THERAPIST (MA/MSW) PRN

UHS • MADERA, CA

3d

About The Position

The Outpatient Therapist supports the day-to-day operations of the Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient programs. The position includes administrative functions, utilization review, assessment, discharge planning, group and individual therapy, case management, and other duties that contribute to successful program delivery. The therapist also provides social work consultation, crisis intervention, coordination with patients’ families and community agencies, and timely clinical information to HMO and insurance providers.

The role includes program operations and quality responsibilities, such as monitoring medical records, coordinating performance improvement activities, responding to unusual occurrences, supporting safety and infection-control practices, and serving as the facility’s Patient Advocate. The therapist collaborates with the Director of Outpatient Services, Case Management, physicians, nursing staff, patients, families, and other departments. The position may augment Inpatient Services as needed.

The therapist is expected to apply age-appropriate care standards for children, adolescents, adults, and geriatric patients. The role also includes maintaining clinical knowledge and skills, attending required trainings and meetings, following facility policies, and supporting facility quality and business-development activities.

This position requires frequent movement and may involve lifting, pushing, pulling, twisting, stooping, and lifting or holding a patient without assistance. Work is performed indoors in an air-conditioned environment in summer and heated environment in winter; visual acuity is needed to read gauges, notice patient changes, and review reports.

Requirements

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work or a clinically related mental health field.
• At least two years of experience in a psychiatric health care facility.
• Direct experience in family therapy, group therapy, crisis intervention, and treatment skills.
• Strong clinical assessment skills.
• Licensure in California as an LCSW, LMFT, ACSW, or AMFT.
• Thorough knowledge of The Joint Commission, OSHA, and state and federal regulatory requirements.
• CPR certification.
• Successful completion of Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training; CPI training may be obtained during new-hire orientation.
• Thorough knowledge of psychiatric and medical procedures and code procedures.
• Knowledge of state mental health laws, abuse laws, and the DHS provider agreement.
• Knowledge of management theories.
• Ability to organize and prioritize workloads, meet deadlines, and manage multiple tasks during emergencies.
• Effective oral and written communication, telephone etiquette, and paging skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients and coworkers and work as a team player.
• Ability to follow safety policies, maintain confidentiality, exercise good judgment, and interpret and apply guidelines and procedures.
• Ability to demonstrate tact, resourcefulness, patience, and dedication; accept direction; and adhere to policies and procedures.
• Ability to adapt care to adolescent, adult, and geriatric patient groups and to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations.
• Ability to move frequently and to lift, push, pull, twist, and stoop during patient care; lifting and holding a patient without assistance may be required.
• Visual acuity to read gauges and reports and observe patient changes.

Nice To Haves

• Outpatient experience is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support the day-to-day operations of the Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient programs, including administration, utilization review, assessment, discharge planning, therapy, and case management.
• Coordinate processes for determining and maintaining accurate patient legal processes.
• Ensure infection-control, safety, and risk-management policies are consistently implemented.
• Process unusual occurrence reports and conduct investigations and corrective planning when needed.
• Coordinate performance-improvement activities and oversee the effectiveness of program quality-management activities.
• Monitor medical records for appropriate documentation of care and treatment-plan effectiveness.
• Evaluate the appropriateness of medical and psychiatric emergency interventions performed in the program.
• Act as the facility Patient Advocate.
• Prepare, compile, and maintain files and open outpatient records.
• Coordinate communication among staff, physicians, patients, families, and other departments.
• Participate in designated task force meetings and meet regularly with the Director of Outpatient Services.
• Collaborate with Case Management to support timely, quality patient care.
• Attend annual mandatory in-service programs and other appropriate meetings, workshops, and in-house trainings.
• Complete psychosocial assessments.
• Provide or co-lead group therapy and provide individual and family therapy sessions and crisis intervention.
• Augment Inpatient Services as needed.
• Deliver timely and accurate clinical information to HMO and insurance providers for PHP/IOP.
• Provide social work consultations to physicians, nurses, hospital staff, patients, and patients’ relatives, and coordinate with community agencies as appropriate.
• Provide case management and discharge-planning services to PHP/IOP patients as needed.
• Respond to requests from hospital physicians, intake and assessment personnel, nurses, and other staff.
• Use time constructively, organize assigned work, delegate duties as appropriate, and exercise good judgment.
• Collaborate professionally with physicians, licensed practitioners, staff, patients, visitors, and allied health providers.
• Demonstrate procedural expertise to staff through teaching, demonstration, and consultation, and show evidence of ongoing education in health care management.
• Apply age-appropriate standards of care for child, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients, including developmental assessment, appropriate limits and interventions, and applicable seclusion and restraint procedures.
• Develop and maintain an account-management list and current account information; contact primary accounts through visits, calls, and mailings.
• Monitor referrals and admissions and plan strategies to maximize referral potential.
• Maintain awareness of industry changes through self-education, peer education, and professional and community involvement.
• Participate in business-development and marketing efforts, facility statistics analysis, business-planning recommendations, internal facility marketing, and related committees and meetings.
• Provide the Director of Outpatient Services with timely reports on month-end reviews, client servicing schedules, customer sales forms, and other reporting requirements.
• Follow facility, department, corporate, personnel, and standard policies and procedures; attend mandatory in-services; meet conduct, dress, attendance, and punctuality standards.
• Support facility-wide quality and performance-improvement goals and maintain confidentiality of employee and patient information.

What This Job Offers