Therapist

JOB SUMMARY:

The Therapist is trained and licensed to treat clients with emotional, behavioral, and mental disorders. They may work in conjunction with psychologists and psychiatrists and refer patients to these specialists as they see fit. Counseling sessions may be one-to-one, group therapy, or sessions involving family members. The Therapist will also work with patients who have higher acuity disorders, such as anxiety, PTSD, Bipolar Disorder, major depressive disorder, or borderline personality disorder. 

As part of the counseling process, the Therapist will conduct interviews, testing, and risk assessment sessions with patients to evaluate their mental condition and formulate a treatment plan. They will keep detailed notes and records on their patients and monitor their progress. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Licensed or license eligible by the BBS.
• Master’s degree.
• Must be able to work overtime, weekends, holidays, and flexible hours.
• Must have a TB test, CPR/First Aid certification, and health screening.
• Must have criminal background clearance.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in primary mental health and dual-diagnosis treatment.
• Experience working with the adolescent population in a residential or group home setting.
• CBT and evidence-based experience.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Counsel individuals or groups regarding psychological or emotional problems, such as stress, substance abuse, or family situations, using evaluative techniques and developing and implementing a therapeutic treatment plan in a medical setting: Interviews patients to obtain information concerning medical history or other pertinent information. 
• Observes the client to detect indications of abnormal physical or mental behavior. 
• Selects and administers various tests, such as psychological tests, personality inventories, and intelligence quotient tests, to identify behavioral or personality traits and intelligence levels, and record results. 
• Reviews results of tests to evaluate client needs. 
• Plans and administers therapeutic treatment, such as behavior modification and stress management therapy, using biofeedback equipment, to assist patients in controlling disorders and other problems. 
• Changes method and degree of therapy when indicated by client reactions. 
• Discusses progress toward goals with the client, such as controlling weight, stress, or anxiety.
• Consults with the medical doctor or other specialists concerning the treatment plan and amend the plan as directed. 
• Conducts relaxation exercises, peer counseling groups, and family counseling during clinical therapy sessions. 
• Refers client to supportive services to supplement treatment and counseling. 
• Attends weekly clinical program meetings and ongoing/continuous educational training on documentation of medical necessity. This will include mastery of ASAM criteria 

based on insurance-based medical necessity criteria for all levels of care in the continuum of care provided in the agency. 

• Has daily contact per workdays assigned as well as weekly interdisciplinary treatment team attendance to collaborate with all members of staff to provide continuity of care. 
• Responds to all social service needs, requests by physicians, legal issues, and family needs. 
• Required documentation in the chart according to policy timelines to include bio-psycho-socials, master treatment plans, individual, family, and group sessions, weekly status review transition/discharge plans, and other clinically indicated documentation. 
• Provides clinical updates to family and/or referral sources (as allowed via client consent). 
• Conducts regular sessions with clients, as assigned conducting individual, family, and group therapy. 
• Crisis Intervention 
• Observes, evaluates, and reports on behavior, attitudes general emotional stability of clients and their family members to help assist in treatment planning/discharge planning by assessing the social needs of individual clients including referrals to outside providers after the transition to outpatient therapy. 
• Records all interventions and interactions with the client, family, and community agencies through progress notes in the chart/electronic medical record with master treatment plan guiding services. 
• Responsible for maintaining valid appropriate professional certificates and credentials.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or listen. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers and handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.  

NOTE:

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at-will” relationship.