Mental Health Counselor

Summary:

The Therapist develops, coordinates, and facilitates all direct social services to patients and their families assigned and performs duties as directed by their manager. The Therapist will work in an acute care setting that includes partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient services.

Job Duties & Responsibilities:

Per program description, this job may include duties of cognitive behavioral therapies in addition to social services.

Provide social services to patients and their families/significant others

• Provide therapeutic treatment services to the individual, group, family and/or significant others.
• May provide individual treatment sessions with patients as indicated per the program and patient needs.
• Provide crisis intervention services as needed and assess for safety daily.
• Interact with patients, family members, significant others and referents with respect and dignity.
• Participate in psychoeducational support sessions with patient/family/significant others.
• Provide case management and therapeutic interventions to all assigned patients.
• Serve as patient advocate when a patient has a grievance, following the System policy and procedure.
• Adhere to materials provided to ensure clinical effectiveness and consistency. Manage patient/family expectations related to services provided. Initiate and maintain contact with referring providers, school, if applicable, and care team for patients.
• Implement goals and interventions as specific on the Care Plan, within the therapeutic component of the patient s program.
• Ensure goals are SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely).
• Ensure goals and interventions are patient specific and individualized according to patient diagnoses.
• Document progress according to the treatment plan.

Complete all documentation within required time

• Complete admissions documentation.
• Social Services Admission Assessment.
• Suicide Risk Assessment and collaboration with treatment team according to identified guidelines.
• Complete a safety plan (at Provider discretion for patients age 12 and under).
• Initial treatment goals and interventions on the Care Plan.
• Obtain necessary consent for release of records to access information that will assist in providing treatment or facilitating discharge, including coordination with referents and other mental health treatment providers.
• Complete ongoing treatment documentation, as required, according to program guidelines.
• Write clear, concise, collaborative, and obtainable treatment goals in the Treatment Plan.
• Document patient s treatment status in medical record daily.
• Complete therapeutic documentation for group treatments including a description of the group and information about the patient s engagement and participation. Update the Care Plan goals and interventions.
• Document contact notes for each conversation with outpatient provider, school, or parent.
• Summarize the patient s progress and decision making from multidisciplinary team meetings in the master treatment plan each time the patient is officially staffed.
• For Inpatient and Residential only: Assist with coordinator of treatment director s hold as needed and according to program policy and guidelines.
• Communicate the process to the team members.
• Document the necessary information in a thorough, detailed, and timely manner.
• Assist the physician with the necessary documentation.

Complete discharge documentation as required and on time

• Document the initial discharge plan in the medical record.
• Document discharge summary. Identify patient s presenting problem, progress, current status and treatment recommendations.
• Contact outpatient provider(s), school and other stakeholders to discuss aftercare to ensure proper handoff.
• Report and document suspected cases of physical, sexual abuse and/or neglect according to the law in the state of employment and according to System policy and procedure.
• Implement understanding of the System policies and procedures.
• Implement understanding of the Mandatory Reporting in the state of employment.

Provide leadership and guidance in the implementation of clinical interventions

• Evaluate the outcome of interdisciplinary interventions and modify the Care Plan accordingly.
• Assist with the development and evaluation of treatment needs.
• Participate and/or facilitate interdisciplinary staffing for treatment planning, updating and progress review.

Communicate professionally and accurately

• Refer to and work with other departments and agencies as needed and according to Social Services policies.
• Report pertinent data to the attending provider and others on the treatment team, verbally or in writing as necessary, and use discernment in situations requiring immediate attention versus postponement.
• Communicate immediately difficult problems with referents, patients, family members/significant others and co-workers.
• Ask for supervision to assist with problem resolution, when appropriate.
• Attend and participate in all department meetings and provide feedback concerning departmental or clinical issues.

Demonstrate strong interdisciplinary approach, facilitating effective communication among

Departments

• Display a positive attitude and participate as a team member.
• Communicate in a respectful and assertive manner to treatment team members and other System personnel.
• Follow through with program philosophy.

Conduct self in a professional manner

• Demonstrate organizational skills that promote timely responses.
• Communicate with all individuals in a positive and professional manner.
• Identify concerns and provide input for resolution.
• Use solutions focused mindset in situations, and resolve individual issues with peers in a positive, calm manner.
• Promote positive team-oriented approach to patient care. Maintain a supportive and collaborative environment with all disciplines.
• Demonstrate a positive and professional attitude toward parties outside the facility (patients, families, visitors, vendors, etc.)
• Use courteous, cooperative, and respectful behavior when working with patients, families, physicians, visitors, and employees.
• Display leadership and positive role-modeling.
• Project a professional image in attire, grooming, and presentation.
• Display professionalism in all aspects of the position.
• Arrive on time, prepared for work responsibilities.
• Adhere to Code of Ethics, Code of Conduct, maintain confidentiality, and abide by professional license code of ethics.

Support changes in staffing/scheduling when program and patient care needs require

• Accept reassignment in a positive manner.
• Demonstrate willingness to adjust work schedule to meet patient and program needs.
• Recognize need for support, seek approp.