Behavioral Health Therapist at Southwest Community Health Center Inc – Bridgeport, Connecticut

SUMMARY: The Behavioral Health Therapist provides evaluation, education, intervention, treatment, and aftercare to individuals living with addiction or co-occurring issues (mental health issues and addiction).

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: All duties are subject to accommodation in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Perform an integrated behavioral health assessment for substance use and mental health issues utilizing DSM 5 diagnoses and codes.

• Work with supervisory staff on recommending appropriate level of care.
• Provide counseling to persons living with addiction or co-occurring disorders in individual and group therapy.
• Work with clients to develop an individualized treatment plan and treatment plan reviews in accordance with agency standards.
• Conduct educational groups on alcohol, drugs, co-occurring disorders, psychopharmacology, etc. as assigned.
• Provide crisis intervention, as necessary.
• Collect toxicology screenings
• Maintain client records and other clinical and agency documentation.
• Report information as required to referral sources in accordance with HIPAA regulations.
• Attend staff meetings, clinical meetings and clinical supervisory sessions as assigned; ensure that clinical supervisory staff is informed of critical issues pertaining to client care.
• Maintain communication with other staff members and interact effectively as part of treatment team, work collaboratively with medical personnel and psychiatric staff regarding client treatment.
• Make referrals as appropriate within and outside of the agency in accordance with HIPAA regulations.
• Participate in obtaining insurance authorizations as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

The physical requirements and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This position requires manual dexterity sufficient to operate phones, computers, and other office equipment. The position requires the physical ability to kneel, bend and perform light lifting. This person must have the ability to write and speak clearly using the English language to convey information and be able to hear at normal speaking levels both in person and over the telephone. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. Generally, the working conditions are good with little or no exposure to extremes in health, safety hazards and/or hazardous materials. This person must have the ability to travel as required to work with staff.

Qualifications:

• Ability to relate to people of diverse backgrounds.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills
• Ability to document in an EHR.
• Experience facilitating groups.
• Experience in co-occurring treatment
• CPR/BLS Certified

Education and/or Experience:

• Master’s Degree in social work, counseling or related field required.
• Experience working with co-occurring populations.
• Connecticut State License (LPC, LMFT, LCSW, LADC) or provisionally licensed (LPC-A, LMSW, (L) MFT-A)
• Three (3) years’ experience in Human Services.
• Cultural and ethnic sensitivity essential
• Experience in working with diverse populations.