SPMI Outpatient Behavioral Health Therapist

Overview

The Primary Therapist provides quality and organized psychotherapy for identified clients and families, with special emphasis on treatment and discharge planning needs. The Primary Therapist maintains accurate and up-to-date knowledge of all relevant regulations and standards regarding the provision of services and of the implementation of treatment and discharge planning. They demonstrate professionalism in all aspects of performance.

• Interviews clients and families or significant others to obtain social history and data pertaining to treatment and discharge planning.
• Providing assessment using a Biopsychosocial Model and develops psychotherapy treatment plan(s) as part of multi-disciplinary plan of treatment.
• Consults with interdisciplinary team members and program staff on multi-disciplinary treatment plan.
• Plans and administers treatment in conjunction with Psychiatrist/Provider’s diagnosis and plan of treatment.
• Completes all admission paperwork within designated timeframe.
• Will provide individual therapy services using a variety of treatment modalities, which could include crisis planning, CBT, RET, behavioral modification, solution-focused therapy, and other brief psychiatric therapy models.
• Organizes and leads structured group sessions of counseling, as well as conducts individual and family therapy sessions as needed per patient treatment plan and Psychiatrist/Provider orders. Will follow every aspect of the patient’s care including recommendations and referral for inpatient care, as needed.
• Functions as the Discharge Planner by accurately completing all forms and documents related to discharge (respective of discipline), as necessary with input from all members of the staff.
• Acts as a patient advocate in all aspects of care, participating in various meetings and conferences representing the best interest of the patient when the patient is unavailable.
• Participate in research projects as needed related to advancement of mental health concerns.
• Provide education regarding mental illness services, treatments and disease to both patients and families.
• Works cooperatively with the Program Manager in ensuring that all relevant regulations and standards are met, including Medicare, state licensure requirements, accreditation rules and regulations.
• Will stay up to date on current research and treatment guidelines related to provision of care to the mentally ill.
• Collects and compiles data and completes reports as requested by the hospital, Psychiatrist/Provider, Program Director (or organization’s equivalent) and Ultra Group, and as required by the Hospital’s Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI) Plan.
• Represents the program in community outreach and education, working with community partners, such as NAMI, to decrease the stigma of mental illness in the community.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education Acceptable Degrees:
Masters in Social Work (MSW) with LCSW Certification (preferred), CSW under clinical supervision, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)(preferred), Licensed Professional Clinical Associate (LPCA) under clinical supervision.

Minimum

Work Experience:

Experience in the area of working with individuals with serious mental illness and with group and individual therapy is required either through employment or Educational Practicum Experiences preferred.

• Must be proficient in Windows, Word, and other basic computer skills.
• Must be detail oriented and thorough in order to ensure the complex.
• Must be able to communicate well with a wide variety of contacts at all levels of the organization and with external organizations.
• Must fulfill responsibilities in a reliable and dependable manner and use time effectively.
• Maintains strict confidentiality with regard to protected health information and provider information.
• Demonstrates respect for patient rights by maintaining dignity, safety, confidentiality, and right to refuse or consent to treatment.
• Must display a commitment to the Code of Ethics of their governing boards.
• Maintains a professional appearance and behavior and is a role model in regard to displaying a professional manner, as well as working relationship, within the hospital.
• Adheres to safety and infection control guidelines.
• Must maintain licensure to practice clinical services through their state governing board. If licensure is not present at employment, the employee would be required to obtain a temporary permit to practice, if possible. If currently a CSW, a LCSW licensure will need to be obtained within 6 months of completing LCSW clinical supervision requirements.
• The Outpatient Therapist is responsible for maintaining the required CEUs and ongoing education to maintain their license.