Adolescent (Middle School age) Therapist

SUN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH GROUP•Lexington, KY

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The Therapist provides comprehensive assessment and care for people whose lives are disrupted or complicated by mental illness, behavioral disturbances, substance abuse issues, or difficulty functioning in the community. The role assists law enforcement, family members, and others with voluntary admissions and emergency detentions; refers people to community resources; assigns patients to appropriate outpatient programs; and coordinates inpatient admissions through medical staff. The Therapist works as part of a multidisciplinary team and participates in community relations and continuous quality improvement activities. The role conducts psychosocial evaluations, interviews patients and others, assesses psychosocial stressors, facilitates emergency detention documentation, and provides individual and group therapy. It prepares clinical assessments, diagnoses, progress notes, treatment plans, and discharge plans; links patients to appropriate levels of care; and collaborates with physicians, healthcare workers, and community agencies. The Therapist also performs phone triage, documents patient interactions, advocates for patients, supports safety and quality initiatives, and maintains effective working relationships with patients, families, colleagues, and medical staff.

Requirements

Current, unencumbered license in the state of employment, if required by the state, as an LPC, LMFT, LSW, LISW, LISW-S, LPCC, LPCC-S, LMSW, LCSW, or state-equivalent license.
CPR certification and certification in a hospital-selected de-escalation technique.
At least two years of supervised clinical experience.
Master’s degree in a mental-health-related field is preferred.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in a mental-health-related field.
Assessment and evaluation experience.
Maintaining education and development appropriate for the position.

Responsibilities

Complete psychosocial evaluations and demonstrate strong interviewing, diagnostic, and report-writing skills.
Interview patients, family members, and others to identify precipitating events and assess the degree of disruption and psychosocial stressors.
Facilitate emergency detentions through interviews and preparation of appropriate legal documents.
Provide care appropriate to patients’ condition and age, including pediatric, geriatric, and general populations.
Conduct individual and group therapy sessions.
Write clinical assessments and diagnoses in the prescribed manner for the medical record.
Summarize assessments and connect patients with the appropriate level of care.
Participate in weekly treatment planning, work with the interdisciplinary treatment team, and complete progress notes and discharge plans promptly.
Coordinate discharge planning with patients, attending physicians, and other healthcare workers.
Collaborate with medical staff and community agencies on evaluations, recommendations, and referrals.
Use Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) knowledge to manage crisis situations involving escalated patients.
Document all patient-related interactions and complete documentation required for medical records and third-party payers.
Perform phone triage to assess patients and connect them with the Assessment and Referral Department for initial assessment.
Provide care in a way that promotes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of healthcare errors.
Advocate for patients in the community and maintain effective relationships within and across departments.
Communicate clearly with the Program Director, coworkers, and medical staff.
Help maintain a safe environment for patients, clients, and staff, including recognizing and documenting unusual incidents.
Remain flexible, organized, and effective in stressful situations; perform other duties as assigned.
Follow workplace safety rules, report near misses, errors, and accidents, correct minor hazards, and communicate identified hazards.
Attend required safety programs and participate in assigned quality projects and initiatives.
Work cooperatively with colleagues and build collaborative relationships with patients, families, staff, and physicians.
Retrieve, communicate, and present information verbally and in writing; demonstrate listening and communication skills.
Adhere to standards of behavior, policies, procedures, protocols, and laws, and apply the organization’s mission and values.
Use supplies and facility resources responsibly and complete required training on time.
Maintain professional attendance and attitude, protect confidential information in accordance with HIPAA and other privacy laws, and ensure documentation follows federal and state guidelines.
Demonstrate accountability for quality patient care, willingness to help people in need, and understanding and acceptance of cultural diversity.