Mental Health Counselor or Therapist | Behavioral Health

Job Summary

The Mental Health Counselor or Mental Health Therapist coordinates, plans and delivers the best psychotherapeutic approach for each patient. Provides clinical (only) supervision for day-to-day implementation of therapeutic strategies or milieu programming that carries out the treatment plan for each patient by a variety of staff including psychiatric technicians, LPNs, RNs, mental health counselors and discharge planners across the Center's continuum of care. Services are provided with the recognized standards of practice and the patient's Plan of Care. The Plan of Care is based on the initial and comprehensive assessments of patient/caregiver.

Essential Functions

• Provides individual, marital, family and group therapy within the scope of the inpatient unit
• Develops and implements an individualized treatment approach. Communicates with family to further the effectiveness of treatment plan.
• Collaborates with patient/family, multidisciplinary team, and physician to formulate a realistic plan that identifies goals, specific interventions, and resources to meet the patient's needs.
• Assesses patient's progress and modifies treatment plan accordingly.
• Develops and maintains positive partnerships with providers of mental health and social services in the community as appropriate to the needs and requirements of the patient on an ongoing basis.
• Maintains good communication and collaborative relationships with referring providers and other staff. Recommends additional referrals for patient as needed.
• Functions as a positive resource, communication coordinator, and role model for departmental staff. Maintains accessibility and visibility within the department.
• Assists patients to maintain their sense of competence, identity and autonomy.
• Demonstrates effective collaboration with community/regional services and hospital personnel while maintaining patient and family rights.
• Assists in discharge plan development, giving direction to discharge planner as needed.
• Completes discharge planning note/assessment within predetermined guidelines. Upon completion of assessment, recommendations are integrated into the treatment plan 95% of the time.
• All other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Education: Master's degree in Counseling, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy or related field
• Experience: 3+ years healthcare experience (preferred)
• Preferred certifications: Licensed Professional Counselor License – South Dakota Department of Social Services OR Certified Social Work Case Manager (CSWCM) - Accredited University or accredited training professionals OR Licensed Family and Therapist

Physical Requirements

Light work - Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work.

Pay

Starting Pay Rate Range: $28.74 - $39.53 (Mental Health Counselor - SD $28.74-$35.92, Mental Health Therapist - SD $31.62-$39.53). Determined by the knowledge, skills, and experience of the applicant.

Schedule

Requires the ability to work assigned schedules and hours as determined by the department. Employee Type: PRN. Scheduled Weekly Hours: 0.