Behavioral Health Therapist (OPS La Mesa)

Alvarado Parkway Institute•La Mesa, CA

12d•Onsite

About The Position

Alvarado Parkway Institute (API) is seeking a Behavioral Health Therapist (ASW, AMFT, APCC) for its Intensive Outpatient Program in La Mesa, California. API is a freestanding psychiatric hospital offering adult inpatient behavioral health and addictive-disorders services, as well as Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient programs. These outpatient programs focus on symptom management, community integration, and preventing hospitalization or rehospitalization. The therapist provides case-management and psychotherapeutic services to adult psychiatric patients in the OPS program, their families, and social-support networks. The role is part of an interdisciplinary treatment team and supports the organization’s treatment program and philosophy. The therapist provides assessments, psychotherapy, crisis intervention, individualized treatment and discharge planning, referrals, and related services while ensuring quality care and appropriate documentation. Applicants must apply online through API’s careers website to be considered. Employment is subject to API’s stated screening, health, and workplace requirements, including background and reference checks, applicable current licensure or registration, flu-vaccination requirements, drug and alcohol testing, TB screening, and a physical examination designed to assess ability to perform the job duties.

Requirements

Master’s degree in social work, marriage and family therapy, psychology, or an equivalent master’s degree in a recognized mental health field.
Must be license-eligible.
Registration or license with the Board of Behavioral Sciences or Board of Psychology is required; applicable credentials must be kept current and valid.
Knowledge of acute adult psychological disorders and advanced principles of abnormal psychology as they apply to adults.
Knowledge of relevant regulatory compliance and reporting requirements, computer software applications, department or division programs and objectives, and governing rules, regulations, laws, policies, and procedures, including the Affordable Care Act.
Skills in case management, time management, crisis intervention for patients with acute psychosis, and nonviolent crisis-intervention practices.
Ability to conduct individual and group psychotherapy and maintain highly confidential information.
Ability to treat other age populations as needed or develop the skills through the organization’s cross-training and orientation program.
Ability to clearly summarize clinical information in correspondence and medical-record documentation; adapt and work flexibly; collaborate in a team; solve problems and initiate resolutions; analyze information and develop feasible solutions; apply technical knowledge; take responsibility; and make timely decisions after considering risks.
Ability to read and interpret business periodicals, professional journals, and governmental regulations; write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals; and present information and respond to questions from officials, management, union leaders, and employees.
Ability to use standard office equipment and a computer; perform repetitive keyboard work with sufficient manual and finger dexterity; communicate effectively in person and by telephone; follow and give detailed verbal and written instructions; perform complex mental and basic arithmetic functions; interpret complex laws, regulations, and policies; collect, interpret, and analyze complex data; coordinate multiple tasks; and see details at close range.
Ability to reach forward, upward, downward, and to the side; sit or stand for at least one hour at a time; repeatedly travel to and from the work area; walk or stand for long periods, approximately three-quarters of the workday; and lift up to 15 pounds.
Complete satisfactory background and reference checks and sign the employment non-compete/confidentiality agreement.
Complete required flu vaccination as a condition of hire and ongoing employment, unless exempt under the stated allergy or contraindication conditions; applicable exemptions require physician documentation and require mask use in API buildings or vehicles during influenza season.
Pass drug and alcohol testing and obtain a clear TB skin test or chest X-ray at Concentra.
Complete a satisfactory physical examination at Concentra to determine ability to perform the position’s duties.

Nice To Haves

Experience in an outpatient or inpatient setting is preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop treatment plans and self-harm intervention plans.
Conduct psychosocial assessments and other required assessments and screenings, interviewing patients and members of their support networks to document relevant history and identify treatment priorities.
Build and maintain effective working relationships and communication within and between departments; respond to requests from patients, families, and caregivers; provide directions as needed; and protect confidential information.
Provide individual and group psychotherapy, psychoeducation, family counseling when appropriate, and crisis intervention using recognized effective interventions; comply with billing and documentation guidelines.
Develop and coordinate individualized treatment plans based on physician orders, patient information, treatment-team recommendations, records, and other relevant sources.
Identify community resources and ancillary supports, and develop discharge plans based on patient needs, treatment-team recommendations, and available resources.
Attend treatment-team meetings, contribute the therapist perspective to case management, review and discuss chart notes, and communicate relevant agency legal requirements to the team.
Complete mandatory third-party notifications in accordance with organizational policies and community or legal requirements, and represent the facility in legal proceedings.
Demonstrate cultural sensitivity toward patients and staff.
Provide referrals to inpatient or outpatient settings and complete or assist with assessments for transitions between levels of care.
Participate in activities that support professional growth and development.
Perform other related duties as required.