Behavioral Health Therapist

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Plans, organizes, implements and evaluates therapy for assigned patients. Provides social work services for patients and families including plans for discharge, aftercare, and linkage to available community resources. Effectively adjusts communication with the patient (legal guardian, and/or family) with consideration given to age, level of understanding, developmental stage and clinical status. Practices in accordance with designated standards and ethics set by respective professional association guidelines.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

EXPERIENCE:

1. Two (2) years training and/or experience in Behavioral Health Therapy.

CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position.  They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties.  Other duties may be assigned.

1. Performs assessment/evaluation of clients, including personal, social, and emotional development, family dynamics, and where appropriate, biopsychosocial antecedents, influences, and effects associated with substance dependence.

2. Participates in multidisciplinary treatment planning, with attention to special treatment needs by reason of age, gender, sexual orientation, or ethnic origin, social and cultural influences, and spiritual needs.

3. Appropriately assesses patients for discharge planning needs based on patient’s ability to make decisions, capabilities of caring for self and assisting with alternative arrangements for placement.  Has knowledge of community resources and criteria for accessing. 

4. Petitions for final commitments in conjunction with the provider for individuals who need involuntary commitment and/or longer term psychiatric care

5. Interpretation of social, psychological, and emotional problems is on-going and will be shared with treatment team.

6. Assess patients for signs or symptoms of abuse utilizing age-appropriate evaluation and coordinates appropriate referral and counseling.  Knowledge of the laws regarding child abuse, neglect, adult abuse, neglect, domestic violence and rape.

7. Appropriate documentation of services provided by making concise entries in the medical record regarding the evaluation and plan of care.

8. Facilitates individual, group and family counseling(as needed) utilizing evidenced based practices

9. Is available to discuss issues with patients such as advance directives, informed consent, and basic patient rights. 

10. Creates therapeutic activities and implements activities during scheduled therapeutic groups.

11. Documents all interactions with patient, families and referral resources in patient records including discharge planning information.

12. Provide follow-up resources with patient discharge instructions and document appropriately in patient record.

13. Provide individual/group discharge sessions with patient support system.

14. Completion of initial treatment plan and treatment plan reviews within required time frame.

15. Demonstrates good organizational and time management skills to effectively balance patient treatment needs, documentation, and educational requirements.  Manages time effectively to maximize the volume of patients. 

16. Follows hospital, state and federal guidelines for ensuring safe environment for workers, patients and public.  Maintains and monitors staff compliance with hospital and departmental policies and procedures for safety, security, and infection control.  Including privacy, patient confidentiality and HIPAA.

17. Obtains work related continuing education as required for professional licensure.

18. Communicates and interacts with patients, families, visitors, physicians, departmental and hospital staff and the public in general in a manner that demonstrates professionalism and concern for the individuals' need(s).

19. Good working relationships are developed with community health, welfare, and social agencies. New resources from the community are constantly sought to meet patient needs.

20. Remains current and responsive to changes in healthcare delivery, standards established by professional organizations, regulatory and accrediting bodies and the needs of the organization.  Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs and current professional literature.

21. Actively participates in in-services, staff meetings, continuing education courses, hospital wide committees and other meetings as needed or required.

22. Assists in the training and education of social work, psychology and counseling students

23. Participates in Quality initiatives to help assess and improve the services provided and compliance with regulatory requirements. Reports results to appropriate administrative levels.

24. Willingly accepts assignments within scope of practice, skill set and level of competence.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Must meet Department of Labor’s MEDIUM duty standard (MEDIUM WORK- exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly).

WORKING ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here 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.

1. May be exposed to virus, disease, and infection from patients and specimens in working environment.

2. May be required to travel between facilities/buildings.

3. May be exposed to traumatic situations including psychiatric crisis, physical injuries and death.

4. While performing duties of this job the employee may be exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk or electrical shock, risk of radiation and infectious/blood borne diseases.  This job may be fast paced.

5. This position may require unsupervised access to restricted areas that may contain medications, supplies and patient confidential information.

6.  Must be flexible and work other than the normal shift when needed and able to take call.  May be required to leave work early or asked to work overtime as deemed by the work load.

7. This position may require unsupervised access to restricted areas that may contain medications, supplies and patient confidential information.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Able to bend, stoop, reach and be capable of normal rotation, standing and walking for an 11-12 hour shift.

2. Able to use a computer keyboard, monitor and mouse and be able to use and apply hospital software programs.

3. Able to answer telephones and transcribe messages

4. Able to communicate verbally, written and electronically with healthcare personnel, families and patients.

5. Able to wear latex or vinyl gloves, with frequent changes and hand washing.

6. Must be proficient in the use of assorted equipment supplies and techniques associated with the delivery of patient care.

Additional Job Description:

PRN Support

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

0

Shift:

Exempt/Non-Exempt:

United States of America (Non-Exempt)

Company:

BMC Berkeley Medical Center

Cost Center:

315 BMC Neuro Behavioral Health Services

Address:

2500 Hospital DriveMartinsburgWest Virginia

Equal Opportunity Employer

West Virginia University Health System and its subsidiaries (collectively "WVUHS") is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. WVUHS strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. All WVUHS employees, other workers, and representatives are prohibited from engaging in unlawful discrimination. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment.