Clinician Corner: Dennis Dodd, PMHNP, Shares What He Loves About Working Remotely

Iris clinicians are at the heart of what makes our organization such a special place to work. That’s why we’re turning the spotlight on the amazing work they’re doing every day. This month, we’re sitting down to talk with Dennis Dodd, a PMHNP practicing in California.

Q. How did you find Iris and decide you wanted to be an Iris provider?

A. I saw ads on Indeed when I was doing job searches, and I kept seeing Iris. I applied to another online company first, and they responded to me initially, and unfortunately, that didn’t work out. I didn’t like the way they did things, but Iris was so professional and on the ball that I was exceedingly impressed right from the very beginning.

Q. How does teletherapy compare to in-person work?

A. There are some significant advantages, and there are some minor disadvantages. The disadvantage is that some senses are missing when meeting people. For instance, I attended a continuing medical education seminar yesterday morning about smoking. And unless I ask somebody if they smoke, I can’t tell. But a lot of times when I met someone in person, they walked in the room, and you would know if they smoked. There are just some senses that are missing, and you can’t always see their whole body. I remember one time, a patient with OCD came in, and their hands were beet red because they were washing their hands so much. You can’t always see that online, but you learn how to adapt.

One of the major advantages is that I can reach people that are literally on the other side of the country. I’m seeing patients in California, and that’s amazing if you stop and think about it. It’s also safer for me.

Q. How do you foster connection with patients virtually?

A. It’s really the same way I did it in person, in many respects. I show an interest in their lives. I ask them a lot of questions that are pertinent to their lives and what’s been going on for them. I laugh with them. I empathize with them. And it’s easy to connect emotionally with people, even if you’re doing it virtually.

Q. As a healthcare professional, how do you manage work-life balance?

A. It’s tremendously easier managing work-life balance from home because my commute is really short, and it’s incredible how much time and money goes into working at a distant site from your home.

When I used to commute from where I lived in downtown Chattanooga, it took me 25-40 minutes sometimes each way in traffic, which I hate. I hate sitting in traffic. I also don’t have to do nearly as much laundry. It sounds crazy, but when you work virtually, you’re not wearing as many clothes, and you’re not getting them dirty. I save on gas. When I’m done with work, I’m home. It’s very nice.

Q. How does living in eastern time and working in pacific time help create a schedule that fosters work-life balance?

A. It works out well for my wife and me because my wife works 12-hour days. She’s also a nurse practitioner. She works with families, but she works in an urgent care center. She works from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and I finish at 8:00 p.m. when she gets home. When she leaves, I haven’t started work yet. I don’t ever have to use an alarm clock. I wake up when I wake up, which I love. The hours may not always be ideal. Sometimes I wish I could do things I can’t do in the evening. But I do have time in the mornings to do some things.

For example, I’ve had a doctor’s appointment at eight in the morning, and I’m home with plenty of time to start work. I only work four days a week and have Friday, Saturday, and Sunday off. That has probably been the best thing for me in terms of work-life balance of any of the other choices that I made in this new job. Everybody was supportive of that, the clinic and Iris. So I appreciate that.

Q. What is the most rewarding part of your job?

A. For me, it’s always been the connection with the people. To have them return after I start them on medicine and say, “Things are so much better. Thank you so much for what you’ve done for me.” There’s no substitute for having somebody lift out of deep depression or intense anxiety and know that it was something that you had a hand in, and now they feel a whole lot better, and their quality of life is better. That’s a really marvelous feeling.

Q. What do you love about working with Iris?

A. Everything combined has made Iris a wonderful workplace. I’m working from home, I don’t have a commute, and it’s a great work-life balance. I’m able to be a competent professional in a nice setting in California and have all the wonderful support Iris provides. If I had to design a perfect job in this role, I don’t know that I could do any better than Iris has done.

Q. How does the support COMs provide help you in your role?

A. I’m going on vacation in a few weeks, and my Clinical Operations Manager (COM) is arranging for someone to cover my calls. Every day I get at least four or five patient calls and requests for medicine refills, and somebody’s got to cover that. I’m going to be gone for almost ten days. It’s not fair for patients to have to wait that long. The COMs have gone out of their way to help me with anything that comes up.

