Behavioral Health Clinician - Middletown Site

Behavioral Health Clinician IIThe Behavioral Health Clinician II is a licensed independent provider who performs diagnostic psychosocial evaluations, develops care plans with clients and their families, offers individual, family, or group therapy as appropriate, collaborates with psychiatric and/or medical providers who are part of the client's care team, and documents all clinical interventions in accordance with CHC policy, Joint Commission standards, and state regulatory expectations. The position is primarily focused on direct client care but may include supervision of unlicensed staff and/or students.Clinical responsibilities include completing initial behavioral health evaluations; individual, group, and family psychotherapy with children and/or adults in an outpatient clinic. The clinician will be expected to run at least five (5) groups for each week of direct clinical work. They will practice as part of an interdisciplinary, inter-professional team, accepting "warm hand offs" from primary care providers and other members of the health care team as well as reaching in to the patient population to identify patients potentially in need of behavioral health services as flagged by the BH clinical dashboard. The clinician will consult with providers within and outside the agency regarding the treatment plan and progress of the patients. They will share in the Behavioral Health On-Call for after-hours coverage and daily clinic call. The clinician will coordinate as needed with psychiatric consultants for diagnostic and consultative needs; refer as necessary for medication management. They will attend clinical Team Meetings as assigned and Component Meetings Clinically supervise unlicensed Behavioral Health staff as assigned. They will meet productivity standards as outlined annually during employees performance appraisal review with a focus on quality clinical care. The clinician will encourage clients to express their feelings and discuss what is happening in their lives, helping them to develop insight into themselves or their relationships. They will perform crisis interventions with clients, assess for immediate safety concerns, including high risk patients/clients who may be at risk for homicide, suicide, and domestic violence. The clinician will guide clients in the development of skills or strategies for dealing with identified goals. They will develop and implement treatment plans based on clinical experience and knowledge according to state regulatory and joint commission standards. The clinician will evaluate the effectiveness of ongoing treatment on clients' progress in resolving identified problems and moving towards defined objectives. They will modify treatment activities or approaches, as needed, to comply with changes in clients' status. The clinician will discuss with individual patients their plans for life after leaving therapy. They will work with and support family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, or supporting clients or patients. The clinician will maintain awareness within discipline about new developments in the field and gather information about community mental health needs or resources that could be used in conjunction with therapy.Administrative responsibilities include completing all documentation required by state regulations, Joint Commission standards, and CHC Behavioral Health department by laws in a timely manner, including intake, prior authorization request, progress notes, treatment plan documentation, and discharge. The clinician will complete and lock all treatment notes no later than the end of the next business day. They will complete reports as required for outside agencies such as DCF, Family Relations, probation, and others with appropriate releases signed by clients. The clinician will participate as a member of agency wide committees as assigned.Qualifications include a Ph.D./Psy.D, LCSW, LPC, or LMFT degree, licensed in the State of Connecticut, minimum of two years of experience with outpatients including experience with children and/or adults. Reliable access to an automobile or reliable access to transportation to outside agency consults, meetings, and home visits is required. Written and oral bilingual fluency in language spoken by patient population (for example, English/Spanish) is preferred.Physical requirements include a combination of sustained periods of sitting at keyboard, walking, and stair climbing. Minimal lifting and carrying activities are required. The clinician must be available to work one evening and one Saturday per month.Communication skills include excellent oral and written communication skills. This position must interface with patients, family members, community agencies, and other providers within the organization. Confidentiality of information is a requirement. Full access to patient medical records and encounter data is required. Confidentiality must be maintained according to CHC policies.Location: Community Health Center of Middletown, City: Middletown, State: Connecticut, Time Type: Full time