Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Therapist

Primary Purpose:

Under the supervision of licensed provider conducts patient assessments and provides psychotherapy and other related therapies to individuals, couples, families or groups of patients.  Follows established policies and procedures of assigned service area.

Major Responsibilities:

Functions as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team by reviewing assessment data, case management, intake and other discipline data.  Ensures goals identified in the treatment plan are clinically appropriate to the stated problems, developmentally focused, measurable and achievable within current anticipated lengths of stay, updates treatment plans as appropriate.

Performs patient psychosocial assessments to determine appropriate intervention and care plan, goal determination and treatment planning altering same as case warrants.  Contacts families, where appropriate, for collateral information and discharge planning.  Facilitates family meetings with members of the interdisciplinary team.

In collaboration with clinical supervisor provides and documents individual and group psychotherapy to patients and families.  Provides family therapy as appropriate.  Understands and utilizes brief therapy model as appropriate.

Obtains feedback and documented review from clinical supervisor for all clinical services provided.

Accurately completes all documentation responsibilities as outlined in department/service area procedures within established timelines.  Documentation responsibilities include but are not limited to: treatment plans, progress notes, discharge summaries, aftercare plans, records for billing, etc.

Works cooperatively with other professional and non-professional staff to identify and resolve problems in the service delivery systems, ultimately improving the quality of patient care.

Acts as a liaison with referral sources to ensure continuity of care and discharge planning.  Facilitates timely and appropriate referrals to other community resource networks such as outpatient providers of mental health and AODA services, home health agencies, residential treatment facilities and other community agencies specializing in financial, housing, child care and transportation services.  Documents these activities appropriately.

Assists with crisis intervention and interviewing with emergencies utilizing proper procedures.

Maintains clinical expertise through attendance at appropriate education sessions and periodic case presentation during clinical consultation.

Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served.  Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures.  Age-specific information is developed further in the departmental job standards.

Promotes constructive approaches to problem solving within the department and takes an active role in quality improvement programs.

Licensure, Registration and/or Certification Required:

Professional Counselor Training license issued by the state of Wisconsin, or

Marriage and Family Therapist Training license issued by the state of Wisconsin, or

Social Worker, Adv Practice license issued by the state of Wisconsin.

Education Required:

Master's Degree in Social Work, or

Master's Degree in Psychology, Clinical, or

Master's Degree in Psychology, Educational, or

Master's Degree in Psychology, Counseling or related field.

Experience Required:

No experience required   

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

Some positions may be restricted to individuals with Master's Degree in Social Work and the Advanced Practice Social Worker Training License upon hire.

Some positions may also require one of the following Substance Abuse licenses upon hire, Substance Abuse Counselor-In-Training, Substance Abuse Counselor, Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor, or Clinical Supervisor-In-Training.

Must exhibit good command of social work knowledge, principles and methods and the ability to apply these in a behavioral health setting.

Good written and verbal communication skills.

Demonstrates the ability to function in a complex mental health delivery system.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

Will frequently be required to lift up to 25 lbs. without assistance.

Will occasionally be required to lift over 25 lbs. with assistance.

May be exposed to the following hazard: mechanical, electrical, chemical, blood and body fluids.

Must be able to sit, stand, walk, squat, bend, reach above shoulders and twist.

Must be able to restrain and control patients who are outwardly psychotic or physically combative.

Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.

Any exception to the above requirements must be demonstrated through Employee Health.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.