Outpatient Therapist

Job Description

Job Description

Description : FULL TIME

Salary : Based on Experience

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES : The position is primarily responsible for the provision of direct client care services and some community services. This person serves as a “generalist” and provides a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic services to a varied client population, including adults and children with severe mental disabilities, based upon agency need. The Outpatient Therapist is a professional position reporting directly to the Supervisor or the Clinical Director in the assigned office. The level of supervision will be determined by 1) license requirements, 2) provider standards, and 3) assessed level of performance skill.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES :

1. Evaluate client needs for services in regard to appropriateness of request, urgency and recommended action, and facilitates all necessary referrals.

2. Conduct and write diagnostic assessments according to VCS policies and procedures in order to assess the nature of the problem and establish medical necessity as well as other relevant health, social and mental health factors.

3. Develop and implement Individual Service Plans with the client based upon the findings of the diagnostic assessment.

4. Provide psychotherapy / counseling services to clients and significant others through individual, group, and / or family methods according to current professional standards of care.

5. Review and update ISPs, progress, and diagnoses on a scheduled basis to insure continued provision of proper and necessary services, and modify the plan of treatment when appropriate.

6. Provide Community Support Program Services as defined in OAC 5122-29-17.

7. Enter and maintain daily schedule into computer as required.

8. At a minimum, achieve and maintain the Agency’s established productivity standards.

9. Provide crisis intervention, pre-hospital screening, and / or emergency services on a priority basis “as needed.”

10. Make referrals to other services within the community and within the Agency as indicated.

11. Attend and participate in staff meetings, in-service training, supervision, various committees as assigned including Performance Improvement, workshops, and other meetings to receive information and instructions as well as to remain current and accurate on procedures, policies, and techniques. Serve on committees designed to develop / review policies and procedures.

12. Participate in assigned community service activities including talks and speeches.

13. Consult, collaborate, and communicate in a timely and accurate manner all client-related issues and concerns internally to VCS staff and externally to other agency service providers, schools, law enforcement agencies, courts, etc. in the provision of services to clients and to the community to ensure coordination of care.

14. Serve other departments, programs, and / or service locations, on a full or part-time basis, as needed and as assigned.

15. Complete all documentation, including consumer outcomes, in a legible and timely manner according to the policies of VCS and the Ohio Department of Mental Health and provide necessary data for statistical and billing purposes.

16. Maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and make every attempt to resolve work-related difficulties with the co-worker in a timely fashion.

17. Communicate all concerns and questions regarding the program functioning and client care to the immediate supervisor.

18. Maintain current knowledge of all applicable VCS policies and procedures and function according to these standards.

19. This position may provide clinical services to dual diagnosis clients if the provider is qualified by declared competency in drug and alcohol counseling, certification in drug and alcohol counseling or with supervision of a CCDC-III.

20. May be assigned to after-hours on-call rotation.

21. Participate on VCS committees as assigned.

22. Perform other assigned and related duties specific and customary to the department in which they are assigned.

23. Complies with agency policies and procedures, COA regulations, federal and state requirements, and educational / certification / registry requirements.

Requirements : QUALIFICATIONS :

1. The Outpatient Therapist is required to have the following skills : clinical interview methods; individual, family, and group counseling methods.

2. Knowledge and techniques for facilitating personality / behavior change.

3. Capacity for collecting, organizing, and reporting data in order to reach valid clinical conclusions.

4. Ability to develop and implement treatment plans.

5. Skills in crisis intervention and emergency services.

6. Specialized knowledge of the mental health field.

7. Knowledge in the implementation of current applicable diagnostic standards.

8. The ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

9. The ability to establish and maintain clinically effective relationships with clients and their significant others.

10. The ability to function as part of an organization by working with others and by adhering to established policies and procedures.

11. This position requires training in First Aid, CPR and De-escalation techniques.

12. The ability to function in a host setting and the ability to work comfortably and effectively in the client’s natural environment.

13. Must have valid Ohio Driver’s License, reliable transportation and meet agency requirements for driving insurability.

14. Must be able to meet agency requirements for criminal back ground check (Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation).

MINIMUM EDUCATIONAL / LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS : The position requires a Master’s Degree in Social Work or Counseling from an accredited university. Must be licensed as an LPC / LPCC or LSW / LISW or must have completed all course work and passed examinations for LPC.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS : Be knowledgeable of and adhere to all pertinent federal, state, and local laws, standards of the Ohio Department of Mental Health, and appropriate professional ethical standards.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS : Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs.