Clinician II - Mental Health Court Therapist - 3644

Indian Rivers Behavioral Health•Tuscaloosa, AL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This is a full-time position requiring 40 hours per week, with a schedule of Monday-Thursday from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm and Friday from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. The role is based in Tuscaloosa, AL. The Clinician II will be a key member of the Mental Health Court Team, requiring a strong commitment to the project, knowledge of cultural diversity, and the ability to work effectively with clients facing multiple challenges. Essential competencies include strong communication skills, the ability to coordinate with various legal and behavioral health entities, and in-depth knowledge of medical and psychotropic medications, physiological responses to illnesses, and substance abuse disorders. The position also requires an understanding of therapy techniques for SMI and SA populations, the ability to maintain program standards, and competent computer skills. The Clinician will provide direct client services, including crisis intervention, individual therapy, case management, and medication monitoring, while adhering to all relevant policies and procedures.

Requirements

Master's degree in behavioral sciences required.
At least 2 years experience in a community mental health setting preferred.
Current Alabama driver's license and good driving record as defined by Indian Rivers' policy.
Must be able to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English.
Must possess a strong commitment to the Mental Health Court Team Project.
Must be knowledgeable in cultural diversity and must be able to work well w/clients with multiple problems.
Must possess strong communication skills and the ability to coordinate with Indian Rivers Behavioral Health, Tuscaloosa County Jail, Tuscaloosa and Northport Municipal Court Systems, Tuscaloosa County District Court, Tuscaloosa County Probate Court, and other agency personnel.
Must be knowledgeable of Tuscaloosa County Jail, Tuscaloosa and Northport Municipal Court Systems, Tuscaloosa County Probate Court, and Tuscaloosa County District Court organizations and policies.
In-depth knowledge of medications: medical – purpose for usage, administration details, possible complications, side effects, interactions; psychotropic – purpose for usage, administration details, possible complications, side effects and interactions.
In-depth knowledge of physiological responses to medical illnesses and treatment and psychiatric illnesses and treatment.
Knowledge of substance abuse/dependence disorders and appropriate levels of treatment.
Must possess effective understanding of therapy techniques used with the SMI and SA populations.
Must be able to comprehend and maintain program standards.
Must possess excellent professional verbal and written communication skills.
Must be able to interact with clients and their families in a respectful and sensitive manner.
Must be able to work within the Organization to effectively serve the needs of the consumers.
Must be able to work with other program staff in a cooperative, supportive manner.
Must possess competent computer skills.
Must be knowledgeable of and abide by HIPAA regulations with regard to protected health information as defined by HIPAA and IRBH.
Minimally accesses verbal, written, and /or electronic PHI, usually incidentally to an approved use and /or disclosure as pertains to consumer's financial, demographic, and/or clinical data.
Must have the use of sensory skills in order to effectively communicate and interact with other employees and the public through the use of the telephone and personal contact.
Physical capability to effectively use and operate various items of office related equipment, such as, but not limited to, computer, copier, multi-line phone and fax machine.
Some risk involved in the event of aggressive/out-of-control consumers.
Physical presence onsite is essential.
Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range.
Able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
Must maintain current TB Test, CPR/First Aid, CPI.

Nice To Haves

At least 2 years experience in a community mental health setting preferred.

Responsibilities

Ensure that all assigned duties are implemented according to IRBH and DMH policies and procedures.
Ensure all safety, fire prevention, and health measures are followed while on duty.
Complete reporting information needed for the MHC Team as identified by the immediate supervisor.
Maintain a case load as directed by immediate supervisor while providing continuity of care including frequency of contact and provision of services.
Work in conjunction with paraprofessionals and professional staff.
Establish and maintain therapeutic relationships, observing professional boundaries.
Assist consumers through crisis situations and/or arrange for the provision of such assistance from other professionals/personal care givers and serve as an advocate for consumers.
Follow the DMH/DD and Medicaid standards for provision of mental health consultation, individual therapy, case management, crisis intervention, basic living skills, medication monitoring, and family support services.
Share responsibility for 24-hour emergency coverage for MHC team clients.
Provide short-term crisis stabilization/assessment in client's home and in the community.
Provide assessment, treatment, and recommendations in the Tuscaloosa County Jail and court systems.
Provide home and community based services for targeted client population who have involvement with legal authorities.
Takes referrals from immediate supervisor, Tuscaloosa County jail and court systems.
Ensure that SUN-R assessments are completed within 30 days of the first contact with the client.
Ensure that treatment plans are completed the first visit with the client.
Ensure that client charts are up to date and accurate.
Meet or exceed productivity requirements of 88 billable hours per month.
Transport consumers in a company vehicle, ensuring that company vehicle is operated in a safe manner and that appropriate staff are notified if there is an accident or if the vehicle is in need of service.
Ensure that agency vehicles have pre-trip inspections, monthly maintenance checks, and provide report documentation to supervisor and Facilities Manager.
If a company vehicle is not available utilize personal vehicle to accomplish work related duties. Indian Rivers will reimburse mileage.
Provides outreach community services (may require home visits) as required by supervisor or program standards.
Attend staffings and team meetings as assigned.
Ensure safety of consumers, preserving basic human and legal rights.
Demonstrate appropriate and ethical behavior at all times.
Demonstrate a positive attitude toward work and the completion of work assignments.
Address any consumer concerns to the Supervisor or Program Manager.
Provide all necessary data as required by the center and the state.
Provide consultation and evaluation services to staff and general public as assigned.
Maintain communication and awareness of current Organization events by reading memos, emails, bulletin boards, and communication logs and respond in a timely manner.
Work independently and/or with teams to complete assigned tasks accurately and in a timely manner with minimum supervision.
Support Organizational Code of Conduct, Standards Compliance, HIPAA and Security Programs by ensuring job tasks are performed in a legal and ethical manner, assessing the work area for non-compliance and notifying the supervisor, manager, Executive Director or designee as appropriate, and maintaining training requirements and understanding that training is a required condition of employment.
Maintain the confidential nature of all consumer and Organization related activities by not divulging information outside the facility, discussing information within the facility on a need-to-know basis, acknowledging policy annually by signing confidentiality statement, and by referring media and general inquiries to the Executive Director.
Adhere to attendance and punctuality policy by allowing adequate time to arrive, clock-in and assume responsibilities at designated time, adhering to meal and break times and making timely requests for annual leave and reporting the need for sick leave in accordance with policy.
Comply with all standards related to safety and health by maintaining current TB Test, CPR/First Aid, CPI, and by reporting infections and on-the-job injuries in accordance with policy.
Identify opportunities for improving the quality of services provided by the department and the organization.
Represent the Organization in an accurate and professional manner.
Provide accurate documentation of billable time and service reports in a timely manner.
Maintain and support open communication with supervisor.
Devote 40 hours per week to the completion of duties as outlined in the job description.
More than 40 hours of work per week may be required to meet job responsibilities and deadlines.
All other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Supervisor or Executive Director