Therapist - ACT Team

Montgomery Area Mental Health Authority•Montgomery, AL

10d

About The Position

The ACT Team Therapist provides professional mental health services to adults with serious mental illness who receive Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), an intensive, community-based service offering comprehensive, coordinated, and personalized treatment. The therapist is part of an interdisciplinary team that includes nursing, therapy, case management, and psychiatric services. The role provides services to individual clients on the team’s caseload, including assessment, individual and group therapy or counseling, medication monitoring and education, family services, and other clinical care focused on mental disorders, environmental stress, and family relationships. Carastar Health has two ACT teams: one serving up to 48 clients across four counties, and another serving up to 36 individuals in Montgomery County who are under outpatient civil commitment and participating in Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT). The position is full-time and may involve work in non-traditional and in-home settings, as well as assigned locations such as emergency rooms, courts, schools, jails, and the community. A flexible schedule, including evenings or weekends if necessary, is required.

Requirements

Master’s degree in behavioral science from a recognized college or university, including a clinical practicum.
Considerable knowledge of individual and group behavior, with special emphasis on mental and emotional disorders.
Knowledge of counseling principles and methods.
Knowledge of psychotropic drugs, including their use, misuse, desirable and undesirable effects, and available research material.
Knowledge of assessing the mental status of individuals in need of mental health services.
Considerable knowledge of mental health services and available resources.
Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with consumers, families, hospital staff, and community mental health center staff.
Ability to work proactively, assertively, and energetically in fulfilling the position’s duties.
Ability to work effectively as a treatment team member.
Willingness to work in non-traditional and in-home settings.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and/or weekends if necessary.
Reliable transportation and willingness to transport clients.
Valid driver’s license and a driving record acceptable to Carastar’s auto insurance carrier.
Maintain at least liability coverage on personal vehicles.
Maintain current Red Cross First Aid, CPI, and CPR certificates.
Degree and experience must meet requirements for Approved Medicaid Provider status.

Nice To Haves

Some clinical experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide individual mental health services to clients on the team’s caseload, including evaluation and assessment, individual and group therapy or counseling, medication monitoring and education, family services, and other clinical services.
Provide assertive community treatment services to assigned clients.
Participate in staffing of all assigned cases with other treatment team members at least twice weekly.
Participate in clinical supervision as required.
Participate in training activities required by Carastar to enhance professional and therapeutic skills.
Conduct initial intake interviews, assess clients’ problems and needs, and develop treatment plans using strength-based, client-centered interventions.
Update treatment plans as appropriate, including reviewing objectives, goals, and interventions.
Provide crisis intervention and assessments for clients seen on an emergency basis.
Provide mental health consultation to other agencies or providers assisting Carastar’s clients.
Document all services in the Electronic Health Record.
Provide family education and support as outlined in the client’s treatment plan.
Perform mental health evaluations or other therapeutic services at assigned locations, including emergency rooms, courts, schools, jails, and community settings.
Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.