Mental Health Therapist III

Sea Mar Community Health Centers, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) founded in 1978, is a community-based organization committed to providing quality, comprehensive health, human, housing, educational and cultural services to diverse communities, specializing in service to Latinos in Washington State. Sea Mar proudly serves all persons without regard to race, ethnicity, immigration status, gender, or sexual orientation, and regardless of ability to pay for services. Sea Mar's network of services includes more than 90 medical, dental, and behavioral health clinics and a wide variety of nutritional, social, and educational services. Position Summary Sea Mar is a mandatory COVID-19 and flu vaccine organization. The Mental Health Therapist provides diagnostic assessments, referrals for psychiatric services, case management in coordination with other teams or parties involved in treatment. In addition, the Mental Health Therapist provides individual counseling, crisis stabilization, suicide risk assessment and treatment plans, and leads groups. Assistance to the Program Manager in program development, policy and procedure development, compliance with WACs and RCWs, and other administrative tasks performed are as directed. This job description does not suggest or imply that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. The person in this position will be required to follow other instructions and to perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Other duties may be assigned. ADMINISTRATIVE Assists in insuring agency compliance with WAC's, RCW's, and other pertinent laws, regulations, and contracts. Assists in developing and implementing policies and procedures as directed by the Program Manager. Educates staff regarding the process for mental health service referrals and regarding "psycho educational topics (suicide risk assessment, behavior modification, etc.)" as directed by the Program Manager. Maintains documentation of mental health services, and follow through in patient charts. CLINICAL DUTIES Provides diagnostic assessments for each patient during the program. Documents outcomes, justifies diagnoses, and communicates with the primary Chemical Dependency Counselor regarding outcomes and recommendations. Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span. Able to identify and categorize each patient’s age-specific grouping of needs, such as those for infant, adolescent, or geriatric patients. Refers patients to psychiatric services as appropriate. Gathers record materials and background information as needed by the community mental health center (See Policies and Procedures). Attends session with the psychiatric service provider to insure accuracy of presentation and that identified needs are addressed. Provides monitoring regarding the effects of medications, and feedback to the psychiatrist regarding effects/side effects. Provides consultation to Sea Mar staff regarding mental health and behavioral issues; and develops treatment plans with staff to address emotional needs and behavioral problems identified for patients. Provides individual counseling, in coordination with other system as needed. Provides suicide risk assessment and develop treatment plans to address suicidal ideation or gestures. Uses case management as needed to provide follow through and build community support as follow through. Provides other crisis stabilization as needed. Gathers information regarding past mental health services to be used in the individual’s treatment plan development. Provides mental health services referrals to patients prior to or following admission, and exchanges information with outside service providers. Supports other staff regarding mental health needs of staff or patients. Maintains confidentiality, prevent splitting between staff and patients, and offer concrete ideas on handling challenging situations. PRODUCTIVITY STANDARD Performs a minimum of 80 hours of face-to-face contact and 80 encounters each month. Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. An understanding of the Behavioral Health Organization requirements. The ability to work effectively with all persons and groups with an open mind towards cultural differences and knowledge of cultures. The ability to accurately diagnose mental health issues and develop treatment plans based upon diagnoses. The ability to NOT diagnose behavioral problems as mental illnesses unless appropriate. An understanding of chemical dependency treatment and an ability to coordinate mental health services with chemical dependency treatment providers. Must complete an annual clinical competency test as a mental health therapist. The Mental Health Therapist must sign a permanent oath of confidentiality covering all patient related information. This person must pass a background check. LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization. MATHEMATICAL SKILLS Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs. REASONING ABILITY Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Education and Experience, Certificates, Licenses, Registrations, and Medical Screening Must hold a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in psychology, counseling, or social work which includes course-work in psychological diagnostics. Four or more years’ experience in the field. Must meet criteria of a Mental Health Professional (MHP). Must hold and maintain an active Washington State Agency Affiliated Counselor License (may be pending for up to 60 days if applied for within 7 days of being offered employment) or mental health Associate License (includes Marriage and Family Therapist, Mental Health Counselor, and Clinical Social Worker). ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS Must have and maintain a current TB test. Minority mental health therapist as required by WAC. This position must obtain Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR within 90 days of hire date and is required to maintain current BLS CPR throughout employment. Annual influenza vaccine required. Only exception is for employees with a medical or religious exemption approved by Administration. Employees with an approved medical or religious exemption must wear a mask at all time during the flu season. Hourly - Hourly Plan, 33.23 USD Hourly What We Offer Sea Mar offers talented and motivated people the opportunity to work in a dynamic and growing community health organization. Working at Sea Mar Community Health Centers is more than just a job, it’s a fulfilling career with opportunity for advancement. The fringe benefits surpass most companies. For example, Full-time employees working 30 hours or more, receive an excellent benefit package of: Medical Dental Vision Prescription coverage Life Insurance Long Term Disability EAP (Employee Assistance Program) Paid-time-off starting at 24 days per year + 10 paid Holidays. We also offer 401(k)/Retirement options and an exciting opportunity to work in a culturally diverse environment. Sea Mar is an equal opportunity employer. Please visit our website to learn more about us at #J-18808-Ljbffr 002 Sea Mar Community Health Center