Associate Therapist

Discovery Behavioral Health•Sacramento, CA

5d•$70,500 - $79,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Therapist works as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide treatment according to the Center for Discovery Clinical Model. The role includes ensuring patient safety, providing milieu interventions, leading psychoeducational and process-oriented therapy groups, facilitating clinical assessments, conducting therapy sessions, and completing case management tasks. The Associate Therapist establishes rapport with patients and their families or loved ones; completes timely clinical documentation; participates in treatment planning; provides individual and family/support-system sessions according to each patient's level of care; and supports admissions, discharge planning, continuity of care, utilization reviews, and crisis management. The position also includes collaboration with milieu staff and other clinical and administrative teams. For residential treatment center (RTC) assignments, the therapist provides on-call support at least once per month. This is a full-time, on-site position in Granite Bay, California, with a Monday–Friday schedule from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The therapist operates under supervision and is not licensed.

Requirements

Master’s or doctorate degree in a relevant field.
Completion of state requirements to conduct therapeutic interventions.
Operate under supervision; the position is not licensed.
Obtain CPI certification within 90 days of hire.
Obtain CPR, AED, and First Aid certification within 90 days of hire.
Obtain ServSafe certification within 90 days of hire.
Current driver’s license in good standing.

Responsibilities

Complete clinical documentation in a timely manner throughout treatment.
Establish therapeutic rapport with patients and their families or loved ones.
Facilitate admission assessments and the admission process professionally.
Participate in weekly treatment team meetings and communicate weekly treatment goals to team members.
Complete the appropriate number of weekly therapy sessions based on level of care: RTC patients receive two individual sessions and one family/support-system session; PHP patients receive one individual and one family/support-system session; IOP patients receive one individual or family/support-system session as clinically indicated.
Facilitate process-oriented and psychoeducational groups one to two times daily.
Sit with patients at a meal and/or snack at least once per week.
Facilitate multi-family groups, family programs, and/or family weekends.
Provide utilization reviews to insurance companies and clinical information for initial and continuing-stay authorizations as needed.
Assess patients for suicidality and risk of danger to themselves or others.
Provide additional clinical support for other clinical team members in their absence, as needed.
Communicate with the Utilization Review and Business departments regarding authorization and payment.
Begin discharge planning on the day of admission.
Conduct discharge sessions to ensure patients understand and have coping skills, transition plans, and resources in place.
Confirm discharge appointments with patients and loved ones before discharge.
Communicate with referral sources and outpatient providers at admission, midpoint, and discharge to support continuity of care.
Facilitate transfers to a higher level of care when needed.
Participate in clinical outreach and program tours as needed.
Manage crises in sessions and the milieu effectively.
Support milieu staff in their interactions with patients and loved ones.
Collaborate with the treatment team and milieu staff to maintain clinical quality.
Complete other tasks as requested or assigned.
For RTC assignments, provide facility on-call support at least once per month, return program calls within 20 minutes while on call, and communicate pertinent facility issues to the On Call Administrator or Regional Director.