Mental Health Professional

$5000 Sign On Bonus

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE : Licensed Mental Health Professional

JOB CODE : MH090015 EEO Job Class :

CENSUS CODE : EEO Job Group :

FLSA STATUS :

REPORTS TO : Administratively / Operationally Health Services Administrator (HSA) or designee. Clinically Local Mental Health Lead

SUPERVISES : Mental Health Staff as Assigned

DATE CREATED : June, 2020

LAST REVISED : JOB SUMMARY :

JOB SUMMARY :

Under the direction of the Health Services Administrator (HSA), Program Manager (PM), or higher licensed health professional, the Licensed Mental Health Professional will be responsible for providing screening, diagnostic evaluations, and therapeutic interventions such as brief therapy using evidence-based practices to inmates in accordance with all applicable licensure standards as well as state and federal rules and regulations.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, EXPERIENCE AND LICENSING :

Education Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology or Other Related Mental Health discipline

Experience : One (1) or more years of experience in a Mental Health treatment program, preferably in a Correctional or Hospital setting

Licenses / Certifications

Unrestricted, current license in the State of practice e.g. LCSW, LMFT, LPC, LMHC, Psychologist - Must maintain all licensures, certifications, continuing educational requirements, etc.

Compliance

KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Triages and conducts intake evaluations and / or assessments for patients admitted to outpatient housing unit and / or referred by Security, Healthcare staff, and other Community sources and makes appropriate recommendations to the healthcare unit and security staff regarding the direction or required level of care
• Refer all inmates eligible for involuntary treatment to the appropriate health care provider for evaluation (e.g. local psychiatric prescriber, County Mental Health, and / or Emergency Room)
• Recommend special housing or special watch and / or observation to security staff based on clinical findingso Identify and conduct other essential treatment services such as, psychoeducational groups, substance abuse counseling, pre-release planning, and other transitional groups when appropriate
• Recommend and develop treatment plans to address the full scope of services that are clinically indicated for patients including but not limited to group and individual therapy, when appropriate for inmates on his / her caseload and ensure regular updates are completed in accordance with local policy
• When applicable, initiates involuntary hospitalization for patients who need to be transferred to an outside Mental Health facility and generate appropriate paperwork relevant to the hospitalization
• Assess for suicide risk and provide suicide prevention interventions and management techniques for high-risk inmates
• Conduct daily rounds and evaluations to assess the treatment needs of inmates that request or desire mental health services within the jail setting especially for those in segregation / separation units
• Address sick call requests and evaluate patients by obtaining biopsychosocial history, including current medication and consulting with other health care providers to consider continuing psychotropic medications.
• Also discuss ways to obtain mental health services while incarcerated
• Refer to prescribing providers when clinically indicated and coordinate closely with the Prescriber to ensure that patients requiring evaluation or re-evaluation for medication are seen in a timely manner with pertinent information to the patient’s clinical condition available.
• Encourage medication adherence and identify when patients are non-adherent to the prescribed regimen.
• Provide consultation to security and healthcare staff regarding inmates’ behaviors, safety concerns or other mental health concerns
• Provide linkage and / or discharge planning services when necessary or when appropriate
• Respond to and provide mental health crisis intervention in psychiatric emergencies as needed for the entire facility
• Oversee the clinical needs of patients on his / her caseload
• When applicable, participate in the treatment programming and planning discussion of challenging cases and follow-up to monitor compliance and outcomes.
• Attends regular treatment team multidisciplinary meetings, classification meetings, or other required administrative meetings
• Participates in CQI and QA studies and group sessions
• Monitors the clinical condition and treatment needs of Special Needs population (e.g. developmentally disabled, juveniles in adult facilities, Seriously Mentally Ill, etc.

in accordance with local policy and state and federal regulations

• Works effectively with all staff including security, healthcare, ancillary, and administrative staff
• Provide on-call services as needed
• Provide staff training on relevant mental health topics such as signs and symptoms of mental illness, management of mentally ill inmates, crisis intervention, suicide prevention, and related topics
• Document all findings in the patient’s health record providing written summaries of history, diagnosis and treatment course, and other documentation requirements as outlined by company and Facility policy
• Provide services in compliance with Facility and company Safety and Mental Health Policies and Procedures
• Participate in Peer Review activities and staff training
• May assist in the job shadow portion of the interview process of potential staff
• May assist in orientation and training of new employees
• Responsible for the performance evaluations and successful training of direct reports

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES :

• Excellent knowledge and use of computer and technology including but not limited to Microsoft office products.
• Strong ability to multi-task.
• Positive attitude with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Identifies problems in a timely manner and skillfully gathers and analyzes information then practically and creatively resolves problems.
• Maintains a professional attitude while communicating and speaking with colleagues, patients and clients at all times, maintains confidentiality, remains open to others’ ideas, and exhibits willingness to try new things.
• Speaks effectively and professionally, speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations and demonstrates group presentation skills.
• Develops professionally written communications, edits work for spelling and grammar, presents numerical data effectively, and can read and interpret written information.
• Prioritizes and plans work activities, uses time efficiently, and develops realistic action plans.
• Demonstrates accuracy thoroughness and monitors own work to ensure quality.
• Adapts to changes in the work environment, manages competing demands, and can deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Follows through with commitments, is consistently at work and on time, can be counted on by others, is continuously productive, follows instructions, responds to management direction, and solicits feedback to improve performance.
• Promotes and personally observes safety and security procedures, uses equipment and materials properly and takes necessary action to report incidences.
• Compliant with job applicable license(s) and / or certification(s), attends staff meetings and all required monthly, quarterly and annual trainings.

LEADERSHIP ABILITIES :

• Collaborates effectively with other staff including healthcare, custody, and ancillary staff.
• Fosters a cohesive, supportive work environment for fellow team members and patients served.
• Exercises critical thinking skills, evaluates circumstances, develops new approaches, considers alternative solutions and can make decisions under pressure.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND CONDITIONS :

Works in a clean well-lit environment with fluctuating temperatures. Requires substantial periods of work utilizing a computer, monitor, keyboard, and mouse.

• Requires lifting and carrying equipment and supplies weighing up to 35 pounds; requires pushing and pulling equipment and supplies weighing up to 75 pounds;
• requires walking and standing; requires sitting; requires the ability to negotiate stairs; requires the ability to lift patients in and out of bed, wheelchair, and / or stretcher;

requires the ability to reach or bend frequently; requires visual acuity and manual dexterity to operate equipment. Potential for exposure to blood and / or body substances and hazardous materials requiring observance of Standard Precautions and safe handling practices.

WORK ENVIRONMENT / TRAVEL :

This job primarily operates independently in a facility. This job is performed in a correctional facility, client site or counseling center including minimum, medium or maximum security levels.

Employees are exposed to some level of risk and / or harm by inmates including exposure to blood borne pathogens. Employee is expected to work in accordance with all security rules and regulations to minimize the risk of danger and / or harm to themselves or other employees.

This position may require travel depending on specific needs.

STATEMENT OF NON-INCLUSIVITY :

This job description is not to be construed as a complete listing of the duties and responsibilities that may be given to any employee.

The duties and responsibilities outlined in this position may be added to or changed when deemed appropriate and necessary by the person who is managerially responsible for this position.