Behavioral Health Therapist (OPS-El Cajon)

Behavioral Health Therapist

Are you interested in working in a fast-paced, challenging behavioral healthcare organization? Are you interested in a position that is rewarding and makes a difference in the lives of others? Do you like to be challenged and work in a setting that allows you to grow? Then Alvarado Parkway Institute wants to hear from you!

Alvarado Parkway Institute is currently seeking a qualified individual to join our team as a Behavioral Health Therapist at our El Cajon Outpatient location. The Behavioral Health Therapist is responsible for providing quality case management and psychotherapeutic services to the adult psychiatric patients who are participating in the OPS program and to their families and members of their social support network; to serve as a member of an interdisciplinary team supporting the organization's treatment program and philosophy; and to assure the deliverance of quality treatment to adult psychiatric patients and their families.

Behavioral Health Therapist Responsibilities:

• Familiarity in developing treatment plans, self-harm intervention plans.
• Conducting psycho-social assessments
• Establish and maintain a good rapport and working relationships to foster intra and inter-departmental communications necessary for the delivery of quality patient care; responds to requests for information from patients, families, and caregivers; provides directions as necessary; reflect the confidentiality of patient and organization information; communicates pertinent information as necessary by telephone and/or writing.
• Provides individual and group psychotherapy, psycho education and where appropriate, family counseling to facilitate patient attainment goals; makes use of recognized, effective interventions; provides crisis intervention as needed; adheres to billing and documentation guidelines.
• Completes psycho-social assessments as well as other required assessments and screenings to document relevant patient history and identify preliminary issues for treatment focus by interviewing the patient and family member(s) of support network.
• Develop and coordinate individualized treatment plans for the patient based upon physician order; patient-derived data, treatment team recommendation, records of previous treatment/chart review, and ancillary sources (e.g., family members, etc.); identify and assess community-based resources to facilitate development of concurrent, ancillary support; identify and develop appropriate discharge plans based upon patient need, treatment team recommendation(s), and available resources.
• Attend regular treatment team meetings to provide Behavioral Health Therapist perspective to total case management of the patient by reading and discussing written program notes from charts and communicating any state or local agency legal requirements for case management with the interdisciplinary team.
• Complete all mandatory third-party notifications per organizational policies and procedures and community/legal requirements; represent facility in any legal proceedings.
• Display cultural sensitivity with regards to patients and staff.
• Provide appropriate referrals to inpatient and/or outpatient settings; complete or assist in the completion of assessments to facilitate from one level of care to another.
• Participate in activities that enhance professional growth and development.
• Perform all other related tasks as required.

Required Education, Experience, and Certifications:

• Master's degree in social work, MFT, psychology, or equivalent master's degree in a recognized mental health field.
• Must be licensed eligible.
• Registration/license with the Board of Behavioral Sciences or Board of Psychology required.

Preferred Education, Experience, and Certifications:

• Experience in outpatient or inpatient setting preferred.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Accident Insurance, Hospital plan & Critical Illness Plan
• Dental & Vision
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employee Referral Bonus Plan
• Flexible spending accounts (FSA)
• Legal Assistance Plan
• Life insurance
• Medical (Employee and dependent contributions)
• PDO (Paid Days Off)
• Short Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Sick time

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, this position is frequently required to do the following:

• Use standard office equipment and access, input, and retrieve information from a computer.
• Use computer keyboard with manual and finger dexterity and wrist-finger speed sufficient to perform repetitive actions efficiently for extended periods of time.
• Communicate effectively in person or via telephone in a manner which can be understood by those with whom the person is speaking, including a diverse population.
• Give and follow verbal and written instructions with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Perform complex mental functions and basic arithmetic functions; interpret complex laws, regulations, and policies; collect, interpret, and/or analyze complex data and information.
• Vision sees details of objects at close range.
• Coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Reach forward, up, down, and to the side.
• Sit or stand for minimum periods of one hour at a time and come and go from the work area repeatedly throughout the day.
• Walk and/or stand for long periods of time (3/4 of the workday).

Conditions of Employment:

In compliance with API's policies and guidelines, all API employees are required to adhere to the following:

Background/Reference Check & Licensure/Certification

• Completion of a satisfactory background and reference checks.
• Employee signed employment non-compete/confidentiality agreement
• Individuals whose position may require licensure, registration or certification must maintain such as current and valid. It is the employee's responsibility to send updated copies to Human Resources before the expiration date. It is the employee's responsibility to notify Human Resources of any changes or proposed changes in status to licensure, registration, or certification. Failure to do so could result in employee suspension.

Covid-19 and Flu Vaccinations; Medical

• Provide a copy of COVID-19 Vaccination OR have an Exemption Request (Deferred Pregnancy, Medical, or Religious) approved by the API HR Director; and those who have an approved Exemption must undergo weekly COVID-19 testing and observe all other infection control requirements, including face coverings.
• Annual Flu vaccination is required as a condition of hire and ongoing employment. Only those who are allergic to the vaccine or meet contraindications as indicated on the current CDC Vaccine Information Statement shall be exempt from this condition of hire and ongoing employment but are required to wear a mask while inside an API owned or operated building or vehicle during influenza season, Employees must provide physician documentation to support any reported allergy or contraindication. Flu season typically runs between November and March.
• Pass drug and alcohol test performed by Concentra.
• Clear TB skin test or Chest X-Ray at Concentra.
• Complete a satisfactory physical examination at Concentra designed solely to determine your ability to perform the duties of the position being offered.

EEO Statement

API provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.