THERAPIST (MA/MSW)

The Outpatient Therapist is responsible for providing support to the day-to-day operations of the Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient programs including, but not limited to: administrative functions, utilization review, assessment, discharge planning, group/individual therapy, case management, and other duties related to delivering a successful program.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:Master's Degree from an accredited college or university, in Social Work or a clinical related mental health field.

Experience:Requires a minimum of two (2) years' experience in a psychiatric health care facility, with direct experience in family and group therapies, crisis intervention, and treatment skills; must have strong clinical assessment skills. Outpatient experiencehighlypreferred.

License:Mustpossesslicensure in the State ofCAasaLCSW, LMFT,orACSW or AMFT.

Additional Requirements:Thorough knowledge of The Joint Commission,OSHA, and state and federal regulatory requirements.CPR certification and successful completion of Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training.CPI Training may be obtained during new hire orientation.

Program Operations

Coordinate the process fordeterminingandmaintainingaccuratelegal processes for patients.
EnsureInfection Control,Safetyand Risk Management policies are consistently implemented on the unit.
Process unusual occurrence reports, conduct investigations and corrective plans when needed.
Coordinate performance improvement activities andis responsible forthe effectiveness of theprogramquality management activities.
Monitor medical records forappropriate documentationof care and effectiveness of the treatment plan.
Evaluate the appropriateness of all medical/psychiatric emergency interventions performed in the program.
Acts as the Patient Advocate for the facility.
Responsible for preparing, compiling, andmaintainingfiles andopenoutpatientrecords.
Responsible for coordinating communication between staff, physicians, patients,familiesand other departments.

Professional Collaboration

Participate in designated task force meetings.
Meet on a regular basis with theDirector ofOutpatientServices.
Collaborate with Case Management to ensure patients receivetimely, quality care.
Attend annual mandatory in-service programs.

Job-Specific Accountabilities

Complete psychosocial assessments.
Provide group therapy or co-lead groups.
Provide individual/family therapy sessions and crisis intervention.
Augment Inpatient Services as needed.
Ensuretimelyandaccuratedelivery of clinical information to HMO/Insurance providers (PHP/IOPspecific).
Provide social work consultations to physicians, nurses, other hospital staff members, patients,patient'srelativesand coordinate with community agencies asappropriate.
Provides case management services to patients in PHP/IOP.
Provides discharge planning services to PHP/IOPpatients as needed.
Attendappropriate meetings, workshops, and in-housetrainingstomaintainclinical skills and keep informed of community resources available.
Respond to calls and requests made by hospital physicians, intake and assessment personnel,nursesand other staff as needed.

GeneralPerformance Accountabilities

Use time constructively and in an organized manner toaccomplishassigned responsibilities, delegates duties to other personnel asappropriate, anddemonstratesgood judgment ability.
Demonstrate a professional attitude andworkscollaboratively with physicians/licensed practitioners,staff, patients,visitorsand allied health providers.
Show evidence of ongoing education in health care management.
Act as a behavioral model of proceduralexpertiseto other staff members through demonstration,teachingand mutual consultation.

Specific Standards for the Care of Child Patients Ages 5 through 11

Maintainknowledge of the Child Program rules, protocols and handbooks guidelines.
Maintainknowledge of children's stages of development and seek guidance from the nurse in charge when questions about the norms for behavior related to child development arise.
3. Assess patientsfor behaviorsconsistent with the developmental stages and makenoteof any deviations in behavior.

Recognizeacting out behavior of child specific age group and setappropriate limitsin clear, concise,behavioraland non-judgmental terms based on the age of the patient.

Demonstrate an awareness of learning disabilities and translates treatment/program expectations to thelearning disabledchild.

Relate to child patients in anage appropriatemanner.

Utilizeseclusion and restraint procedures with anunderstanding ofthe need for modificationin regard tosmaller body sizes of children, abandonmentissuesand the historyof physicaland/or sexual abuse issue.

Act as a resource to other staffin regard tothe Child Patient Programs.

Specific Standards for the Care of Adolescent Patients Ages 12 through 18

1. Maintainknowledgeof theAdolescent Program rules,protocolsand handbooks guidelines.
2. Assess patientsfor behaviorsconsistent with the developmental stages and makes note of any

deviations in behavior.

3. Recognize acting out behavior ofadolescent specificage group and setappropriate limitsin clear, concise,behavioraland non-judgmental terms based on the age of the patient.
Demonstrate an awareness of learning disabilities and translates treatment/program expectations to thelearning disabledadolescent.
5. Relateto adolescent patients in anage appropriate
6. Utilizeseclusion and restraint procedures with anunderstanding ofthe need for modificationin regard tosmaller body sizes of adolescents, abandonmentissuesand the historyof physicaland/or sexual abuse issue.
Act as a resource to other staffin regard tothe Adolescent Patient Programs.

