Behavioral Therapist - FT - LAPC - LPC - LMSW - LCSW

About the role

The Behavioral Therapist I is responsible for providing group, individual and family therapy services based on patient preferences and goals. The Behavioral Therapist I assesses the psychological, social, cultural, environmental and financial impacts on patient functioning, as well as determines disposition needs for each assigned patient. The Behavioral Therapist I individualizes care planning and collaborates with the clinical treatment team and post-acute partners to develop and implement identified patient goals and discharge planning needs. The Behavioral Therapist I evaluates and modifies patient care goals and initiates changes as needed. The Behavioral Therapist I utilizes crisis intervention, problem-solving and critical thinking in adapting services to the full range of age-specific populations, including adolescent and geriatric patients. The Behavioral Therapist I educates and uses advocacy skills to promote behavioral health awareness in the community and hospital setting.

Responsibilities

• Develops and updates Plan of Care in coordination with the patient's support persons and the interdisciplinary team members.
• Initiates psychosocial assessment and identifies treatment goals with patient on the first treatment day.
• Plans and updates interventions in response to ongoing clinical assessment.
• Maintains a safe therapeutic environment, both physically and emotionally.
• Documents all clinical contact and service coordination in the EHR on the day it occurs.
• Coordinates discharge planning for assigned patients to ensure appropriate continuity of care upon discharge.
• Assists the patient and support persons in understanding the discharge and safety risks during and after transition to lower level care.
• Completes a detailed safety plan and emergency contact actions.
• Works with the inter-disciplinary team to ensure that discharge needs are met and documented in the EHR.
• Ensures appropriate transportation needs are fulfilled and provides support for difficult discharge needs including assistance to immigrants that require placement outside the USA.
• Demonstrates clinical competency in the provision of individual, group and family sessions to ensure effective treatment and a safe therapeutic milieu.
• Begins and ends all psychotherapy and psycho-educational sessions according to unit schedules and adheres to curriculum.

Requirements

• Licensure or other certifications: Licensure at Associate level required within twelve (12) months of hire. Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) II also acceptable.
• Educational Requirements: Master's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling or other related field that meets the requirements for licensure in the state of Georgia or meets the requirements for Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC II) accepted.

Qualifications

• Minimum Experience: At least one (1) year interview and assessment experience with patients having psychiatric, emotional, or chemical dependency problems.

Skills

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills as evidenced by the ability to work collaboratively with the healthcare team.
• Knowledge of post-acute community resources and linkage for funding, housing and multi-agency coordination of care.
• Skilled at facilitating counseling sessions for group, individuals, and families.
• Conversant with best practices of professional conduct.
• Demonstrates psychosocial assessment skills and executes appropriate treatment planning and discharge disposition and referrals.
• Demonstrates ability to work with diverse cultural and age-specific populations.

Benefits

Northeast Georgia Health System offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, and retirement savings options. Employees also have access to wellness programs, flexible spending accounts, and generous paid time off.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $45,000 - $55,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications.

Schedule

The Behavioral Therapist I works a 9-hour morning - evening shift.