Melissa and Beth are on it whenever I call or email them and say, “Hey, I’ve got this little problem.” I had a few minor issues with some of the things at the clinic, and I just talked to them about it. They got on the phone with the director and worked out some logistics and solutions, and it was just wonderful. They’re on the ball.

Q. Why do you think teletherapy is important to the future of mental healthcare?

A. The most significant advantage and importance is the fact that it reaches people that otherwise might not get care. I think in a nutshell, that’s the whole ball of wax. I’m seeing people in California while living in Tennessee. The company that I’m working with out there was having an extraordinarily difficult time finding qualified providers. I don’t know why, but that’s the facts. I’m seeing people in their clinic that have great needs.

Q. What advice would you give to someone new to teletherapy?

A. Before I joined Iris, I went and sat with a friend working with another online company and watched what she did. We, of course, got permission both from the patient and from her company. I signed a release and everything, but I sat with somebody to see what it was like and to watch her perform online counseling. I knew right away that I would like it. I would definitely encourage people to go and observe or sit in with somebody for a little while for a few hours to see what it’s like and to make sure that’s what you’d want. Because once you get started, it’s hard to start all over again.

At Iris, we believe our providers should be respected, valued, and applauded for the work they do, and we couldn’t be more proud to say, “thank you” to our very own Dennis Dodd. If you’d like to learn more about working for Iris Telehealth, contact us today.

How to Transition from Private Practice to a Telehealth Group

Making the move from private practice to working for a telehealth group comes with a lot of benefits and considerations. In this blog, we’ll outline the pros and cons of making this switch and offer recommendations for making this transition seamless.

Are you looking for something specific? Use this table of contents to jump where you need to go:

Table of contents
Why you might consider a transition to telehealth
The benefits of working for a telehealth group
How to make your transition to telehealth seamless
What life at Iris looks like

Why you might consider a transition to telehealth

Owning and operating your own practice comes with many benefits and challenges. On the one hand, you can choose your clientele and the type of care you want to provide and create a schedule that aligns with the type of practice you wish to have. On the other hand, being in charge of everything can be demanding.

For instance, running your practice requires you to book and bill your clients, manage your paneling, licensing, and credentialing, and pay for an electronic health record. It may also feel like you always have to be available to patients. When working in a hospital, community mental health center, or federally qualified health center, patients have a line to call for emergencies – but in private practice, you are that line.

While there are several challenges to private practice, let’s take a close look at some of the benefits telehealth offers.

The benefits of working for a telehealth group

While private practice requires a significant amount of time and attention, working for a supportive telehealth group can take a huge weight off your shoulders.

Here are a few of the biggest benefits of working for a telehealth group:

Less overhead: Telehealth groups like Iris Telehealth pay providers based on hours scheduled, not volume seen. In a private practice setting, you might schedule seven clients in a day, but if only three show up, you’re only paid for that three. Additionally, in certain organizations like Iris, we provide all the necessary equipment and you don’t have to worry about billing.

Multiple layers of support: With a telehealth group on your side, you have someone to walk your entire journey. At Iris, you are supported by a full cycle recruiting team who walk alongside you from your first phone call through your placement at a hand-selected partner group.

Help with licensing and credentialing: If you’ve worked in mental health before, you understand how laborious it is to keep up with licensing, credentialing, and paneling. That’s why working with a telehealth group that takes care of these processes for you is invaluable. For example, once you are matched with an Iris partner group you are provided the support of a medical staff services team who takes care of these logistics and helps maintain these things for you.

Unique perks of telehealth: With telehealth, you’re not at risk of running into patients when you’re out and about in your community. In many cases, you will be a couple of states away from where your clients live. Additionally, telehealth also takes away the stressful commute, the need to do your own marketing, and provides a comfortable work from home environment. With telehealth, you can expand your experience and maintain your work-life balance in a way you may not have been able to in a private practice setting.

How to make your switch from private practice seamless

If you think telehealth might be the best fit for you and your needs, here are a few ways you can begin your transition from private practice.

