Licensed Therapist VA First Responder Program

Job Summary

The role of the VA First Responder Licensed Therapist is to establish a positive and trusting rapport with clients in our First Responder and VA programming at our John St. location. This includes providing assessments and one-on-one sessions, completing groups and documentation, monitoring the needs of clients, and providing continued support for alumni, as needed. Referrals may be necessary for clients that are experiencing medical issues, a crisis, or other mental or physical concerns.

Role and Responsibilities

• Provides support for carrying out overall program treatment and adherence to unit rules, local, state and accreditation regulations and standards.
• Orients clients to treatment through introductions, tours, etc.
• Provides individual and group counseling, supervision, didactic and process groups, family therapy sessions, and overall case management of residential clients for up to 25 billable hours per week.
• Processes and documents referrals, psychosocial assessments, individualized treatment plans, treatment plan reviews and updates, progress notes, utilization reviews, transition and discharge plans, and continuing care plans.
• Provides education to clients and families about behavioral health treatment and recovery options.
• Maintains all files and records to a level that meets quality assurance standards.
• Monitors the needs of clients, including the need for inter-agency referrals and follow-ups.
• Provides continued support for alumni, as needed.
• Assists in the support, orientation, supervision, and training of interns, contract and newly hired staff.
• Ensures maintenance of client rights, health, welfare, and safety by providing support to all team members and by maintaining continuity of quality care.
• Makes client referrals for ongoing care, including times where this is a need for medical and crisis care.
• Stays up to date on professional licenses and all necessary continuing education and supervision, as required.
• Presents professionally to the public when representing Sanford Behavioral Health.
• Completes timely client reviews for insurance purposes.
• Advocates for insurance coverage through timely and thorough communication with third-party billing companies.
• Participates in staff development and training, including staff meetings, in-service training and annual trainings required by Sanford Behavioral Health on a timely basis.
• Provides therapy, education, and supervision in groups, individual, and family settings for up to 25 billable hours per week.
• Ensures that all documentation of services is completed within 24 hours of services being rendered.
• Maintains strict confidentiality on all client records and business-related records, as required under HIPAA guidelines.
• Adheres to established Code of Ethics, Standards of Practice, Patient Centered Philosophy, and employee handbook.
• Participates in weekend rotations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Master’s degree in social work or other related degree, required.
• Has limited or full licensure in Social Work, Psychology, or Counseling in the state of Michigan, required.
• Experience treating First Responders and/or Veterans, required.
• SPADA, CADC, or CAADC certification or working toward the development of certification, required.
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) certification or willingness to obtain certification within six months, required.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) certification, preferred.
• Two (2) years of experience with extensive knowledge of mental health issues, substance use disorders, and best practices for psychological treatment, required.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Skilled in oral and written communication, self-motivation, leadership, and decision-making.
• Working knowledge of case management.
• Ability to work with a team milieu approach to the treatment clients.
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality on all client records and business-related records, as required under HIPAA guidelines.
• Must have analytical skills and creative problem-solving skills.
• Ability to interact with different levels within the organization as well as a broad…