THERAPIST (MA/MSW)

Outpatient Therapist

The Outpatient Therapist is responsible for providing support to the day-to-day operations of the Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient programs including, but not limited to: administrative functions, utilization review, assessment, discharge planning, group/individual therapy, case management, and other duties related to delivering a successful program.

Qualifications

Education: Master's Degree from an accredited college or university, in Social Work or a clinical related mental health field. Experience: Requires a minimum of two (2) years' experience in a psychiatric health care facility, with direct experience in family and group therapies, crisis intervention, and treatment skills; must have strong clinical assessment skills. Outpatient experience highly preferred. License: Must possess licensure in the State of CA as a LCSW, LMFT, or ACSW or AMFT. Additional Requirements: Thorough knowledge of The Joint Commission, OSHA, and state and federal regulatory requirements. CPR certification and successful completion of Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training. CPI Training may be obtained during new hire orientation.

Program Operations

Coordinate the process for determining and maintaining accurate legal processes for patients. Ensure Infection Control, Safety and Risk Management policies are consistently implemented on the unit. Process unusual occurrence reports, conduct investigations and corrective plans when needed. Coordinate performance improvement activities and is responsible for the effectiveness of the program quality management activities. Monitor medical records for appropriate documentation of care and effectiveness of the treatment plan. Evaluate the appropriateness of all medical/psychiatric emergency interventions performed in the program. Acts as the Patient Advocate for the facility. Responsible for preparing, compiling, and maintaining files and open outpatient records. Responsible for coordinating communication between staff, physicians, patients, families and other departments.

Professional Collaboration

Participate in designated task force meetings. Meet on a regular basis with the Director of Outpatient Services. Collaborate with Case Management to ensure patients receive timely, quality care. Attend annual mandatory in-service programs.

Job-Specific Accountabilities

Complete psychosocial assessments. Provide group therapy or co-lead groups. Provide individual/family therapy sessions and crisis intervention. Augment Inpatient Services as needed. Ensure timely and accurate delivery of clinical information to HMO/Insurance providers (PHP/IOP specific). Provide social work consultations to physicians, nurses, other hospital staff members, patients, patient's relatives and coordinate with community agencies as appropriate. Provides case management services to patients in PHP/IOP. Provides discharge planning services to PHP/IOP patients as needed. Attend appropriate meetings, workshops, and in-house trainings to maintain clinical skills and keep informed of community resources available. Respond to calls and requests made by hospital physicians, intake and assessment personnel, nurses and other staff as needed.

General Performance Accountabilities

Use time constructively and in an organized manner to accomplish assigned responsibilities, delegates duties to other personnel as appropriate, and demonstrates good judgment ability. Demonstrate a professional attitude and works collaboratively with physicians/licensed practitioners, staff, patients, visitors and allied health providers. Show evidence of ongoing education in health care management. Act as a behavioral model of procedural expertise to other staff members through demonstration, teaching and mutual consultation.

Specific Standards for the Care of Child Patients Ages 5 through 11

Maintain knowledge of the Child Program rules, protocols and handbooks guidelines. Maintain knowledge of children's stages of development and seek guidance from the nurse in charge when questions about the norms for behavior related to child development arise. Assess patients for behaviors consistent with the developmental stages and make note of any deviations in behavior. Recognize acting out behavior of child specific age group and set appropriate limits in clear, concise, behavioral and non-judgmental terms based on the age of the patient. Demonstrate an awareness of learning disabilities and translates treatment/program expectations to the learning disabled child. Relate to child patients in an age appropriate manner. Utilize seclusion and restraint procedures with an understanding of the need for modification in regard to smaller body sizes of children, abandonment issues and the history of physical and/or sexual abuse issue. Act as a resource to other staff in regard to the Child Patient Programs.

