Admissions Therapist (50047)

Salary Range $50,000.00 - $55,000.00 Salary/year

Position Type Full Time

Education Level 2 Year Degree

Description

Position Summary:

Schedules and facilitates admission/intake assessments and determines appropriate level of care. Conducts and prepares screenings, intakes, Biopsychosocial assessments, as well as develops the Initial/Preliminary Wellness & Recovery Plans for consumers upon admission.

Essential Job Functions:

• Schedule and facilitate admissions

• Ensure the enrollment of each consumer into the most appropriate, least restrictive program and level of care

• Perform admissions duties as assigned, phone screening, information and referrals, crisis counseling, data tracking, brief phone assessments, coordinating with referral sources , support of outreach staff, coordination with internal staff – including consultation with medical personnel, work with outpatient staff and residential staff, complete assigned paperwork, work on special projects and grants, either in the office or at other locations, and according to best practices and agency standards.

• Conduct admission assessments using the standardized instrument designated by the

• Managing Entity (ME)

• Prepare Initial Preliminary Wellness & Recovery Plans in collaboration with the consumer

• Make referrals for consumers to other agencies for services not available within the agency

• Prepare consumer admission records in accord with licensing, Medicaid, and Joint

• Commission standards and agency policy and procedure

• Provides the clients with an overview of the court programs and its expectations.

• Obtains collateral information pertinent to the treatment needs of the client.

• Participates as an active team member.

• Respond to subpoenas as needed regarding assessments completed.

• Assists with accessing appropriate community resources for clients or their respective family members.

• Maintains relationships with referral sources as needed.

• Attends shelter hearings as needed in order to facilitate referrals to Dependency Drug Court.

• Attends client hearings in order to present assessment recommendations to the court.

• Communicates with new referral sources and maintains a professional and positive relationship with Judges, defense attorneys, Department of Children and Families attorneys, court liaisons, etc.

• Embrace and embody the mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision and goals of WestCare Foundation

• Perform any other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Essential Qualifications:

Certifications/Licensures:

• Certification as a CAP or MCAP, in good standing by an agency approved and recognized by the Florida Certification Board is preferred at time of hire; Preference will be given to those candidates who are currently Certified;

• Licensure as a LCSW, LMHC, or LMFT in good standing by an agency approved and recognized by the state of Florida is preferred at time of hire; Preference will be given to those candidates who are currently licensed.

Education:

• Graduation from an accredited masters program with a degree in Addiction Counseling, Criminal Justice, Social Work, Psychology or related field is required

Experience and Competencies:

• Two years of previously supervised work experience in providing individual/family therapy is preferred

• Bilingual is preferred.

• Must have reliable means of transportation

• Must have familiarity of Miami-Dade and Broward county

• Maintains confidential files and records.

• The ability to determine eligibility of a consumer’s admission

• The ability to use DSM IV/5 diagnostic criteria to provide substance use, mental health, and behavioral diagnoses

• The ability to identify and evaluate an individual’s strengths, barriers, problems, and needs for the development of a Preliminary/Initial Wellness and Recovery Plan

• The ability to evaluate the impact of substance use, mental health problems, and chronic medical conditions on the consumer’s functioning in major life areas

• Knowledge of the inter-relationship among substance abuse disorders, mental health disorders, and chronic medical condition.

• Knowledge in the understanding of Motivational Interviewing; Motivational Enhancement Therapy; Comprehensive, Continuous Integrated System of Care (CCISC); and Trauma-Informed Care

• Demonstrate proficiency is the administration and interpretation of the standardized screening/assessment designated by the Managing Entity including but not limited to:

• SMQ10

• PCL-5

• ASAM

• Confidence Questionnaire

• Child/Adult Behavioral Checklist

• Overdose screening

• Sissar/Cfars/Mental health outcome

• GPRA

• Locus

• Demonstrate proficiency in writing a Diagnostic Impression that clearly reflects the individual needs of a consumer based on information from the admission/intake assessment

• Ability to determine the appropriate level of care for a consumer based on the admission/intake assessment

• The ability to coordinate and integrate multiple services, as well as interface and communicate with internal and external providers

• Ability to use trauma informed care principles including ensuring consumer safety, preventing/avoiding re-traumatization, maximizing trustworthiness, enhancing consumer choice, maximizing collaboration, and emphasizing empowerment

• Ability to identify and describe key signs, symptoms, impact and manifestations of trauma

