Clinical Therapist

Job Summary

The role of the Clinical Therapist is to establish a positive and trusting rapport with clients. This includes providing assessments, completing paperwork, monitoring the needs of clients, and providing continued support for alumni, as needed. Referrals may be necessary for clients that are experiencing medical issues, a crisis, or some other mental or physical concern.

Role and Responsibilities

• Provides support for carrying out overall program treatment and adherence to house/unit rules, local, state and accreditation regulations and standards.
• Orients clients to treatment through introductions, tours, etc.
• Provides individual and group counseling, didactic and process groups, family therapy sessions, and overall case management of residential and outpatient clients.
• Processes and documents referrals, psychosocial assessments, individualized treatment plans, treatment plan reviews and updates, progress notes, utilization reviews, transition and discharge plans, and continuing care plans.
• Provides education to clients and families about behavioral health treatment and recovery options.
• Maintains all files and records to a level that meets quality assurance standards.
• Monitors the needs of clients, including the need for inter-agency referrals and follow-ups.
• Provides continued support for alumni, as needed.
• Assists in the support, orientation, and training of interns, contract and newly hired staff.
• Ensures maintenance of client rights, health, welfare, and safety by providing support to all team members and by maintaining continuity of quality care.
• Makes client referrals for ongoing care, including times where this is a need for medical and crisis care.
• Stays up to date on professional licenses and all necessary continuing education and supervision, as required.
• Presents professionally to the public when representing Sanford Behavioral Health.
• Completes timely client reviews for insurance purposes.
• Advocates for insurance coverage through timely and thorough communication with third-party billing companies.
• Participates in staff development and training, including staff meetings, in-service trainings and annual trainings required by Sanford Behavioral Health on a timely basis.
• Ensures that all documentation of services is completed within 24 hours of services being rendered.
• Maintains strict confidentiality on all client records and business-related records, as required under HIPAA guidelines.
• Adheres to established Code of Ethics, Standards of Practice, Patient Centered Philosophy, and employee handbook.
• Participates in weekend rotations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Substance Use Disorder

• Provides therapy, education, and supervision in groups, individual, and family settings for up to 25 billable hours per week.

Eating Disorder

• Provides supervision and support to clients by participating in meals and snacks, as needed.
• Provides therapy, education, and supervision in groups, individual, and family settings for up to 25 billable hours per week.
• Actively engages with the milieu during non-therapeutic hours, as necessary.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Master’s degree in social work or other related degree, required.
• Limited Licensed Psychologist, Licensed Mental Health Professional, Licensed Professional Counselor or equivalent with appropriate licensure and/or certification with the state of Michigan, required.
• SPADA, CADC, or CAADC certification or working toward the development of certification, required for Substance Use Disorder.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) certification required.
• Two (2) years of experience with extensive knowledge of mental health issues, substance use disorders, or eating disorders, and best practices for psychological treatment, preferred.

Knowledge/skills/abilities

• Good communication skills, self-motivation, good leadership potential, knowledge of case management, and good decision-making ability.
• Ability to work with a team milieu approach to the treatment clients.
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality on all client records and business-related records, as required under HIPAA guidelines.
• Must have analytical skills and creative problem-solving skills.
• Oral and written communication skills with the ability to interact with different levels within the organization as well as different types of clients.
• Knowledge in the field of behavioral health.
• Knowledge of counseling theories and interpersonal dynamics.
• Ability to work within a team setting and create an environment where all are valued and work together cohesively.
• Ability to identify own strengths and areas of improvement and communicate needs to supervisor.

Physical Requirements

• Periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer (5+ hours).
• Ability to walk the unit and interact with clients during non-therapy times (1-3 hours).
• Must be able to lift 35 lbs.
• Must be able to adapt to the physical demands of lifting clients, bending, stooping, and stretching, with or without assistance.
• Must be able to perform repetitive tasks such as typing for extended periods.
• Must be able to clearly express and exchange ideas using spoken word to impart oral information to employees or others accurately or quickly, engaging in sometimes lengthy conversations or presentations.
• Must be able to ascend and descend stairs daily.
• Must be able to seize, hold, grasp, turn or otherwise work with your hand or hands.
• Must be able to perceive sound by ear to interpret oral information from employees or others accurately or quickly.
• Work will be performed in an office environment with fluctuating temperatures.

ADA Disclaimer

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position adequately.  If requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship. All requests must be made to the Human Resource Department in writing.

Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.  Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice and employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions or assignments.  All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements, which are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.  I understand that my signature below indicates my understanding of the requirements, essential functions, and duties of this position.

Sanford Behavioral Health is an equal opportunity employer, drug-free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations, as applicable.