Outpatient Psych Therapist-Partial Hospitalization Full Time Days

Northwestern Memorial Healthcare • Orland Park, IL

5d

About The Position

The Outpatient Psych Therapist provides outpatient psychiatric treatment to people experiencing psychiatric or chemical dependency difficulties, as well as their families and significant others. The therapist establishes a therapeutic alliance, advocates for patients, and uses knowledge of assessment, counseling, therapy, relapse prevention, referral, and recovery while considering age-specific needs and behaviors. The role follows Northwestern Medicine’s mission, values, Code of Ethics, compliance program, policies, and applicable regulatory and accreditation standards.

The therapist assesses patients and their support systems, develops and updates phased treatment plans in collaboration with patients and the multidisciplinary team, provides individual, family, and group psychotherapy and educational services, and evaluates treatment effectiveness and progress. The position also involves discharge planning, referrals, clinical documentation, communication with patients and care teams, safety practices, continuing education, and participation in performance improvement activities. LCSWs additionally provide clinical supervision and consultation to other practitioners and may directly participate in therapy interventions.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work, Clinical Psychology, or another related discipline.
• Appropriate current licensure in the State of Illinois.
• Three to five years of experience treating patients with psychiatric and substance use problems.
• Extensive experience with families and/or individuals in a psychiatric or substance use setting involving crisis or problematic situations.
• Current CPR certification.

Nice To Haves

• LCPC or LCSW.

Responsibilities

• Assess and document patients’ psychological and emotional status and the needs of their families or support systems; organize assessment data and collaborate with patients on a comprehensive problem list.
• Use motivational interviewing and recovery-based approaches, including attention to the dimensions of health, home, purpose, and community.
• Collaborate with registered nurses and other team members to address patient needs and initiate discharge planning, including identifying referrals and appropriate levels of care.
• Develop and update phased treatment plans with patients, incorporating age-specific care, treatment goals, methods, and discharge planning.
• Identify patient and family teaching needs, consult with physicians and care team members, and arrange care-planning conferences when indicated.
• Provide group therapy and educational seminars, individual and family counseling, and outpatient psychotherapy in individual, family or marital, and group modalities.
• Use evidence-based interventions and self-report or behavioral measures to evaluate progress; document assessments, interventions, responses, and maintain clinical records according to department policy.
• Evaluate care at each session, adjust treatment plans and phases as appropriate, consult with physicians, and discuss patients at multidisciplinary conferences.
• Seek patient feedback on therapy sessions and the therapeutic relationship.
• Communicate effectively with patients, families, the public, coworkers, psychiatrists, and the Director; provide input to outpatient psychiatry and hospital committees as appropriate.
• Maintain confidentiality, advocate for patients, and seek resolutions to identified problems.
• Follow department administration requirements, including dress code and maintaining an organized department; be available to work scheduled days and maintain an organized unit when relieving the Director or Charge Therapist.
• For LCSWs, provide direct supervision of care at all levels, respond to needs for active participation in therapy interventions, and provide clinical consultation and supervision to non-LCSW and non-APN practitioners.
• Attend required safety, infection control, and blood-borne pathogen in-services; report unsafe situations and use proper body mechanics.
• Expand knowledge of mental health and chemical dependency resources, attend seminars and in-services, develop therapy skills, maintain CPR certification, participate appropriately in performance improvement activities, and keep current with psychiatric social work trends.
• Maintain competency and demonstrate required skills at acceptable standards.

Benefits

• Tuition reimbursement
• Loan forgiveness
• 401(k) matching
• A wide range of benefits supporting physical, emotional, and financial well-being and protection for unexpected life events

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level