Behavioral Health Therapist

Job Description

Job Description

SUMMARY

The Behavioral Health Therapist, under the direction of the Behavioral Health Supervisor, is responsible for providing culturally appropriate professional behavioral health and substance abuse treatment and outpatient clinical services for clients within Behavioral Health Services Programs. This position provides individual psychotherapy to an assigned caseload and crisis support to clients who have or are at high risk of developing substance abuse disorders and/or co-occurring disorders. This position utilizes evidenced-based, short-term therapy modalities to help clients manage a wide variety of mental health concerns by providing intake, screening, orientation, assessments, person-centered treatment planning, discharge planning, counseling, and advocacy for the clients. This position works cooperatively with professionals and paraprofessionals to provide quality and continuity of care for clients according to the ethical standards of the profession.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• A Master's Degree in Psychology, Counseling, Social Work, Psychiatric Nursing, or related field required. State of Michigan Limited Licensure required; full Licensure preferred.
• A minimum of two years' experience providing substance abuse and/or mental health counseling of high-risk populations including mental health, substance abuse and addictive disorders, and/or prevention/community education services required.
• Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC), highly preferred.
• Must have a valid unrestricted driver license and be insurable by the GTB insurance carrier.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for maintaining a quality care and case documentation in a manner consistent with the Grand Traverse Band (GTB) Behavioral Health policies/procedures, State Licensure, Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) accreditation, as well as the ethical standards of the helping professions adhering to confidentiality as stated in Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 42 Part 2.
• Knowledge of the Resource and Patient Management System (RPMS) BH applications, assists staff in its efficient use, and provide leadership in its full implementation. Incorporate the use of the RPMS BH Application to foster improvement in patient care and performance measures.
• Interview clients to assess needs and provide individualized chemical dependency and mental health treatment through assessment, diagnosis, planning, education intervention, discharge planning, and evaluation of outcomes. Services may be delivered in-person or via telehealth.
• Maintain regular contact with assigned clients and provide a quality of care and case documentation in a manner consistent with Grand Traverse Band Behavioral Health Services Policies and Procedures and State Licensure as well as the ethical standards of the helping professions adhering to CFR 42 Part 2 in accordance with the program guidelines.
• Determine and develop appropriate level of care using person-centered treatment plans with a person-centered approach, evaluate and monitor client progress toward treatment goals and communicate clearly with client regarding their progress, update treatment plans regularly.
• Coordinate and assists with mental health inpatient treatment including discharge planning and aftercare.
• Assist with individualized chemical dependency and mental health treatment to children, adolescents, and adults through assessment, diagnosis, planning, education intervention, discharge planning and evaluation of outcomes. Services may be delivered in the form of individual, couples, family, or group therapy.
• Ensure that digital client files are developed and maintained according to departmental policies and procedures; program, funding source, local, state, federal, tribal codes, laws, and/or requirements.
• Facilitate Behavioral Health team meetings; weekly staff meetings; individual and/or quality assurance meetings.
• Assure that the safety and well-being of the client, community member, staff, and volunteers is the highest priority.
• Respond to critical situations, provide crisis support to clients within established or defined timeframes.
• Knowledge of and adherence to the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), Grand Traverse Band Codes, Indian Child Welfare Act, the Michigan Indian Family Preservation Act, department policies and procedures, local, state, federal, tribal codes, laws, and/or requirements and work within best practices.
• Maintain current certifications in CPR, First Aid, Recipient Rights, and Mental Health First Aid.
• Evaluate office, client living environments, and community-based situations for client and/or worker safety and follow best practices when working in a potentially dangerous or volatile environment.
• Locate appropriate resources and make appropriate referrals, assist clients and/or their families with completing forms for various local, state, federal, and tribal social services.
• Coordinate with other departments and outside agencies or organizations for social service programs to provide outreach to clients and their families to maximize operational effectiveness, services, and support to the community and public served.
• Mandated reporting to supervisor and authorities.
• Prepare, coordinate, facilitate education, support groups, and/or informational articles to the community, other departments; and/or serve on projects and committees as assigned.
• Complete program specific paperwork, itineraries, logs; monthly, quarterly, annual narrative and statistical reports as needed and/or required within established or defined timeframe.
• Participate in staff meetings, team meetings, case related activities such as case consultations, court hearings, pre-hearing conferences, in-service trainings, etc.
• Knowledge of and adherence to the highest level of confidentiality on all matters involving clients and families being served or visiting Human Services, Anishinaabek Family Services (AFS), and Behavioral Health Services (BHS) offices, as outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations 42 Part 2, Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA), the Grand Traverse Band Codes, Personnel Policy, and/or other regulatory agency.
• Other duties as assigned.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of and adherence to State and/or National Licensing regulations and requirements, participate in ongoing trainings, in-services, conferences, and continuing education as required by funding agency, State and/or National Licensing Boards or Organizations for maintaining appropriate professional certification/licensures.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with mental health, dual diagnosis, and culturally diverse groups, including individual, group, and family dynamics and knowledge of therapeutic techniques in a variety of population groups.
• Must be able to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with supervisory personnel, coworkers, subordinates, clients, other departments, government officials, and the general public while maintaining good judgment and decision-making.
• Must be able to handle, and/or redirect potentially hostile clients, family members, and/or other inappropriate adversarial situations.
• Must be able to work in high stress environment, handle difficult situations, and maintain objectivity.
• Must be able to establish appropriate boundaries with clients and families.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the physical, psychological, and psychosocial effects of Mental and Behavioral Health. Grief, Substance Abuse, Abuse Issues, and Historical Trauma on the individual and family relative to the Native American Population.
• Ability to quickly evaluate alternatives and decide on a plan of action; use judgment and emotional intelligence in identifying and selecting the most appropriate procedures to use, and/or follow in determining which of several established alternatives to use.
• Recognize problems or deviations from normal procedures and consult with supervisors to create a plan and/or solution; situations not covered by precedents or guidelines are referred to a supervisor.
• Demonstrate, according to the seven grandfather teachings, a commitment to cultural programming by learning of cultural teachings, participating in, and coordinating cultural activities for clients, providing continuous support for the enhancement of the culture, language, and traditions.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to the needs of others, open-minded to individuals' needs, situation, and specific background and/or culture.
• Demonstrate active listening skills, such that the clients' needs, issues and/or problems are heard and addressed.
• Must be able to travel; must be flexible and available to work various shifts, on-call, after hours, weekends, and holidays on a rotating and/or emergency basis.
• Must be able to communicate effectively, have excellent oral and written verbal communication skills with a diverse range of audiences and settings, with the ability to prepare clear, concise, thorough, meaningful, and grammatically correct written reports and/or other written documents.
• Must have good time management, prioritization, follow-up, follow-through, and organizational skills with the ability to plan, prioritize, and manage workload to meet goals and needs in a timely manner.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work in a professional and courteous manner, sustaining professionalism under duress, and maintaining positive working relationships and communication with internal and external contacts.
• Basic knowledge of business, budgeting, accounting, purchasing, and planning.
• Proficiency in computers using Microsoft® Windows Operating System, Office Suite, and Outlook; Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc.) and proper use of other office equipment.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• A Master's Degree in Psychology, Counseling, Social Work, Psychiatric Nursing, or related field required. State of Michigan Limited Licensure required; Full Licensure preferred.
• A minimum of two years' experience providing substance abuse and/or mental health counseling of high-risk populations including mental health, substance abuse and addictive disorders, and/or prevention/community education services required.
• Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC), highly preferred.
• Adhere to the Ethical Standards and Code of Conduct of the position.

