Child and Family Therapist

Sea Mar Community Health Centers•Bellingham, WA

3d•$33•Hybrid

About The Position

Sea Mar Community Health Centers is seeking a full-time Child and Family Therapist for its Behavioral Health Department in Bellingham, WA. This role involves providing individual and/or family therapy, case management, crisis stabilization, treatment planning, and potentially leading groups. The therapist will also coordinate with medication providers, primary physicians, and other community partners. Key responsibilities include accurately diagnosing mental health issues, developing treatment plans, and working within schools in Whatcom County, with some days based in rural schools. The position requires reliable transportation, with mileage reimbursement. Free clinical supervision hours towards licensure are provided.

Requirements

An understanding of the Behavioral Health Organization, County, and/or MCO contracts with the ability to tier clients in a managed care system.
The ability to work effectively with all persons and groups with an open mind towards cultural differences and knowledge of cultures.
The ability to accurately diagnose mental health issues and develop treatment plans based upon diagnoses.
The ability to NOT diagnose behavioral problems as mental illnesses unless appropriate.
An understanding of chemical dependency treatment and an ability to coordinate mental health services with chemical dependency treatment providers if necessary.
Must complete an annual clinical competency test as a mental health therapist.
The Child and Family Clinical Therapist must sign a permanent oath of confidentiality covering all patient related information.
Must pass a background check.
A Master's degree from an accredited college or university in psychology, counseling, or social work, which includes course-work in psychological diagnostics.
For a licensed therapist, must have a license in Marriage and Family Therapy (LMFT), Mental Health Counseling (LMHC), or Social Work (LICSW or LASW).
License or mental health Associate License (includes Marriage and Family Therapist, Mental Health Counselor, and Clinical Social Worker).
Must possess a Child Mental Health Specialist credential or be working towards credential.
MUST meet WAC requirements for a Mental Health Professional.
Computer proficiency with Cerner and MS Office and other Medical software.
Experience working with children and families required.
Must be willing to work later hours (after 5 pm) on some days.
Will require work within schools in Whatcom County.
This position is based 2 days in rural schools.
Requires your own transportation.

Nice To Haves

Experience with evidence based models and wrap around services preferred.
Bilingual Spanish/English highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Provide developmentally and culturally appropriate formal and informal diagnostic assessments for each patient.
Document outcomes, justify diagnoses, and communicate with collaborative partners regarding outcomes and recommendations.
Communicate with Primary Care Physicians, Substance Abuse Counselors, schools, case workers, or others involved in the care of the patient.
Demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served, specifically children and families.
Provide information about assessments and involve family members as active participants in the assessment process and in treatment planning.
Collaborate with other professionals in conducting family-centered assessments and treatment planning.
Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span.
Identify and categorize each patient's age-specific grouping of needs.
Refer patients to psychiatric and medication management services as appropriate.
Gather record materials and background information as needed.
Actively collaborate with the psychiatric service provider to ensure accuracy of presentation and that identified needs are addressed.
Provide monitoring regarding the effects of medications, and feedback to the psychiatrist regarding effects/side effects.
Provide individual and/or family counseling, in coordination with other systems as needed.
Provide suicide risk assessment and develop treatment plans to address suicidal ideation or gestures.
Use case management as needed to provide follow-through and build community support.
Provide other crisis stabilization as needed.
Gather information regarding past mental health services to be used in the individual's treatment plan development.
Provide mental health services referrals to patients prior to or following admission, and exchange information with outside service providers.
Support other staff regarding mental health needs of staff or patients.
Maintain confidentiality, prevent splitting between staff and patients, and offer concrete ideas on handling challenging situations.
Assist in ensuring agency compliance with WAC's, RCW's, and other pertinent laws, regulations, and contracts.
Assist in developing and implementing policies and procedures as directed by the Program Director.
Educate staff regarding the process for mental health service referrals and regarding "psycho educational topics" (suicide risk assessment, behavior modification, etc.) as directed by the Program Manager.
Maintain documentation of mental health services, and follow through in patient charts.
Produce a minimum of 80 encounters that will equal at least 80 hours of face-to-face contact.