  1. Create a transition plan: Consider how you will transition your clients and where they can go for treatment after your time together ends. It’s essential to be mindful of your time and ensure you’re not overworking yourself with additional private practice work once you transition to telehealth.
  2. Think through lifestyle changes: Transitioning from working for yourself to working for someone else can take some getting used to, so it’s important to consider what that change will be like. There might also be new assessments, documentation, and specific therapeutic engagement and approaches that you might have to become familiar with as you transition to telehealth.
  3. Consider your working space: Working for a telehealth group means you’ll be working from your home. With that change comes a few different considerations. First, you should ensure your space is HIPPA compliant and has good lighting, acoustics, and a strong internet connection. It’s also important to check that your internet has adequate upload and download speeds.
  4. Determine how you’ll manage work-life balance: Another consideration for working remotely is how you’ll manage work-life balance when your office becomes a part of your home. It’s important to think through how you’ll separate the two and the structures you can put in place to help transition from work to life with more ease.

What life at Iris looks like

At Iris Telehealth, we believe our providers should be applauded for the incredible work they do each day. By partnering with us, you can feel good about working with a group that since 2019, has been accredited by the Joint Commission for behavioral health.

We can’t wait to see how we can work together to create a better world through healthy minds. Contact us today to learn more about open roles at Iris!

Becoming a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic

As more states become eligible for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) certification and funding, healthcare organizations are considering becoming CCBHCs. The opportunities for CCBHCs continue to expand, and it’s in your organization’s best interest to consider obtaining CCBHC certification. The certification process can be labor-intensive but it offers many benefits to organization and patients.

In this piece, we’ll discuss the requirements, challenges, and how to become a certified community behavioral health clinic.

What is a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC)?

The CCBHC program began in 2014 to identify healthcare organizations with exceptional, comprehensive care and provide them with additional funding to increase access to services. It’s grown since then, and Congress has appropriated annual funds for CCBHC expansion grants since 2018. These grants allow CCBHCs to expand access to care. However, existing funds are not intended for long-term sustainability, and states are working to expand the state CCBHC model within state Medicaid programs to account for long-term growth. Bipartisan federal legislation was introduced in 2020 to extend CCBHC programs to new states and expand the reach of currently existing CCBHCs.

The fact that both state and federal governments are prioritizing CCBHCs is a testament to their success and essential work in the community. And, CCBHCs distinguish themselves from more traditional care models in a number of ways, including:

  • Their emphasis on increasing access to care
  • Their “open-door policy” requires them to serve anyone needing care. They partner with local primary care facilities and hospitals. They integrate with physical health care to serve patients’ mental and physical health needs
  • Their tailored care for active-duty military and veterans and commitment to involving peers and family in care processes
  • To learn more about CCBHCs and what they provide, check out this resource from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.

CCBHCs serve everyone without limitations on geographic location or ability to pay because of the additional funding they receive.

How do logistics differ from other mental health providers?

You’ll notice shorter wait times for CCBHC mental health services than you would working with other mental health providers. CCBHCs aim for a five-day wait time for new intakes, and most also have walk-in clinics. Some CCBHCs even provide same-day access.

CCBHCs are also required to provide 24/7/365 access to crisis care, including mobile crisis teams and crisis hotlines.

On top of shorter wait times, a few other CCBHC requirements include:

  • Evidence-based practices: As a CCBHC, you must maintain an additional level of quality by using evidence-based practices for every process.
  • MAT: You’ll need a care coordinator who offers medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for substance use disorders.
  • Payment: You’ll have to establish a sustainable payment program that allows the practice to exist even without grants or additional government funding.

Who is eligible for CCBHC certification?

All nonprofit health centers are eligible to become CCBHCs. Many organizations fall into the nonprofit category, including:

  • Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs)
  • Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)
  • State mental health clinics
  • Tribal health organizations
  • Other nonprofit health centers

While for-profit clinics cannot individually be certified as CCBHCs, they can be certified collaborating partners of a CCBHC system.

