I. Job Summary:

The Behavioral Health Therapist provides strengths-based and solution-focused therapeutic services to clients at Broward Partnership (BP) with the end goal of supporting clients and ultimately fostering stable housing situations. The Behavioral Health Therapist will assess and treat clients by completing a biopsychosocial assessment, collaboratively developing a treatment plan, conducting treatment plan reviews, providing individual, family, and group therapy, developing accurate and timeline clinical documentation and progress notes, data collection, and participating in Agency and community activities.

II. Essential Duties and Primary Responsibilities:

1. Interviews clients and completes a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment to evaluate substance abuse, mental health, and co-occurring disorders according to DCF standards (65D30.004 items “a through m”) within 72 hours of the client’s placement into crisis shelter.

2. Develops an individualized, collaborative treatment plan in partnership with the client within 7 business days of referral, including goals, measurable objectives to be achieved by the client, the tasks involved in achieving those objectives, the type and frequency of services, and the expected dates of completion.

3. Completes and utilizes the Level of Care Utilization System (LOCUS) criteria assessment to aid in the identification of the appropriate level of care for the clients.

4. Encourages clients to express their feelings and discuss what is happening in their lives and help them to develop insight into themselves and their relationships. Guides clients in the development of skills and strategies for dealing with their problems.

5. Completes an individualized treatment plan review within 30 calendar days of the initial treatment plan in partnership with client.

6. Schedules and conducts individual, family, and group counseling sessions, psycho- educational intervention groups, orientations, and other clinical interventions as needed.

7. Counsels clients in crisis, assessing for a safety plan, while de-escalating the crisis.

8. Provides advanced services for the Behavioral Health department including assisting the other therapists, maintaining smooth functioning of the department, providing case consultation as needed to all departments, sharing specialized knowledge regarding clinical interventions, and modeling professional conduct.

9. Spends at least 65% of time face-to-face providing direct contact services.

10. Recognizes the signs of abuse and neglect and reports to appropriate staff or state agency as necessary.

11. Communicates and coordinates treatment with multidisciplinary team members.

12. Maintains timely and accurate progress notes and clinical documentation in required Agency and other databases.

13. Works with other community agencies and resources when necessary.

14. Participates in professional community meetings and seminars to network and enhance professional growth.

15. Completes outcome data collection and submits to supervisor in a timely manner.

16. Supports university interns to enhance the students’ clinical practicum.

17. All job requirements listed indicate the minimum level of knowledge, skill, and or ability deemed necessary to perform the job proficiently. This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Employees will be responsible for performing any other job-related instructions/tasks given by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodations.

III. Agency Expectations of Employee:

• All employees are expected to adhere to Agency Policies and Procedures.
• All employees are expected to dress appropriately and professionally.
• All employees are expected to attend required and/or assigned Agency trainings.
• All employees are expected to be courteous, polite and friendly both to our clients and to their fellow employees.
• All employees are expected to consistently report to work on time prepared to perform the duties of their position.

IV. Qualifications:

Education/Experience: A Master’s Degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, Mental Health or related field with at least one year of related experience or direct homeless services experience. Professional licensure or eligibility for professional licensure is preferred. Proficient in Microsoft Office with excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills. Must have a valid Florida Driver’s License.

Work Environment:

Work environment characteristics 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.

The Behavioral Health Therapist works in settings of Broward Partnership, including offices, classrooms, group rooms as well as being involved in other areas of Broward Partnership programs both on and off campus, including street-based outreach sites and other homeless services provider locations. In addition, the position is active in the community as situations warrant, representing Broward Partnership.