Mental Health Therapist - FIT Team - $10,000 Hiring Bonus

Job Description

Job Description

Primary Function 

Provide comprehensive clinical assessments and treatment services for patients with mental health and substance abuse disorders who are Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indian (EBCI) and Indian Health Services (IHS) eligible. Provide clinical screening and comprehensive clinical assessment, treatment plan development, and provision of individual, group, and family therapy using evidence-based models. Employee will also provide referral/facilitation to higher levels of care, walk-in assessment, emergency, crisis intervention, and consultation and education services as needed. Serve individuals in various locations in the community as assigned. If assigned to a specific population or agency location, the employee will follow policies and procedures developed for that unit. This position will primarily serve adults but may see children and families.

Job Description 

• Provide services to EBCI and other eligible persons, including comprehensive clinical assessments, treatment planning, individual, group, and family therapy, and case management 
• Provide group therapy, which may include: SAT, SAIOP, MAT Groups, Seeking Safety, Trauma Groups, Grief Group, DBT, CBT, EFT, DV groups, and other groups related to client needs.
• Working in collaboration with the treatment team, conduct a comprehensive clinical assessment to determine patients' needs and resources (both family and community support/resources).
• Collaborate with the medical staff and other health professionals/agencies in developing a viable therapeutic team network to facilitate and establish patterns of cooperative efforts and to facilitate patient care, discharge, and follow-up.
• Provide counseling to patients and their families in matters directly related to patient care. 
• Develop and implement discharge plans, follow-up care, and transfers to other behavioral health facilities 
• Responsible for comprehensive clinical assessment, development of treatment plan, recommendations for intervention, supervision of treatment plan implementation, and case management referral.
• Participate in clinical treatment team meetings to review data and adjust treatment plans as needed for client care.
• Responsible for conducting individual and family therapy sessions for identified behavioral health and substance use issues.
• Provide walk-in access to services. Triage clients to determine priority, emergent, urgent, routine, and work with the team to ensure the client is served promptly. 
• Adhering to ASAM criteria when referring a client to the appropriate level of care for substance use services.
• Depending upon location of services, maintain knowledge of all policies and procedures relevant to respective location; i.e., Cherokee Tribal Justice Center, Snowbird and Murphy Clinics, Analenisgi Inpatient, Analenisgi Outpatient, and Primary Care clinic.
• When appropriate, participate as a member of the Cherokee Tribal Drug Court Team and provide updates, reports, and recommendations to the Drug Court team. 
• Assists with observed urine drug screens as outlined in Analenisgi's policies and procedures.
• Attend supervision sessions relevant to specific certifications, credentials, and/or licensure, such as but not limited to: LCSW, LCMHC, CDAC, LCAS, CCS.
• Collaborate with other agencies as advocates for clients.  Such programs may include the Family Safety Program, Tribal Court, Probation and Parole, and Drug Court.
• Follows the provisions contained in all applicable privacy/confidentiality policies, procedures, and practices for maintenance and release of patient records and clinical information, including EBCI, CIHA, IHS, DHHS, HIPAA, JCAHO, 42CFR, or other licensing bodies.
• Responsible for attending clinical staffing as an integral component of a treatment team, facilitating the discussion of patient data, and formulating changes to the treatment plan.
• Development of individual treatment plans. Treatment plans must be consistent with the patient's diagnosis, agency quality assurance guidelines, and level of care policies.
• Assists in attaining and maintaining accreditation by the Joint Commission of Health Care Organizations.
• Participates in department/program meetings to review and identify opportunities to improve the program and treatment provided, and recommends changes when problems are identified. This includes assisting with changes in policy and procedure, which would improve the care of service delivery.
• Assist and/or make direct referrals to a higher level of care. 
• Develop partnerships with community agencies and outside organizations to coordinate patient care.
• Timely record all treatment and clinically significant events in the medical record according to CIHA policies and procedures.
• Provides written, telephonic, and face-to-face consultation services to various persons and organizations involved in the patient’s care. These include schools, courts, probation officers, physicians, hospitals, medical care providers, law enforcement officers, social services, and community agencies. Regular progress reports are required for communicating with the court and judicial supervisors. Represent CIHA and the behavioral health program at regular team meetings for progress review and during emergency meetings dealing with high-risk situations.
• Participate in community planning and implementation of programs. This position is expected to meet the productivity standard established for this position. 
• Expected to obtain continuing education both through in-service training and through access to tuition payment for approved training seminars and workshops.
• Participates in on-call service rotation.
• Provides clinical care and support to identified patients in the other departments at Cherokee Indian Hospital.
• Covers other CIHA clinical locations when assigned i.e., Justice Center.
• Learn and effectively utilize an electronic medical record and other software required for operation in the CIHA system.
• This position is expected to provide sufficient billable/reimbursable services to achieve the 55% productivity standard established for this primary therapist position. 
• Operate in a support role as assigned in the Beauty for Ashes program and services
• Other duties as assigned.

