Therapist Acute, BayPointe

About the Role

The Children's Residential Services Program serves children and adolescents ages 5 to 18 who are experiencing severe emotional or behavioral disturbance. These children have not responded successfully to multiple less restrictive treatment interventions. BayPointe offers a caring, structured environment and developmentally appropriate therapeutic services 24 hours a day. The program supports families or caregivers to maintain, enhance, or develop attachment with their child/adolescent during treatment and throughout the discharge process.

Children and adolescents diagnosed with co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse disorders receive care in a special mental illness-substance abuse service track. Consumers, families, caregivers, school system personnel, DHR workers, and others are directly involved in the consumer’s treatment and discharge planning. The goal is to improve each child’s or adolescent’s level of functioning and to discharge to a less restrictive treatment setting. The program primarily serves residents of south Alabama but considers referrals from across the state.

As a Therapist in this hospital acute setting, you will provide individual, group, and family therapy, formulate treatment plans, behavioral management plans, and conduct clinical assessments. You will respond to crisis situations to help deescalate and resolve them, as well as assist with seclusion and restraint as required.

Responsibilities

• Utilizes assessment data to support a DSM V, DSM IV-TR, or DSM IV diagnosis.
• Provides effective clinical assessment of the consumer.
• Delivers individual, group, family, and play therapy using basic therapeutic models and theories according to consumer needs as stated in the treatment plan.
• Formulates appropriate treatment plans with the consumer and family/guardian, as appropriate.
• Acts as a team leader providing clinical direction and training to behavioral staff.
• Assists with seclusion and restraint as required, per AltaPointe policy and procedure.
• Formulates and oversees implementation of appropriate behavior management plans.
• Evaluates the consumer for discharge planning or movement to a less restrictive environment and arranges such services, as needed.
• Demonstrates the ability to recognize the elements of a crisis state and knows how to deescalate or resolve the situation.
• Effectively collaborates with treatment team members and outside sources in the delivery of clinical services.
• Assists in approving movies, television programs, etc., as appropriate to program guidelines.
• Ensures that certification/program standards and objectives are met.
• Participates in late night, weekend, and holiday therapist rotation providing group and family counseling, crisis intervention, and overseeing on-site consumer visitation facility-wide (if applicable).
• Adheres to professional code of ethics.
• Documents in a timely fashion per AltaPointe policy.
• Documents appropriate, complete, and clinically comprehensive mental health assessments.
• Documents in a clear and concise manner the types of consumer problems, treatment goals addressed, services, and techniques used.
• Effectively manages caseload based on consumer needs.
• Maintains current license and requirements for renewals (e.g., CEUs), if applicable, and attends regular workshops and in-services.
• Seeks clinical supervision and consultation as needed.
• Accepts and employs suggestions for improvement.
• Actively works to enhance clinical skills.
• Documents measurable and specific goals in the treatment plan.
• Documents case disposition, case closings, follow-up, and referrals.
• Documents legibly.
• Meets AltaPointe productivity standards.
• Treats consumers with care, dignity, and compassion.
• Respects consumer’s privacy and confidentiality.
• Is pleasant and cooperative with others.
• Assists consumers and visitors as needed.
• Personal values don’t inhibit ability to relate and care for others.
• Is sensitive to the consumer’s needs, expectations, and individual differences.
• Is gentle and calm with consumers and families.
• Actively participates in Performance Improvement activities.
• Actively participates in AltaPointe committees as required.
• Completes assigned tasks in a timely manner.
• Accesses appropriate community resources according to consumer needs.
• Follows AltaPointe policies and procedures.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in a mental health discipline.

Physical Requirements

• Frequent standing, sitting, and walking in bursts of 5 to 10 minutes; extended pacing with consumers may be required.
• Occasional forward bending from the hips while kneeling to reach to the side.
• Occasional need to assume a full squat/lunge from a standing position.
• Occasional need to maintain back extension while on stomach with body weight on hips and legs for several minutes.
• Occasionally, support body weight on one knee and one elbow on the same side of the body.
• Occasionally kneel and reach to the same side toward the floor.
• Lift up to 15 pounds from the floor to various levels, including overhead, occasionally during shift.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds to assist in activities of daily living, including from floor to waist.
• Strong grasp needed to use keys to open doors and maintain contact with a consumer during restraint procedures.
• Pushing/pulling force up to 25 pounds occasionally during shift.
• Ability to ambulate quickly (jog/run) for distances up to 50 feet.
• Carrying up to 15 pounds various distances throughout the facility.
• Occasional step ladder climbing to retrieve medical records.
• Fine manipulation/dexterity to handle medical records and complete documentation.
• Therapy may occur inside or outside the facility, requiring physical engagement in activities or games.