DRIVING REQUIREMENTS

Must have and maintain a valid unrestricted Driver's License and insurable by the GTB insurance carrier.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

No supervisory responsibility required.

EQUIPMENT TO BE USED

General office equipment such as computers, copiers, fax machine, phone system, etc.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Involves sedentary work, with some lifting, reaching, walking, and lifting heavy objects, up to 50 pounds. Also requires manual dexterity to operate office equipment, keyboarding, etc. Should have corrected normal range of hearing and sight.

TYPICAL MENTAL DEMANDS

• The work environment could present out-of-the-ordinary job risks; there could be a risk for the safety of the worker and clients. There could be a risk of liability against the worker due to the nature of the position and clientele.
• During the delivery of services, you may be working with clients who may have HIV, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, as well as other infectious diseases.
• Some assignments will involve clients who are or were victims of crime, recovering from physical, sexual, and emotional abuse with the potential to exhibit violent, suicidal, or abusive behaviors.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Normal office environment with anticipated automobile travel for client visits in the six-county service area. Some work to be performed in the three GTB satellite offices (Traverse City, Charlevoix, and Benzie). Position may require flexible schedule, events, conferences, and trainings outside normal working hours.
• May also provide services at schools, in hospitals, jails, and other locations in the six county service areas. At times, these services are provided collaboratively with other internal and external professionals.

COMMENTS

Native American Preference will apply. Must be willing and able to pass a criminal history background check with no felonies or serious misdemeanors and a drug and alcohol urinalysis as a condition of employment. Adherence to strict company policy regarding confidentiality is a must.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Management retains the right to add or to change the duties of the position at any time. * Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents in lieu of stated minimums require prior approval of the Director of Human Resources.