Mental Health Therapist III

Mental Health Therapist III Or Licensed – New Journeys First Episode Psychosis ProgramSea 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.We are seeking a mental health clinician for our New Journeys First Episode Psychosis (FEP) program out of our Lynnwood Sea Mar clinic. FEP is an evidence-based model of care. Full-time position available for a MH Therapist III or Licensed MH Therapist for our Behavioral Health Program in Lynnwood. The position does require some community-based services.The MHT will be work within a team of 5 in assessing/treating individuals experiencing their First Episode Psychosis (FEP) within an early intervention model. This clinician will receive training using one of the leading evidence-based practices shown to improve prognosis within this population. Must be recovery-oriented, experienced Masters level clinician. Role will include assisting clients in identifying and developing recovery goals, learn about psychosis and skills for managing it, developing coping skills for stressful situations and persistent symptoms, and addressing challenges related to achieving their recovery goals. It is desirable (but not required) that the mental health clinician have a background in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) skills, such as social skills training, cognitive restructuring, behavioral activation, coping skills training, relaxation training, and psychoeducation. Experience with adolescents and young adults is an advantage, but not required.As a mission-driven organization, the core values of, and the services offered at Sea Mar are based on the belief that everyone deserves to be respectfully treated in a way that preserves dignity and enhances self-worth. Sea Mar is an advocate for its clients and aims to achieve industry-leading, client-centered, culturally-aware services. Sea Mar employees serve as an extension of this mission and demonstrate their commitment to an excellent client experience by:Understanding and empathizing with client needsSurpassing client expectationsDemonstrating a high level of integrityExhibiting compassion and commitmentAdvocating for social justiceTaking pride in individual work as well as that of the teamContinually learning to stay current with industry standards, best practices and technology.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.ADMINISTRATIVE• Assists in ensuring 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 Director.• 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 Director.• 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. Provide 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, prevents splitting between staff and patients, and offers concrete ideas on handling challenging situations.This position requires visits in the community.PRODUCTIVITY STANDARD• Performs a minimum of 80 hours of face-to-face contact and 80 encounters each month.QualificationsTo 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 Washington State Patrol 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• 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.• Up to three (3) years' experience in the field.• Minority mental health therapist as required by WAC.• 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 90 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.Work EnvironmentThe work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Additional evening/weekend hours may be required to fulfill the duties of this position.Physical RequirementsThe physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, and sit. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and