Primary Therapist - Outpatient Services - SW/C II

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Primary Therapist provides outpatient psychiatric treatment through the Colorado Department of Human Services’ Outpatient Services Division, part of Civil and Forensic Mental Health Services. Outpatient Services supports clients transitioning from or diverted from hospitals and jails by providing mental health care in the community. The role conducts assessments, delivers individual, group, and family therapy, contributes to treatment planning, and maintains timely clinical documentation. Services may be provided in the clinic and in community settings, and may involve outreach and transporting clients. The position works at its assigned location Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; work arrangements may change. Applicants must be Colorado residents when applying and remain Colorado residents throughout employment.

Requirements

Current, valid Colorado license or registered candidate status as a Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCC), Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist Candidate (LMFTC), or Addiction Counselor Candidate (ADDC); a current, valid full Colorado license in any of these fields also qualifies.
Current, valid, non-restricted Colorado driver’s license; the posting also allows a non-restricted U.S. driver’s license for positions within 30 miles of the Colorado border, with out-of-state license holders required to obtain a Colorado license within 30 days of starting.
Willingness and ability to travel and potentially transport patients.
Ability to pass all modules of Outpatient Services New Employee Orientation, including English reading comprehension, competency assessments, and written and practical defensive tactics exams.
Ability to complete required physical intervention training and CPR, including specified movements, physical control or restraint of assaultive persons, and consistent walking and stair climbing.
Ability to see and hear to observe and respond to potential safety breaches; ability to work in situations involving assaultive behavior and physical restraint.
Ability to read and comprehend English and communicate effectively and fluently in English, verbally and in writing.
Ability to work in fluctuating noise and temperature conditions, potentially outdoors in inclement weather or in concrete-floor and wall settings.
Must not initiate or engage in sexual, social, personal, or financial relationships with patients during or after treatment; relationships with current or former patients must be disclosed on the application.
Complete two-step tuberculosis screening upon hire and receive annual influenza vaccination.
Pass required background and reference checks; a motor vehicle check may be required when driving a State-owned vehicle.
Meet the Colorado residency requirement at application and throughout employment.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual Spanish skills.
Experience with IOP and PHP treatment.
Experience with Assertive Community Treatment.
Experience with individuals with serious mental illness.
Experience treating addictions and substance use disorders.

Responsibilities

Complete comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments of patients admitted for outpatient psychiatric treatment, interview patients sensitively and supportively, and gather relevant collateral information from family members, guardians, significant others, and referring agencies.
Complete the Colorado Client Assessment Record (CCAR) and other required assessment documentation; reassess patients, document progress, and share relevant assessment information with the treatment team, including information related to risk reduction.
Conduct individual, group, and family therapy using counseling and social work theories suited to patients’ and families’ needs, and account for relevant cultural, developmental, religious, gender, and sexual-orientation considerations.
Interpret treatment issues and behavioral changes for patients and families, assess and document intervention effectiveness, and support milieu staff by modeling interventions and recommending practice or homework assignments.
Build therapeutic alliances, educate patients, families, and community providers about mental illness and treatment, and refer them to relevant resources.
Provide interventions in clinic and community settings, conduct outreach, and transport clients when needed, including in State vehicles.
Participate in developing, directing, and reviewing treatment plans with a multidisciplinary team; recommend interventions, document plans and related issues, and modify plans based on ongoing assessment.
Document individual and group sessions in the approved electronic database and Clinic format, with individualized group notes; complete documentation within five business days and incident reports within 24 hours, and document calls to guardians and client managers.
Participate in orientation, educational workshops, discipline meetings, training, and clinical and administrative supervision; provide consultation and training to clinical staff and discipline members as appropriate.
Perform other assigned duties, including in-clinic crisis response, peer consultation, and milieu support.

Benefits

PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus 401(k) and 457 plans.
Medical and dental health plans.
Employer-supplemented Health Savings Account.
Paid life insurance.
Short- and long-term disability coverage.
11 paid holidays per year, plus vacation and sick leave.
State of Colorado Employee BenefitHub Resource Center.
Employee Wellness program.
Work-life programs, including flexible schedules and training.
Remote work arrangements for eligible positions.
Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.