Education/Experience/Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in the behavioral health field, such as Social Work, Psychology, Marriage & Family Therapy, or Counseling, required. Degree must be obtained from an accredited university that is accepted by the appropriate licensing agencies in NC.
• NC license LCSW, LPP, LCMHC, or LMFT. A provisional or associate license may be accepted.
• Must show competence in Substance Use either by licensure/certification from the NC Addictions Specialist Professional Practice Board or experience in substance abuse treatment. Specific positions may require licensure/certification from the NC Addictions Specialist Professional Practice Board.
• Must be approved for and maintain medical credentialing, upon hire
• Three years of diagnostic, therapeutic experience preferred.
• Specific experience working with Native Americans preferred.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.

Job Knowledge

• Knowledge of individual, group, and couples/family modalities with expertise in crisis intervention with individuals and families experiencing acute episodes of distress.
• Ability to ascertain the potential lethality of a situation and respond and refer accordingly.
• Ability to learn computerized treatment systems such as the Electronic Medical Record, RPMS, and ability to maintain records and files manually and on the computer.
• Displays originality and initiative to complete daily performance of tasks. 
• Knowledge of principles, techniques, and practices, and their application to complex casework, group work, and community problems.
• Knowledge of a wide range of medical, behavioral, and psychosocial problems and their treatment.
• Knowledge of governmental and private organizations and resources in the community.
• Knowledge of the laws, regulations, and policies that govern the program.
• Knowledge of medical terminology, disease processes, and their treatment as they relate to decisions regarding clinical interventions and appropriate therapies based on medical or psychological diagnosis. 
• Knowledge of substance use to include diagnostic criteria for Substance Use Disorders, methods of evaluation and assessment, impact of behavioral health issues on patients' ability to negotiate treatment recommendations, current treatment approaches, modalities of care, and substance use treatment programs and services available to patients.
• Skill in establishing rapport with a patient and in applying techniques of assessing psychological, behavioral, and psychosocial aspects of a patient's problems.
• Willingness to learn more about Cherokee culture/population and to have considerations for this when identified.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of the caseload and their families, other professional disciplines, and a variety of governmental and private resources and organizations in the community.
• Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely and to plan and execute work effectively.
• Ability to establish appropriate boundaries with clients and maintain professional ethics in all situations. 

Complexity of Duties

This position is responsible for assisting in maximizing the available resources to meet the behavioral health and substance use needs of the community. Must have the ability to interpret policy, laws, and regulations to make decisions. Duties require the application of clinical judgment and problem-solving skills in order to be effective. 

Supervision Received

Works under the direct guidance of the Adult Services Supervisor. Position must demonstrate considerable initiative and ability to work independently within applicable licensing regulations. Position must communicate effectively with supervisor to ensure alignment with organizational goals, mission, vision, and values. 

Responsibility for Accuracy

Failure to provide adequate clinical services or to properly manage and direct activities could result in poor client outcomes, delays in patient treatment, and negative patient and community relations. Ineffective health planning could have adverse effects on the health status of the community by limiting access to necessary resources. The accuracy of data and research is critical in the allocation of tribal resources. The employee is responsible for adhering to policy and procedure. 

Contact with Others

Interacts frequently with coworkers, hospital staff, patients, stakeholders, and other health professionals for the purpose of exchanging information, obtaining, or providing assistance. Serves on various local, community, and health committees, boards, and advisory councils, as appropriate. Tact, courtesy, and professional conduct are required to maintain positive working relationships. Utmost sensitivity and confidentiality is required when dealing with patients and families.

Confidential Data

The provision of medical care requires that the incumbent maintain strict confidentiality regarding all patient information. The employee will have access to patient records and highly confidential information and must function with utmost integrity to safeguard this information. The employee complies with EBCI policy on confidentiality of patient records, Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority Confidentiality policy, HIPAA, 42CFR, and other federal law requirements. Violations of confidentiality regulations may result in disciplinary action and other actions as allowed by federal regulations.  

Mental/Visual/Physical Environment

Job duties can be mentally and emotionally stressful at times, given the complexity of the duties. Close mental concentration and attention to detail are required. Physical activities require the ability to be mobile, sit, reach, bend, and be in front of groups and deliver training for extended periods. Some physical exertion and stamina are required, such as those required to transport training materials or to travel. Must be able to lift 30 lbs.  

• Position requires: stand (under 1/3 time); walk (under 1/3 time); sit (to 2/3 time)

Work Environment

The employee works primarily in a hospital, inpatient, or outpatient clinical environment but may be required to work at other offices and locations. The work environment involves moderate risks of exposure to infectious disease, radiation, electrical hazards, and irritant chemical and explosive gases. Employees must strictly adhere to OSHA guidelines and protocol for maintaining sterile conditions.

Some travel is required.  Infrequent overnight travel may be required for meetings or to attend training.  

Emergency Privileges

In the case of an emergency, any member of the Medical Staff, to the degree permitted by his/her license, shall be permitted to do everything possible to save a patient’s life or save a patient from serious harm, regardless of the individual’s clinical privileges. This shall be defined as those situations in which a delay could result in serious harm or death and in which a more qualified member is not immediately available.

Customer Service

Consistently demonstrates superior customer service skills to patients/customers by demonstrating characteristics that align with CIHA’s guiding principles and core values. Ensure excellent customer service is provided to all patients/customers by seeking out opportunities to be of service.