The pros and cons of CCBHC certification

Of course, there are pros and cons to CCBHC certification. Benefits of certification include the fact that your organization is held to a higher standard. These stands mean you provider better care for patients and eligibility for more funding even beyond the CCBHC grants. Cons include the lengthy and involved process and the fact that you’ll need a dedicated implementation team to become certified.

If you decide the pros outweigh the cons, your next step will be a three-part process to prepare your organization for certification.

You’ll first set expectations for your team, then review your policies and procedures while simultaneously evaluating your MAT protocol. We’ll review each of these steps below.

  1. Set expectations: As you’re considering the process, set expectations within your organization. It can take up to a year to get off the ground as a CCBHC and will be an involved process. Large organizations may be able to move through the process more easily, as they may already be providing many of the services required for CCBHC certification. Smaller organizations may take a couple of years to increase staffing to a point that will make them viable CCBHC candidates.
  2. Review policies and procedures: CCBHCs must accept all patients and use evidence-based practices. You’ll need to review all of your policies and procedures to ensure every action you currently take is deliberate and documented. If your clinic uses the “we’ve always done it this way” mentality, your policies will not hold up under scrutiny by accreditors. Reviewing policies is a major task, as it means policies ranging from how you prescribe medications to cleaning processes for the laundry room must be documented. Today, Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) make it easier to track the number of patients served, services they receive, follow-up times for crisis calls, and more. While many health centers are already capturing this data for internal purposes, it’s important to ensure data is captured consistently and reported to external auditors.
  3. MAT protocol: Clinics who aren’t already offering medication-assisted treatment (MAT) may find the MAT requirement a barrier as they consider certification. Consider what your center currently offers, and remember your clinic does not have to be a full free-standing methadone or suboxone clinic but does need to provide evidence-based MAT.

Fortunately, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel! Many other clinics have gone through the process, and templates for policies and procedures reduce some of the work. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and use the resources available. There are databases across the country for clinics to share resources.

What other challenges could I encounter?

The process for gaining CCBHC certification is constantly in motion. Staff turnover is one of the biggest challenges you could face during implementation. If your staff turns over during the quality management phase, you may lose progress and crucial internal knowledge.

To account for this potential challenge, make sure you have a reliable point person, usually the clinic’s director of quality management, to lead the project and be the final point of contact. Once certified, your quality management team will also have to prepare for audits and answer auditors’ questions on demand.

Be proactive, not reactive

We hope this discussion has given you some insight into the world of CCBHCs. Just as hospitals were striving for Joint Commission accreditation years ago, we believe nonprofit health centers will soon need to move toward CCBHC certification to ensure they’re providing the best quality care. Leaders in the field can influence the future of community mental health care by being CCBHC certified early instead of being forced to become certified in the future.

More resources

Also, remember that sister centers within your state and other healthcare provider have gone through the process can be valuable resources.

As always, Iris Telehealth is here to guide you. Contact us for more information about CCBHC certification and benefits.

How to Increase Mental Health Care in Native American Communities

Approximately 1.3% of the United States population identifies as Native American or Alaskan Native. In 2020, it was reported that over 19% of this population experienced a mental health condition.

Although many individuals in these populations require treatment, the majority of Native Americans reside in rural areas where access to mental health services is severely limited. Thankfully, telehealth can help bridge the gap and connect this community to culturally competent behavioral health services that meet them where they are.

Want to know how your organization can help increase access to care for this population? Take a closer look below:

Table of Contents
Barriers to mental health care for the Native American community
Best practices for mental health organizations
The benefits of telehealth for the Native American community
How Iris Telehealth can help

Barriers to behavioral health care for the Native American community

Access to healthcare can come with various challenges, including a lack of culturally competent care, a shortage of specialty providers, and cultural and systemic barriers that can influence behavioral health outcomes.

Let’s examine some of the most significant obstacles this community faces when seeking care.

