Behavioral Health Therapist I - Hybrid or Fully On-Site

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Mode of work: This position is hybrid or fully on-site at our Chelsea or West Ann Arbor locations.

The Behavioral Health Therapist applies knowledge and skills of a variety of mental health and psychosocial practices to evaluate patients’ and families’ needs, perform mental health evaluation, provide counseling, and design and implement treatment plans. Treatment interventions for patients (and families when appropriate) are aligned with best practice standards. The therapist collaborates with the patient’s clinical team in planning and facilitating the patient’s receipt of appropriate therapeutic services.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Evaluates patients’ and families’ behavioral and emotional health and makes recommendations regarding their treatment
2. Uses validated screening tools for assessment and symptom monitoring.
3. Creates treatment plans that reflect patient’s values, goals and health. Incorporates feedback from patient’s treatment team and support system in the treatment plan.
4. Provides group and individual therapy to patients and families, using evidence-based approaches.
5. Provides crisis and short-term intervention for acute needs, as well as assists patients and families in understanding the implications and complexities of the psychological situation. Provides treatment or assists in securing appropriate referral.
6. Completes patient-related documentation and communicates relevant clinical information to both the patient, referring provider(s), and treatment team in accordance with department and agency policy in a timely fashion, and with content that is focused on relevant issues.
7. Understands or seeks supervision regarding legal issues that affect treatment, including but not limited to child custody, divorce laws, child/adult abuse, duty to warn, recipient rights policies and procedures, alternative treatment orders (ATOs), and the commitment process for involuntary psychiatric hospitalization.
8. Maintains a productivity rate in accordance with department and/or agency policy.
9. Sustains effective relationships with a multidisciplinary team.
10. Protects the confidentiality of patient information in accordance with HIPAA.
11. Assumes additional responsibilities and performs work within position licensure, as required.

ORGANIZATIONAL EXPECTATIONS:

1. Creates a positive, professional, service-oriented work environment for staff, patients and family members by supporting the mission and values of both IHA and Trinity Health.
2. Must be able to work effectively as a member of the patient’s treatment team and the Behavioral Health team.
3. Successfully completes IHA’s “The Customer” training and adheres to IHA’s standard of promptly providing a high level of service and respect to internal or external customers.
4. Maintains knowledge of and complies with IHA standards, policies and procedures.
5. Maintains complete knowledge of office services and in the use of all relevant office equipment, computer and manual systems.
6. Maintains strict patient and employee confidentiality in compliance with IHA and HIPAA guidelines.
7. Serves as a role model by demonstrating exceptional ability and willingness to take on new and additional responsibilities. Embraces new ideas and respects cultural differences.
8. Uses resources efficiently.
9. Responsible for ongoing professional development – maintains appropriate licensure/certification and continuing education credentials, participates in available learning opportunities.

MEASURED BY:

Performance that meets or exceeds IHA CARES Values expectation as outlined in IHA Performance Review document, relative to position.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION: Master of Social Work, Counseling or related field.

CREDENTIALS/LICENSURE: Valid, applicable license to provide mental health services in the State of Michigan.

State specialty certification (such as Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor or Infant Mental Health Specialist) may be required for some positions.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE: At least one year of experience providing mental health clinical services.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS (ABILITIES & SKILLS):

1. Demonstrated knowledge and skill in providing group and individual therapy.
2. Proficient/knowledgeable in medical terminology.
3. Knowledge of behavioral health procedures and policies related to position responsibilities.
4. Knowledge of mental health conditions and evidence-based treatment. Ability to implement evidence-based interventions and protocols for behavioral health conditions.
5. Fluent in psychosocial theories with ability to apply concepts to patients and families.
6. General understanding of and ability to utilize community resources.
7. Fluent in conflict resolution that demonstrates respect, limits, and flexibility.
8. Possesses critical thinking skills and ability to analyze complex data sets. Ability to manage complex clinical issues utilizing assessment and triage skills and protocols.
9. Ability to exercise sound judgment and exceptional problem-solving skills, specifically as it relates to resolving patient mental health concerns.
10. Autonomous work ethic. Functions with minimal direct supervision.
11. Seeks out and accepts supervision, continuing professional development and continual improvement of own and agency’s practices and operations; consistently collaborates in multidisciplinary treatment planning and professional practice review.
12. Interpersonal skills that support team building and networking.
13. Excellent communication skills in both written and verbal forms, including proper phone etiquette, necessary to allow for comprehensive clinical documentation and effective communication with others. Ability to speak before groups of people, either in-person or virtually, and display positive listening and relationship-building skills. Demonstrates ability to influence and negotiate individual and group decision-making.
14. Efficient, disciplined work habits enabling clinician to responsibly sustain an active, high-volume caseload.
15. Ability to coordinate, plan, evaluate and integrate clinical education and professional development activities that foster and maintain behavioral health best practices.
16. Proficient in operating a standard desktop and Windows-based computer system, including but not limited to, electronic medical records, email, e-learning, intranet, Microsoft Word and Excel, and computer navigation.
17. Outstanding organizational and time management skills to effectively juggles multiple priorities and time constraints.
18. Ability to work effectively with various levels of organizational members and diverse populations including IHA staff, providers, patients, family members, insurance carriers, vendors, external customers and community groups.
19. Ability to handle patient and organizational information in a confidential manner.
20. Knowledge of the compliance aspects of clinical care and patient privacy and best practices in medical office operations.
21. Ability to drive to other office/practice sites and meeting and training locations.
22. Is open to expanding patient hours when needed to effectively service patient needs.
23. Successful completion of IHA competency-based program within introductory and training period.

MINIMUM PHYSICAL EXPECTATIONS:

1. Physical activity that often requires keyboarding, phone work and charting.
2. Physical activity that often requires extensive time working on a computer.
3. Physical activity that often requires walking, standing, bending, stooping, reaching, climbing, kneeling and/or twisting.
4. Physical activity that often requires lifting, pushing and/or pulling up to 20 pounds.
5. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, depth perception, peripheral vision and the ability to adjust and focus.
6. Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, photocopier, telephone, calculator and other office equipment.
7. Must hear and speak well enough to conduct business over the telephone or face to face for long periods of time in English.

MINIMUM ENVIRONMENTAL EXPECTATIONS:

This job operates in a medical facility and requires regular walking to various locations around the hospital/clinic. Employees will be working where there is patient care equipment. Hazardous materials, including bloodborne pathogens and bodily fluids are also present. Exposure to sharps, x-rays, patients' conditions and some unpleasant sights, smells and contagious diseases is possible. This position requires significant interaction with people (many of whom are scared, hurt and/or ill) which can be stressful and result in competing priorities.