Mental Health Associate Therapist

About the role

The Associate Therapist works in a dynamic multidisciplinary team providing treatment services according to the Discovery Clinical Model.

Responsibilities

• Ensures clinical documentation is completed timely throughout the course of treatment at the time of service.
• Establishes therapeutic rapport with patients and families/loved ones.
• Facilitates admission assessments and the admission process for new patients with professionalism, courtesy, and a welcoming attitude.
• Participates in weekly treatment team meetings and communicates weekly treatment goals with all team members.
• Maintains a caseload of 5-6 patients in Residential Treatment Center (RTC) and 10-15 in Outpatient (OP) level of care.
• Completes the appropriate number of therapy sessions assigned weekly for patients, including family/support system sessions aligned with the patients' level of care.
• Facilitates process-oriented and psychoeducational groups 1-2 times daily in RTC and 2-4 times daily in OP.
• Sits at a meal and/or snack a minimum of once per week.
• Facilitates multi-family groups, family programs, and/or family weekends.
• Provides utilization reviews to insurance companies to obtain initial authorization and continuing stay authorization.
• Returns all calls and emails from family members or loved ones within 2 hours during business hours and 24-48 hours at other times.
• Assesses patients for suicidality and the possibility of danger to self or others.
• Begins discharge planning on the day of admission for all patients.
• Completes discharge sessions with patients to ensure coping skills, transition plans, and resources are understood.
• Ensures discharge appointments are confirmed with patients and loved ones prior to discharge.
• Communicates with referral sources and outpatient providers for continuity of care upon admission, midpoint, and discharge.
• Facilitates patient transfers to a higher level of care, as needed.
• Actively participates in clinical outreach and program tours, as needed.
• Effectively manages crises in sessions and the milieu.
• Provides support to milieu staff in their interactions with patients and their loved ones.
• Works collaboratively with the entire treatment team and milieu staff to ensure the highest level of clinical quality.
• Provides on-call support to the facility at least once per month (RTC only) and returns all program phone calls within 20 minutes while on call.
• Communicates appropriately with the On-Call Administrator or Regional Director regarding pertinent facility issues while on call.
• Completes other tasks as requested or assigned.

Requirements

• Master's or Doctorate degree in a relevant field.
• Completion of state requirements to conduct therapeutic interventions.
• Operates under supervision and is not fully licensed.
• Must possess a current driver's license and be in good standing.

Schedule

Full-time, Monday-Friday, with shifts available from 8:30 AM–4:30 PM or 11:00 AM–7:00 PM.

Pay

Pay range: $55,000–$77,000 annually.

Work Location

On-site in Austin, TX.