Behavioral Health Clinical Program Therapist

Job Summary

Functions as a member of the Behavioral Health Team in providing independent practice license scope levels of psychiatric care for the patients on the Behavioral Health Units. Provides and documents mental health services to Psychiatric patients. Develops and facilitates discharge planning in collaboration with patient and patient’s family, supportive other or guardian. Works to develop and deliver psychoeducational programming as well as lead or co-lead group psychotherapy as assigned. May provide care to child, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients as assigned. Care provided is based on defined standards of patient care and practice.

Essential Functions

• Coordinates, develops and delivers curriculum to meet the psychological needs of patients.
• Participate within a lead role in the multidisciplinary treatment team planning process, encouraging patient and family involvement.
• Perform clinical services aimed at stabilizing the psychiatric crisis and the development of healthy mental health management through a biopsychosocial model of treatment.
• Responsible for coordination of discharge plan through discharge planning meetings on assigned units and follows up with patients, family, physician and hospital staff from admission through discharge. Initiates patient and family education and discharge planning at admission. Arranges for discharge and post-hospital care of patients through institutions and agencies within the community.
• Coordinates the referral of patients and families to appropriate community, social service, home health service, extended care, and rehabilitation facilities, and organizations. Creates appropriate discharge plans and documents information in the medical record.
• Assists in identifying opportunities for improvement, participates in data collection and analysis, contributes to problem solving and identification of actions to be taken and effectiveness of those actions. Utilizes evidence-based tools to analyze and identify trends/patterns of performance through variance reporting to improve quality and satisfaction and decrease variation and cost.
• Prepares statistical reports on department services and patient needs; participates in the billing procedures for services rendered as required. Provides education and support to Clinical Staff by attending staff meetings, small groups, and one-on-one education related to resource utilization, discharge planning, and psychosocial aspects of healthcare delivery.
• Facilitates group psychotherapy and facilitates psychoeducational focus groups serving as a role model for patients to observe and learn socially effective values, attitudes and behaviors.
• Documents patient care and information in an accurate, legible, manner utilizing correct grammar and spelling; documentation is reflective of patient behavior, thoughts, feelings and responses to milieu and the treatment plan directed interventions.
• Interactions with others are nonjudgmental, assertive and respectful demonstrating a professional, caring attitude and behavior towards others; behaviorally demonstrates understanding of program philosophy, rules and regulations.
• Offer brief individual, group, and family therapy, psychoeducation, crisis intervention, as well as providing information and referrals as needed in collaboration with the case management department.
• Reviews charts in preparation of patient treatment planning and provides input on patient progress. Evaluates and updates treatment interventions in collaboration with charge nurse and/or Program Director.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span of the patient to include child, adolescent, adult, and geriatric stages.
• Serve on weekend assessments, group therapy rotation, and clinical-on-call rotation when needed.

Education

• Master’s Degree in Social Work
• Marriage and Family Therapy or Professional Counseling, or equivalent as required by state regulations.

Licenses/Certification

• Independent Practice Scope Licensure in State of Practice, if required by state regulations.

Experience

• Minimum 3 years in discipline