Specific Standards for the Care of Adolescent Patients Ages 12 through 18

Maintain knowledge of the Adolescent Program rules, protocols and handbooks guidelines. Assess patients for behaviors consistent with the developmental stages and makes note of any deviations in behavior. Recognize acting out behavior of adolescent specific age group and set appropriate limits in clear, concise, behavioral and non-judgmental terms based on the age of the patient. Demonstrate an awareness of learning disabilities and translates treatment/program expectations to the learning disabled adolescent. Relate to adolescent patients in an age appropriate manner. Utilize seclusion and restraint procedures with an understanding of the need for modification in regard to smaller body sizes of adolescents, abandonment issues and the history of physical and/or sexual abuse issue. Act as a resource to other staff in regard to the Adolescent Patient Programs.

Specific Standards for the Care of Adult Patients Ages 19 through 64

Gather information from the patient, family and interdisciplinary team and use judgements based on knowledge of adult behaviors in treatment planning and interventions. Recognize behaviors and set appropriate limits in clear, concise, behaviors and non-judgmental terms. Utilize seclusion/restraint procedures applicable to adult body size and past history of violent or emotional behaviors. Maintain current knowledge of the Adult Program rules, protocols and handbook guidelines. Utilize theoretical concepts to guide the effective practice of adult care within Specific Standards of Care for this age group.

Specific Standards for the Care of Geriatric Patients Ages 65 and older

Maintain a knowledge of the developmental tasks and sociological theories of aging. Utilize theoretical concepts to guide the effective practice of gerontological health care and behavioral care. Gather the appropriate information from the patient, family and interdisciplinary team and use therapeutic judgements based on knowledge of gerontological health/behavioral care practices to develop a comprehensive plan of care. Utilize interventions based on gerontological theory to restore patients functional capabilities and to prevent complications and excess disability. Maintain a complete knowledge of treatments, medications and side effects of such in the geriatric age group.

Additional Performance Accountabilities

Develop account management list to maintain current account information, and update as required. Contact primary accounts through personal visits, telephone calls and letters/mailers on an ongoing basis, developing and encouraging a relationship of trust with all active accounts. Monitor referrals and admissions, and plan an appropriate strategy to maximize referral potential. Maintain current awareness of changes in the industry through self-education, peer education, and professional and community involvement for the betterment of this position and the facility. Participate actively on the business development team to increase productivity and reduce duplication of efforts (i.e. setting up joint calls with the CEO and other business development staff, overall participation in the marketing effort). Promote the team concept within the facility. Participate in the evaluation and analysis of facility statistics and provide recommendations to overall business planning strategies as appropriate. Participate with internal facility marketing such as the possible creation of an internal facility newsletter, employee communications, special event communications, etc.. Attend scheduled department meetings to provide the Director of Outpatient Services with timely reports on month-end reviews, client servicing schedules, customer sales forms, and other reporting requirements. Attend in-house planning and development committee meetings, as requested.

Additional Hospital Standards

Adhere to facility, department, corporate, personnel and standard policies and procedures. Attend all mandatory facility in-services and staff development activities as scheduled. Adhere to facility standards concerning conduct, dress, attendance and punctuality. Support facility-wide quality/performance improvement goals and objectives. Maintain confidentiality of facility employees and patient information.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Thorough knowledge of psychiatric and medical procedures essential. Knowledge of all code procedures. Knowledge of state mental health laws, and abuse laws, and the DHS provider agreement. Knowledge of management theories. Skill in organizing and prioritizing workloads to meet deadlines. Skill in telephone etiquette and paging procedures. Effective oral and written communication skills. Ability to communicate effectively with patients and co-workers. Ability to adhere to safety policies and procedures. Ability to use good judgement and to maintain confidentiality of information. Ability to interpret, adapt, and apply guidelines and procedures. Ability to manage multiple tasks in emergencies. Ability to work as a team player. Ability to demonstrate tact, resourcefulness, patience and dedication. Ability to accept direction and adhere to policies and procedures. Ability to recognize the importance of adapting to the various patient age groups (adolescent, adult and geriatric). Ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Ability to interpret, adapt, and apply guidelines and procedures. Ability to meet corporate deadlines. Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations.

Physical, Mental, and Special Demands

Ability to move frequently is required in the delivery of patient care. Ability to lift, push, pull, twist, and stoop in the delivery of patient care. Lifting and holding a patient may be required without assistance. Ability to work inside with air conditioning in summer and heat in winter. Visual acuity is needed for accurate reading of gauges, patient changes, and reports.