• Aware of the differences between trauma informed and trauma-specific services

• Understands the bidirectional relationships among substance use and mental disorders and trauma

• Understands the differences among various kinds of abuse and trauma, including: physical, emotional, and sexual abuse; domestic violence; experiences of war for both combat veterans and survivors of war; natural disasters; and community violence

• The ability to identify crises when they surface; mitigate or resolve the immediate problem; and de-escalate the situation, including the ability to develop Safety Plans, as needed

• The ability to provide information to individuals and families concerning alcohol or other drug abuse, mental health problems, and the available services and resources

• The ability to identify the needs of a consumer that cannot be met by the counselor or agency and to assist the consumer/family to utilize the support systems and community resources available

• Understanding of risk factors for transmission of or re-infection with HIV and factors related to disease progression

• Understanding of the relationship among mental health, substance use, physical health, and medication use on daily functioning

• Understanding and application of federal, state, local and agency confidentiality rules and professional standards of conduct

• Understanding of professional ethics, consumer rights, and professional responsibilities

• Understanding of issues related to individuals with varied identities in prevention, intervention, and treatment

• Understands that individuals with distinct community backgrounds, have different perceptions of health

• Demonstrates respect for individuals with varied identities when conducting assessments, developing Wellness and Recovery Plans, and providing services

• Understands that individuals with distinct community backgrounds define and perceive family and it’s importance differently

• Demonstrates ability to work effectively with individuals with distinct community backgrounds

• Knowledge of WestCare Mission, goals and values

• Knowledge of Incident Reporting

• Knowledge of HIPAA, Professional Ethics, Consumer Rights and Confidentiality

• Familiarity with WestCare services and programs

• Demonstrates a high degree of dependability.

• Maintains a good attendance record.

• Observes working hours

• Shows flexibility and is responsive to requests from supervisor

• Works independently with minimal supervision

• Exhibits characteristics of good workmanship, and integrity on the job

• Work time is always productive

• Demonstrates ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with consumers, co-workers, external partners, and regulatory agencies

• Is courteous to consumers, staff, and all others.

• • Demonstrates tact at the appropriate time.

• Cooperates with others both within and outside WestCare.

• Works well with supervisor; accepts direction and supervision

• Maintains a positive attitude toward work

• Ensures and maintains a safe working environment.

• Work area is clean and orderly.

• Verbalizes, understands and adheres to agency safety procedures.

• Demonstrates appropriate use of Unusual Incident Reports, in accordance with the Center’s reporting procedures

• Presents a positive personal image

• Dresses and maintains a professional demeanor

• CPR Certification, First Aid Certification and an annual Tuberculosis test.

• Ability utilize Microsoft Office Software Suite

• Ability to provide an Affidavit of Good Moral Character

• Clearance in Pre-Employment Drug Testing and Criminal Records Checks, as required.

Working Conditions:

• Work is primarily performed in an office or outpatient treatment setting.

• Some outdoor activities may be required.

Essential Physical and Mental Demands of the Job

The employee must be able to perform the following essential duties and activities with or without accommodation:

Physical Demands:

• Requires mobility and physical activity: Having an adequate range of body motion and mobility to work in an office, residential, or outdoor environment including standing and walking (even and uneven surfaces), sitting for extended periods of time, bending, twisting, reaching, balancing, occasional lifting and carrying of up to 50 pounds. Use of computer and telephone systems is required which includes coordination of eye and hand, and fine manipulation by the hands (typing, writing, and working with files). Requires the ability to defend oneself and clients in physically abusive situations through the use of approved physical de-escalation techniques.

• Requires talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Talking is required to impart oral information to employees, clients, patients, and the public, and in those activities in which the employee is required to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.

• Requires hearing: Hearing is required to receive and communicate detailed information through oral communication.

• Requires seeing: Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less and at distance. This factor is required to complete paperwork for many of the employee’s essential job functions and to observe client behavior and activities in and out of the facility.

• The normal work routine involves no exposure to human blood, body fluids or tissues. However, exposure or potential exposure may be required as a condition of employment. Appropriate personal protective equipment will be readily available to every employee.

Mental Demands:

• Requires the ability to collect and analyze complex numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions.

• Requires the ability to work and cooperate with clients, co-workers, managers, the public and employees at all levels in order to exchange ideas, information, instructions and opinions.

• Requires the ability to work under stress and in emotionally charged settings.

• The ability to defend oneself and clients in mentally/verbally abusive situations through the use of approved mental/verbal de-escalation techniques.