Mental Health Therapist

Summary

Essential functions of this position include serving as a therapist and case manager for patients in the Psychiatric Partial Hospitalization Program. The role also serves as a liaison for therapy services needed by hospital inpatients or emergency room patients awaiting placement on a Behavioral Health Unit. The therapist is responsible for planning and delivering therapy and educational services to patients, and, if indicated, to their families and significant others;

monitoring and managing patient behavior to maintain a therapeutic environment and patient safety; performing admission, discharge, and utilization review functions; and effectively marketing the program. Other functions may be assigned.

• Responsible for assessment, development, implementation, evaluation, and documentation of patient treatment programs (25%).
• Assess patients upon admission and collect data to determine current status (20%).
• Participate in improving patients' physical health and maintaining their safety in all settings (20%).
• Screen program applicants as needed and provide or recommend appropriate treatment and setting (15%).
• Maintain program patient medical records and record information legibly, accurately, using approved format, timely, and following procedures (10%).

• Participate in the admission process, including orientation of new patients.
• Provide group or individual therapy for patients when indicated in the partial program or in other areas of the hospital as needed.
• Document Bio Psycho Social Assessments, Continuing Care Plans, Admission Reviews, Problem Lists, Discharge Summaries, and Treatment Planning.
• Serve as group therapy facilitator for patients, family members, and significant others.
• Conduct group and individual educational sessions for patients, family members, and significant others.
• Provide individual/conjoint therapy to patients, family members, and significant others.
• Participate in patient progress review meetings.
• Respond appropriately to patient conditions utilizing critical thinking skills.
• Demonstrate effective and pleasant interpersonal relations.
• Demonstrate flexibility in a changing work environment.
• Verify patients’ insurance, obtain authorization to bill for treatment, and ensure program meets insurance company criteria for reimbursement.
• Participate in data collection to analyze the success of the Liaison program and other quality metrics.
• Adhere to all policies and procedures related to employment, safety, program provision, and operations.
• Be familiar with the Michigan Mental Health Code regarding recipient rights, confidentiality, abuse and neglect, and duty to warn.
• Demonstrate competency in infection prevention and control practices and policies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Master’s degree in psychology, social work, or professional counseling. Must hold a Master’s degree in one of these fields. Specialization in social work (SOCWRK) is required.

• BLS: Basic Life Support.
• PCSW: Licensed Master of Social Work, Licensed Master of Psychology, or Licensed Professional Counselor in Michigan. If holding a limited MSW or professional counseling license, must obtain full licensure in Michigan within three years of hire.
• TEAM ADVANCED: Techniques for Effective Aggression Management. Must complete within six months of hire; employees prior to 12/31/2023 have 24 months to complete.
• FINGERPRIN: Fingerprinting.

• At least one year of experience delivering mental health services within the past five years.
• Complete recipient rights instruction within 30 days of hire.
• Strong interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with individuals and groups, and with people at all levels.

• Exposure to stressful situations, trauma, grief, and death.
• Ability to wear personal protective equipment, including latex.
• Ability to move freely around the facility and perform job functions as outlined.
• Vision and hearing necessary, with or without assistance.
• Frequent sitting, standing, walking for long periods; requires postural changes such as stooping, kneeling, or crouching.
• Exposure to blood borne pathogens and other potential infectious materials; must follow blood borne pathogen and TB testing requirements.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks, work independently, maintain regular attendance, and stay alert.
• Dexterity required for handling, reaching, grasping, and repeated movements.
• Physical demand level: light. Occasionally lift or carry 11–20 lbs.; frequently 10 lbs.; walk, stand, push, pull as needed.