Therapist

Easter Seals Blake Foundation•Phoenix, AZ

About The Position

Easterseals Blake Foundation provides behavioral health, child welfare, and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Arizona. The Therapist conducts therapeutic sessions with children and adults using evidence-based interventions and best practices. The role assesses behavioral health needs, develops treatment goals, administers screening and testing, maintains clinical records, provides crisis assessment and intervention, and coordinates recommendations for follow-up support and services. Therapists assess and diagnose using applicable diagnostic criteria and complete documentation required by funding sources and system partners. Additional duties vary by level: Therapist II participates in further clinical training, while Therapist III conducts training, mentors newer therapists, and accepts referrals from commercial and self-pay populations. The position involves ongoing professional development and communication with agency contacts, members, and external agencies. Work is performed in a normal office environment with frequent interruptions and includes travel to outlying sites and other locations as needed. Additional hours or days may be required depending on circumstances.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or a related behavioral health field eligible for licensure by the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health, with two years of related experience (BHT), or an associate license in social work, counseling, or marriage and family recognized by the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners (BHP).
Therapist II must have permanent associate-level licensure with the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners.
Therapist III must have permanent independent-level licensure with the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners.
Must be at least 21 years of age.
Current, unrestricted Arizona driver’s license, with no more than two minor moving violations or one accident within the past three years.
Three years of driving experience.
Transportation for daily visits, trainings, and other work-related activities; organizational vehicles may not always be available.
Must pass a criminal background check before employment and regular checks throughout employment.
Ability to obtain and maintain an Arizona DPS Level 1 fingerprint clearance card; employer provides it.
CPR and First Aid certification; employer provides it.
Complete the Competency Checklist satisfactorily within three months of hire.
Strong clinical knowledge of development across the lifespan and best practices for working with diverse populations with trauma backgrounds.
Extensive knowledge of managed care systems, AHCCCS/Title XIX medical assistance screening, and ADHS policies and practices.
Knowledge of the current DSM and relevant diagnoses for the population served.
Ability to accurately read, record, and interpret information, including assessments, measures, and diagnostic criteria.
Clinical competency consistent with the standards for the position.
Excellent verbal, interpersonal, and written communication skills.
Strong organizational, time-management, project-management, multitasking, and problem-solving abilities; detail-oriented.
Skill using business software and electronic health records, with a high level of computer proficiency.
Knowledge of cultural differences and their implications for appropriate services.
Knowledge of Arizona’s behavioral health system.
Professional appearance, communication, and conduct.
Ability to lift normal office equipment and materials up to 25 pounds.
Visual acuity to read computer screens and forms and assess members’ wellbeing; verbal communication ability with members and emergency personnel; hearing ability for in-person, telephone, and electronic communication; and manual dexterity for typing and writing.
Ability to stoop, squat, reach, pull, push, stretch, ascend and descend stairs, and stand and sit for long periods.
May be required to work additional hours or days depending on circumstances.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual in Spanish.

Responsibilities

Assess members’ behavioral health needs and develop therapy treatment goals at least every 180 days.
Administer screeners and standardized tests based on clinical need.
Schedule therapy sessions and obtain required treatment and licensure consents.
Review charts to ensure assessments and treatment plans are current and to monitor progress between sessions.
Develop treatment team recommendations for follow-up support and services.
Provide substance-use assessments and therapy related to treatment and recovery when serving in the applicable addiction-counselor role.
Maintain timely clinical records in accordance with standards.
Provide crisis assessment and intervention, including arranging emergency psychiatric evaluation or hospitalization when indicated.
Assess and diagnose using ICD-10, DC 0-5 for children from birth to age five, and DSM-5-TR for children and adults, as applicable.
Meet productivity standards for therapists.
Complete progress notes using appropriate covered-service billing codes and prepare comprehensive, timely reports as required by funding sources or system partners.
Participate in additional clinical training as a Therapist II.
Conduct training and mentor or provide shadowing to newer therapists as a Therapist III.
Accept referrals for commercial and self-pay populations as a Therapist III.
Participate in ongoing professional development and meetings.
Maintain comprehensive communication with agency contacts, members, and external agencies.
Model professional standards and ethics in accordance with the EBF Code of Conduct, Strategic Plan, Mission, and Vision.
Perform other duties as assigned.