(s) of experience in coordinating or administering a program, service operation, care coordination function, or referral based workflow.

Proficiency in electronic systems including, but not limited to, Google Suite, Trayt, Slack, Athena or Epic, Calendly

For classified jobs, include whether relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate: Yes

Preferred Qualifications:

2 or more years of professional experience in care coordination or case management.

Proficient PC skills with emphasis on Excel.

Health plan or provider order entry experience.

Knowledge of medical and mental health terminology and/or medical coding.

Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Salary Range

$49,000 + depending on qualifications

Licenses, Registrations or Certifications

Required:

None

Preferred:

None

Working Environment/Equipment

Standard office equipment

Repetitive use of a keyboard

May be exposed to such occupational hazards as communicable diseases, blood borne pathogens, ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, hazardous medications and disoriented or combative patients

Worksite address

austin, TX, 78716, US

Who can apply

Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.