Clinical Therapist, Behavioral Health Unit

About the role

A licensed Clinical Therapist provides counseling services to patients individually and/or in a group setting, utilizing clinical counseling principles, methods, or procedures to assist individuals in achieving their established goals as outlined in their individual treatment plans — resulting in outcomes consistent with becoming sober and/or healthier in personal, physical, social, and psychological wellbeing. This includes assessing and analyzing emotional conditions, exploring possible solutions, and developing and providing a treatment plan for mental and emotional adjustment or development and/or substance abuse disorder. The role may also include counseling, appraisal, consulting, supervision, administration, and referral. The therapist engages in the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders within the scope of all laws and regulations of the Virginia Department of Health Professions, and provides training supervision for students and registered counselor trainees as requested by the program or unit director (excluding supervision of the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders).

Responsibilities

• Provide counseling services to patients individually and/or in a group setting
• Utilize clinical counseling principles, methods, and procedures to assist individuals in achieving established treatment plan goals
• Assess and analyze emotional conditions, explore possible solutions, and develop and provide treatment plans for mental/emotional adjustment or substance abuse disorder
• Engage in diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders within the scope of Virginia Department of Health Professions laws and regulations
• Provide training supervision for students and registered counselor trainees (excluding supervision of diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders)
• Participate in discharge planning, arrange for follow-up care, and develop mechanisms for exchange of appropriate information with appropriate sources outside the hospital
• Ensure the provision of a robust therapeutic activities program that meets the needs and interests of patients and is directed toward restoring and maintaining optimal levels of physical and psychosocial functioning
• Provide robust comprehensive therapeutic activities consistent with each patient’s active treatment program

Requirements

• Master’s degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or an approved related field
• Two years of behavioral health experience
• Licensure by the Virginia Department of Health Professions as one of the following: Clinical Psychologist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner (LSATP), or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

Skills

• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of providing care to individuals who may be emotionally disturbed, socially dysfunctional, behaviorally disordered, suffer from mental illness and/or substance use disorders, and their families
• Thorough knowledge of ASAM (American Society of Addiction Medicine) standards and regulations and ability to apply ASAM criteria to each patient through documentation and their Individual Service Plan
• Thorough knowledge of community resources and human services networks
• Thorough knowledge of community-based behavioral health principles and evidence-based psychotherapeutic treatment techniques
• Thorough knowledge of the theories and techniques of counseling and crisis intervention
• Thorough knowledge of intake techniques and procedures; ability to evaluate and screen clients; ability to prepare adequate records and to report findings and data effectively in line with all ASAM regulations under the Department of Behavioral Health and Disability Services (DBHDS) regulations in the Commonwealth of Virginia
• Ability to solve problems within scope of responsibility
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers, physicians, clients and their families, associates, community partners, medical personnel, law enforcement, State and Federal agency representatives, and the general public
• Ability to monitor and evaluate the quality and appropriateness of social services furnished
• Knowledge of the rules and regulations of the Office of Human Rights (OHR) in the Commonwealth of Virginia

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage (subject to eligibility requirements)
• Additional wellness and retirement benefits