  • Lack of culturally competent care: One of the most considerable barriers for the Native American population is the lack of culturally competent care available where they live. Many behavioral health providers may not understand the unique cultural experiences of Native American individuals and families, which may lead to inadequate treatment or misunderstandings. However, working with a telehealth group that facilitates provider matching services can help organizations find a clinician who is passionate about serving this community and trained in providing culturally competent care.
  • Historical trauma: Native Americans have a history of trauma due to colonialism, forced relocation, and genocide. The trauma inflicted on Native American populations can impact their mental health today, leading to substance use, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and even suicidal ideation. For providers, it’s important to acknowledge where they are in their own learning and awareness of indigenous culture and experience. Working with providers who maintain curiosity and openness about a person’s cultural history can help reinforce identity and resilience among patients.
  • Speciality care: For the Native American population facing disproportionately high rates of substance use disorder, increased suicide, and depression getting the right specialty care is essential. Without specialty care, patients may rely on primary care physicians or general practitioners for mental health care. While these providers do their best to address mental health needs, a provider with specialized training and experience is best suited for patients with complex needs. With increased access to specialty care, Native American patients can receive accurate assessments, comprehensive treatment, and complex medication regimens if needed.
  • Mental health deserts: For Native Americans living in healthcare deserts, getting to an in-person appointment may not be possible. According to a study by GoodRx Health, more than 113,000 American Indians and Alaska Natives live in 492 counties that lack mental health providers. The research also found that over 90% of these areas are rural and have limited healthcare resources. These mental health deserts can exacerbate access issues and put care further out of reach.

How organizations can address mental health in the Native American community

While Native American populations may face considerable challenges in receiving mental health care, organizations can play a fundamental role in addressing these barriers.

Here are four strategies that healthcare organizations can use to improve access and outcomes for Native American populations:

  1. Leverage social media: Social media can be a powerful tool mental health organizations can use to connect with the Native American community. Social media has the power to reach a wider audience, provide resources, and bring awareness to mental health issues. For example, organizations can leverage social media to promote local events like community health fairs, food drives, or other happenings that create a safe space for Native Americans to help address their needs.
  2. Establish partnerships in the community: Mental health organizations can establish partnerships with other organizations in the Native American community to help improve access to mental health care. This strategy can include partnerships with tribal health clinics, community health centers, or other organizations that serve this population. By working together, mental health organizations and community partners can help build trust, increase awareness, and provide more comprehensive behavioral health care services.
  3. Work with culturally competent behavioral health providers: Understanding the history of healthcare within a community is vital. Is there a language for mental health? Are mental health diagnoses a sign of weakness in a specific culture or community? By identifying and understanding the difference in history and culture, your organizations can meet people where they are and provide more effective care to different communities.
  4. Implement telehealth: Healthcare organizations can offer alternative care delivery methods to the Native American population, like telehealth. Remote solutions can help overcome some of the barriers to access by providing Native American patients with greater access to behavioral health care services.

How telehealth can help address mental health in the Native American community

Here are a few ways telehealth can increase access and improve the quality of care for the Native American community:

  • Culturally competent providers: Telehealth enables the Native American community to connect with culturally competent mental health providers while also granting the organization access to a broader range of specialists who may not be geographically accessible otherwise. At Iris, our provider matching process allows organizations to find the best telemental health provider for the populations they serve. When facilitating provider matching services, we look for a provider who aligns with your organization’s prescribing philosophy and help ensure they are passionate about serving your community and knowledgeable about your population.
  • Flexibility: In addition to increasing access to mental health providers and having a provider who can meet the needs of your community, telehealth can offer flexibility in scheduling and transportation for Native American populations. For those who reside in remote areas of the country, a remote behavioral health care option can reduce transportation barriers.
  • Confidentiality: Many Native American communities are tight-knit, with many members of the family being interconnected. Therefore, Native American populations may also face stigma from family and community members when seeking mental health care treatment. Telehealth can offer a more comfortable and confidential setting for those seeking mental health services, especially when discussing mental health concerns with a provider outside their community.

How Iris Telehealth can help

Iris Telehealth can assist your health system by connecting your community with providers who understand your population and can provide the specialty care they need.

If you’d like to learn more about how Iris can help implement a telepsychiatry solution to provide more accessible care options for Native American individuals and families, contact us today.