Associate Therapist

Job Description

The Associate Therapist at Sierra Health and Wellness is responsible for treating, assessing, monitoring, and developing a comprehensive plan to meet the needs of clients while in treatment for chemical and alcohol abuse and dependency. This role involves providing ongoing direct client care through weekly individual and group therapy, responding to immediate clinical needs, and participating in multidisciplinary treatment planning.

• Provides individual, group, and family therapy services.
• Affirms the dignity and respect of all clients.
• Maintains confidentiality in accordance with legal standards and county regulations.
• Participates in collaborative treatment with representatives of other agencies.
• Responds to clinical emergencies and acute client needs.
• Attends conferences, workshops, and training to maintain current awareness of mental health and SUD methodologies and issues.
• Operates a personal computer and other office equipment.
• Communicates effectively with others in person and over the telephone.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions. Performs professional mental health and substance use disorder services with clients in treatment for chemical and alcohol abuse and dependency. Provides individual, group, and family therapy services. Assesses and monitors client’s progress and behavior while in treatment. Participates in multidisciplinary treatment planning and aftercare planning. Responds to clinical emergencies and acute client needs. Responds to client complaints in an efficient and timely manner. Records noteworthy events involving clinical services and client activities in the electronic medical record. Reviews client chart for completion of all paperwork with appropriate signatures; may complete weekly audits.

Competencies

• Principles, procedures, techniques, trends of clinical and casework services, therapy, and treatment.
• Social aspects and characteristics of mental and emotional disturbances and substance use disorders.
• Principles of mental health and substance use disorder education.
• A wide variety of therapeutic and treatment approaches for persons with mental and emotional problems.
• Scope, availability, and activities of community resources, including other mental health and social service agencies.
• Current trends in mental hygiene, mental health, public health, and social services, including State and Federal programs in these areas.
• Expert communication skills and counseling abilities.

Physical Demands

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

Work Environment

• Office and Health care setting with clients and other employees present.
• Working indoors primarily and outdoors occasionally.
• Working in close proximity to others.
• May walk on slippery and uneven walking surfaces.
• Excessive continuous noise at times.
• Typical office and group counseling environment.
• Mostly indoor office environment with windows and lights.