Specific Standards for the Care of Adult Patients Ages 19 through 64

1. Gatherinformation from the patient, family and interdisciplinary team and use judgements based on knowledge of adult behaviors in treatment planning and interventions.
2. Recognize behaviors and setappropriate limitsin clear, concise, behaviors and non-judgmental terms.
3. Utilize seclusion/restraint procedures applicable to adult body size andpast historyof violent or emotional behaviors.
4. Maintain current knowledge of the Adult Program rules,protocolsand handbook guidelines.
5. Utilize theoretical concepts to guide the effective practice of adult care within Specific Standards of Care for this age group.

Specific Standards for the Care of Geriatric Patients Ages 65 and older

Maintaina knowledge of the developmental tasks and sociological theories of aging.
2. Utilize theoretical concepts to guide the effective practice of gerontological health care

and behavioral care.

3. Gather theappropriate informationfrom the patient, family and interdisciplinary team and use therapeutic judgements based on knowledge of gerontological health/behavioral care practices to develop a comprehensive plan of care.
4. Utilize interventions based on gerontological theory to restorepatientsfunctional capabilities and to prevent complications and excess disability.
5. Maintain a complete knowledge of treatments,medicationsand side effects of such in the geriatric age group.

Additional Performance Accountabilities

Develop account management list tomaintaincurrent account information, and update asrequired.
Contact primary accounts through personal visits, telephonecallsand letters/mailers on an
ongoing basis, developing and encouraging a relationship of trust with all active accounts.
Monitor referrals andadmissions, andplanan appropriate strategyto maximize referral potential.
Maintain current awareness of changes in the industry through self-education, peer education,
and professional and community involvement for the betterment of this position and the facility.
Participate activelyonthe business development team to increase productivity and reduce
duplication of efforts (i.e.setting up joint calls with the CEO and other businessdevelopment
staff, overall participationin the marketing effort).
Promote the team concept within the facility.
Participate in the evaluation and analysis of facility statistics and provide recommendations tooverall business planning strategies asappropriate.
Participate with internal facility marketing such as the possible creation of an internal facilitynewsletter, employee communications, special event communications,etc..
Attend scheduled department meetings to provide theDirector of Outpatient Serviceswithtimelyreports on month-endreviews, client servicing schedules, customer sales forms, and other reporting requirements.
Attend in-house planning and development committee meetings, asrequested.

AdditionalHospitalStandards

Adhere to facility, department, corporate, personnel and standard policies and procedures.
Attend all mandatory facility in-services and staff development activities as scheduled.
Adhere to facility standards concerning conduct, dress,attendanceand punctuality.
Support facility-wide quality/performance improvement goals andobjectives.
Maintain confidentiality of facility employees and patient information.

Note: Theessential job functions of this position are not limited to the duties listed above.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

THIS SECTION DESCRIBES WHAT KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES AN EMPLOYEE IN THIS POSITION SHOULD CURRENTLY POSSESS.THIS LIST MAY NOT BE COMPLETE FOR ALL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION.

Thorough knowledge of psychiatric and medical proceduresessential.
Knowledge of all code procedures.
Knowledge of state mental healthlaws, andabuse laws, and the DHS provider agreement.
Knowledge of management theories.
Skill in organizing and prioritizing workloads to meet deadlines.
Skill in telephone etiquette and paging procedures.
Effective oral and written communication skills.
Ability to communicate effectively with patients and co-workers.
Ability to adhere to safety policies and procedures.
Ability to use good judgement and tomaintainconfidentiality of information.
Ability to interpret, adapt, and apply guidelines and procedures.
Ability to manage multiple tasks in emergencies.
Ability to work as a team player.
Ability todemonstratetact, resourcefulness,patienceand dedication.
Ability to accept direction and adhere to policies and procedures.
Ability to recognize the importance of adapting to the various patient age groups (adolescent,adultand geriatric).
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to interpret, adapt, and apply guidelines and procedures.
Ability to meet corporate deadlines.
Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations.

PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND SPECIAL DEMANDS

THIS SECTION DESCRIBES HOW AN EMPLOYEE IN THIS POSITION CURRENTLY PERFORMS THE FUNCTIONS OF THIS POSITION.MODIFICATIONS TO THE MANNER IN WHICH THIS JOB MAY BE PERFORMED WILL BE REVIEWED ON ACASE BY CASEBASIS.

Abilityto movefrequentlyisrequiredin the delivery of patient care.
Ability to lift,push, pull, twist, and stoop in the delivery of patient care.Liftingand holding a patientmay berequiredwithoutassistance.
Ability to work inside with air conditioning in summer and heat in winter.
Visual acuity is needed foraccuratereading of gauges, patient changes, and reports.