Behavioral Health Therapist

Great Lakes Bay Health Centers•Saginaw, MI

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Therapist provides assessment, diagnosis, consultation, and interventions for patients with behavioral health, substance use, and/or social determinants of health needs. The therapist offers counseling services to individuals, couples, families, and groups, and recommends referrals or consultations with other specialty providers or care team members when indicated. The position works collaboratively with patients and care teams to develop and communicate appropriate interventions, support care management and self-management of chronic mental and physical health conditions, identify at-risk patients, and help prevent further psychological or physical deterioration. The therapist accepts and responds to care team referrals, provides referrals to appropriate internal and external resources, maintains accurate and timely documentation, and follows organizational quality standards, policies, and procedures. The role also includes monitoring behavioral health needs at an assigned site, recommending improvements, and participating in huddles, staff meetings, case conferences, and other meetings supporting comprehensive behavioral health care. Other duties may be assigned, including regular supervision of school-based therapists. The position requires a master's degree in social work or counseling from an accredited graduate school, Michigan licensure as a Licensed or Limited Licensed Master’s Social Worker or Licensed Professional Counselor, and Basic Life Support certification. Work is full-time or part-time, with flexible and varied hours. Travel may be required within the service area; use of a personal vehicle is possible, with reimbursement according to corporate policy and IRS guidelines. LMSW hires are eligible for a $3,000 signing bonus.

Requirements

Master’s degree in social work or counseling from an accredited graduate school.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
Michigan license as a Licensed or Limited Licensed Master’s Social Worker or Licensed Professional Counselor.
If Limited Licensed Master’s Social Worker, obtain licensure in a timely manner and actively pursue the license.
Maintain good standing and comply with expectations regarding licensure.
Skilled in written and oral communication.
Ability to demonstrate positive customer service skills.
Basic computer skills and ability to work in an electronic medical record.
Ability to prioritize short- and long-term activities and handle multiple tasks efficiently and effectively.
Ability to function effectively in the treatment of patients and resolve interpersonal and professional conflicts appropriately.
Ability to develop and maintain cooperative, effective working relationships with clinical management, executive leadership, the Board of Directors, business associates, and community groups.
Ability to sit, stand, and/or walk for an entire workday.
Ability to lift, carry, push, pull, and/or twist while holding up to 25 pounds occasionally.

Nice To Haves

Preferred minimum of three years of experience in a behavioral health setting.
For substance use disorder work, Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals (MCBAP) certification is preferred when specified by the grant or position.
For substance use disorder work, enrollment in a development plan as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor with MCBAP or additional certification is preferred when specified by the grant or position.
Previous substance abuse experience is preferred for substance use disorder work when specified by the grant or position.

Responsibilities

Accept referrals from the care team regarding patients’ behavioral health needs, respond collaboratively and promptly, and provide and document referrals to appropriate internal or external providers and resources.
Provide comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, consultation, and interventions for behavioral health, substance use, and/or social determinants of health needs.
Provide counseling or behavioral health services to patients individually, as couples, families, and/or groups.
Recommend referral to another specialty provider, care team member, or consultant when indicated by assessment.
Assist the care team in developing care management processes, including guidelines, disease management techniques, case management, and patient education to improve self-management of chronic mental and physical health conditions.
Consult and collaborate with patients and the care team regarding recommended behavioral health interventions and communicate recommendations effectively.
Help identify at-risk patients and develop plans to prevent further psychological or physical deterioration; use available screening tools, psychological stressor assessments, and diagnostic codes when needed to assess risk or determine whether referral is appropriate.
Meet quality and utilization standards and follow organizational policies, procedures, and expectations.
Maintain pertinent, accurate, and timely documentation.
Monitor behavioral health needs at the assigned site and make recommendations to the immediate supervisor regarding gaps or opportunities for improvement.
Attend and actively participate in huddles, staff meetings, case conferences, and meetings supporting the organization’s behavioral health care models.
Maintain a positive and professional attitude and work effectively with colleagues and leadership in serving patients.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Provide regular supervision to school-based therapists.