Behavioral Health Therapist

Job Title

POSITION SUMMARY: This position provides mental health therapy and substance use disorder counseling to assigned consumers of Juneau County. Currently Juneau County has two openings for this role, one in an outpatient setting and another in the CCS Program offering support in the community.

Essential Functions

The following duties are normal for this position. However, they are not to be construed as exclusive or all–inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may also be required or assigned.

• Provides mental health therapy/treatment including individual, family, and group treatment. This would include face to face, phone contact, telehealth, and written correspondence.
• Conducts mental health evaluations and assessments; including gathering information regarding symptoms, current, and previous psychiatric medications, previous treatment or therapy, history, etc.
• Formulates diagnosis; develops treatment options with client; makes appropriate referrals to other providers and appropriate resources within and outside of Juneau County.
• Documents assessments, treatment plans, reviews, referrals, and discharge planning and summaries in accordance with professional standards, agency, insurance, State and Federal guidelines.
• Performs ongoing assessment of client for risk of harm to self or others, including developing crisis plans and determining level of care when necessary.
• Completes suicide risk assessments, AUDIT, DAST, or other required psychometric testing for jail inmates.
• Serves as a member of the intake team including initial screening, emergency services, crisis stabilization, referral services, and care planning in consultation with interdisciplinary teams.
• Serves as a member of the CCS, CST, and CSP teams to develop treatment goals and plans based on assessment, evaluation, and agency guidelines. Provides Case Management services to assigned clientele.
• Works with consumers referred for Intoxicated Driver Program (IDP) services, as appropriate.
• Provides consultation, collaboration, and/or training; screening services, psychoeducational, and group facilitation to internal agency divisions and community.
• Monitors medication compliance by observing medication administration, watches for side effects or signs of deterioration.
• Teaches clients about available community resources and how to independently gain access to needed services.
• Advocates and works to coordinate services and support clients in achieving treatment objectives without duplication of effort and with maximum effective use of staff time and available resources.
• Bills for all allowable services and submits billing as directed. Ensures State and insurance reporting system forms and data collection are completed on a timely basis.
• Maintains a timely and complete record for all assigned cases within agency's Electronic Health Record (EHR) system; completes required written assessments, reports, and other related paperwork/documentation as necessary.
• Develops and maintains professional knowledge and skills to enhance the programs and services provided.
• Consults with supervisors, interdisciplinary teams, and legal counsel on appropriate case-specific matters, as necessary.
• May facilitate treatment and/or other related, indicated services with groups of clients.
• May be designated to speak to the community and other organizations to provide public education.
• Participates in crisis intervention services as needed, including the potential of providing after hours services.
• Other duties as assigned.

Expectations

Interprets and applies insurance, Federal, State, municipal, and Department rules, regulations, and policies. Attends work regularly and is punctual. Behaves professionally and presents an appropriate standard of grooming, hygiene, and dress that align with professional, health, and safety standards. Conducts self in such a way as to reflect positively on the County. Fosters positive working relationships and accepts new responsibilities. Learns and understands the safe practices for the job being performed and complies with the safe work practices and personal protective requirements for the job.

Typical Qualifications

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work, Counseling, Clinical Psychology, or Marriage and Family Therapy.
• Must be licensed as a LCSW/LMFT/LPC in the State of Wisconsin.
• Must be licensed as a Substance Abuse Counselor (SAC) or Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) in the State of Wisconsin, or have the ability to obtain such licensure/ability to bill for AODA services within seven (7) years of hire date.
• Must successfully pass caregiver and criminal background check.
• May be required to obtain IDP training.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Preferred additional license of SAC-IT/SAC/CSAC in the State of Wisconsin. Applicants without SAC/CSAC or ability to provide & bill for substance abuse treatment services must obtain such license/ability within 7 years of hire date.

Supplemental Information

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of psycho-social assessments/diagnosis and appropriate courses of treatment.
• Knowledge of pharmacology/psychopharmacology.
• Knowledge of assessment & treatment planning.
• Knowledge of individual/group therapy and crisis intervention techniques.
• Knowledge of community resources, and alternative care resources.
• Working knowledge of mental health and AODA assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.
• Working knowledge of client rights, confidentiality, standards of practice, and ethics in mental health/AODA field.
• Working knowledge of applicable Wisconsin State Administrative Codes, including but not limited to, Chapters 34, 35, 36, 48, 51, 55, 63 and 75.
• Knowledge of human development and behavior, family and group dynamics, and mental, physical, and social dysfunctions.
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to cultural differences and special needs of various minority groups, and ability to consult with other staff regarding these.
• Knowledge of the inherent dangers and precautions to be taken in using drugs and other medication.
• Knowledge of treatment, assessment, and related medical services for service recipients in area of assignment.
• Knowledge of local and State rules, regulations, procedures, and policies pertaining to behavioral health services.
• Knowledge of laws and regulations that affect the delivery of services provided by the Department.
• Knowledge of Wisconsin Statutes and ongoing statutory changes, procedural changes, and form changes.
• Knowledge of computer software and systems consistent for this position.
• Ability to establish and maintain accurate records of assigned activities and operations.
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations required of this position.
• Skill in active listening, non-judgmental communication, safety planning, and collaborative problem solving.
• Skill in organizational and time management to prioritize duties to accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority.
• Skill in time management; prioritizing duties to accomplish a high volume of quality work product requiring minimal supervision.
• Ability to define problems, exercise sound judgment, and address a variety of situations successfully.
• Knowledge and ability to follow the policies and practices contained in the County Personnel Handbook.
• Ability to work the allocated hours of the position and respond after hours if needed.

PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description 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 as otherwise required by law. Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with Human Resources.

• This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel, and repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling and reaching with hands and arms.
• Work has standard vision requirements.
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities.
• May be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment.
• Work is performed in an office and community setting, including