Employment

Primary Function

Serves as primary therapist for adults and children with mental health and substance abuse disorders including dual diagnoses who are EBCI and IHS eligible. This position will primarily serve children and families. Services include comprehensive clinical assessment of client and family needs and utilization of evidenced based treatments for psychiatric and substance use disorders.  Employee is expected to provide individual, family, and group therapy using brief focused therapy methods as well as more traditional methods of treatment. Employee will also provide emergency, crisis intervention, consultation and education services as needed. Employee will provide services in various locations in the community as assigned. If the employee is assigned to a specialty population or agency service location, specific instructions and limitations may apply. If employee is assigned to an enhanced service, such as Integrated Classroom or Family Intensive Treatment, the employee will provide services according to service definition requirements and CIHA policy.

Job Description

• Provides services to EBCI and other eligible persons on primarily outpatient basis with
  some inpatient consultation. Required to provide services to individuals/families in
  Graham and Cherokee County.
• Responsible for completion of intake forms, identification of community resources, patient assessment, provision and coordination of supportive services, patient advocacy.
• Provide walk-in services as assigned and according to the approved schedule.
• Provides therapy services to patients in exceptionally difficulty cases where such is appropriate as determined by treatment needs which require incumbents' special skills and/or level of expertise.
• Asses and treat inpatients and outpatients in individual, group, couples, and family modalities exercising mature professional judgment and using a wide range of therapeutic skills to include individual and family counseling to assist patients and their families in dealing with chronic and acute MH/SA diagnoses.
• Working in collaboration with the treatment team, will conduct psychosocial assessments to determine patients' needs and resources (both family support and community support).
• Cooperates and collaborates with the medical staff and other health professional/agencies in developing a viable therapeutic team network to facilitate and establish patterns of cooperative efforts and to facilitate patient care, discharge and follow-up.
• Provide counseling to patient and family in matters directly related to patients' limitations, finances, adjustments to medical condition and ongoing treatment. Develop and implement discharge plans, follow-up care, and transfers to other behavioral health facilities as appropriate.
• Responsible for the behavioral assessment of any case involving issues of sexual abuse or other serious behavior problems, development of treatment plan recommendations for intervention, supervision of treatment plan implementation and attendance at treatment team meetings to review behavioral data and adjust treatment plans.
• Responsible for conducting individual and family therapy sessions that review behavior management data, school performance, process relationship conflicts and focuses on success indicators. Family sessions will support the development of a plan within the home that defines acceptable behavior, assigns chores, pays an allowance for completion, structures completion of school homework, and establishes a method for resolving conflicts.
• Responsible for conducting behavioral assessments as assigned and providing the necessary consultation with court services and other treatment team members in developing an intervention plan.
• Implements and follows the provisions contained in all applicable privacy/confidentiality policies, procedures, and practices for maintenance and release of patient records and clinical information, including EBCI, CIHA, IHS, DHHS, HIPPA, CHR 42, or other licensing bodies.
• Responsible for attending clinical staffing as an integral component of a treatment team, facilitating the discussion of patient data, and formulating changes to the treatment plan.
• Responsible for the development of individual treatment plans including comprehensive assessment, development of time limited, quantified, measurable, and salient goals, and prescribing procedures and interventions which facilitate goal attainment. Treatment plans must be consistent with the patient diagnosis, agency quality assurance guidelines, and level of care policies.
• Shall perform limited administrative duties, which include maintaining statistical records of clinical workload, utilization review, and quality assurance, participating in education programs, and participating in clinical quality assurance functions.
• Assists in attaining and maintaining accreditation by the Joint Commission of Health Care Organizations.
• Participates in division/program meetings to review and identify opportunities to improve the program and treatment provided, and recommend corrective action when problems are identified. This includes assisting with changes in policy and procedure, which would improve the care of service delivery.
• Participates in the provision of periodic in-service training for non health care practitioner members of the clinical and administrative staff on subjects germane to clinical and case management, services. This shall include responsibility for developing and implementing psycho educational programs, community relations, information and referral.
• Timely record all treatment and clinically significant events for the medical record in the manner prescribed by the EBCI HMD policies and procedures, quality assurance and quality improvement manuals.
• Provides written, telephone, and face to face consultation services to various persons and organizations which affect the patient These include schools, courts, probation officers, physicians, hospitals, medical care providers, law enforcement officers, social services and community agencies. Regular progress reports are required for communicating with the court and judicial supervisors. Represents the A na le ni sgi Center at regular team meetings for progress review and during emergency meetings dealing with high-risk situations.
• Utilizing training and skill in community organization, participates in community planning and implementation of programs to help resolve such complex issues as improving coordination of services or developing programs of the developmentally delayed, emotionally disturbed persons, and persons with drug, alcohol, and inhalant problems.
• This position is expected to provide sufficient billable/reimbursable services to achieve the 55% productivity standard established for this primary therapist position. Standard is based on "actual minutes" billable/reimbursable hours of service provided, divided by available hours in a given period.
• Expected to obtain continuing education both through in-service training and through access and tuition payment for approved training seminars and workshops.
• Provides on call crises services on a rotating basis with other staff.
• If employee is assigned to an enhanced service, such as Integrated Classroom or Family Intensive Treatment, the employee will provide services according to the service definition requirements.
• Follow all relevant CIHA policies and procedures, as well as specific written and verbal direction from supervisor.

   

  Education/Experience

• Master’s Degree in behavioral health field such as Social Work, Psychology, Marriage & Family Therapy, or Counseling required.
• Degree must be obtained from an accredited university that is accepted by appropriate licensing agencies in NC.
• NC license LCSW, LPP, LPC, LMFT.
• Knowledge of evidenced based practices used for children and adolescents such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF CBT), parent child interactive therapy (PCIT), child parent psychotherapy (CPP), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing and anger replacement therapy (ART).
• Must show competence in Substance Abuse either by licensure/certification from the NC Substance Abuse Certification Board or experience in substance abuse treatment.
• A minimum of three years of diagnostic, therapeutic experience required.
• Specific experience working with Native Americans preferred.
• Must possess valid drivers' license.

Job Knowledge

• Knowledge of individual, group and couples modalities with expertise in crises intervention with individual and families experiencing acute episodes of distress.
• Ability to ascertain the potential lethality of a situation and respond and refer accordingly.
• Ability to learn computerized treatment systems such as RPMS, and ability to maintain records and files manually and on the computer.
• Considerable originality and initiative are required in the daily performance of tasks.
• Considerable knowledge of principles, techniques, and practices, and their application to complex casework, group work, and community problems.
• Considerableknowledge of a wide range of medical, behavioral and psychosocial problems and their treatment.
• Considerable knowledge of governmental and private organizations and resources in the community.
• Considerable knowledge of the laws, regulations, and policies, which govern the program.
• Considerable knowledge of medical terminology, disease processes, and their treatment as they relate to decisions regarding clinical interventions and appropriate therapies based on medical or psychological diagnosis.
• Significant knowledge of substance abuse to include diagnostic criteria for abuse, dependence, intoxication and withdrawal of all drug classifications, methods of evaluation and assessment, impact of mental illness on patients ability to negotiate treatment recommendations, current treatment approaches, modalities of care, and substance abuse and other programs or services available to patients.
• Skill in establishing rapport with a patient and in applying techniques of assessing psychological, behavioral, and psychosocial aspects of patients problems.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of caseload and their families, other professional disciplines, and a variety of governmental and private resources and organizations in the community.
• Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely and to plan and. execute work effectively.

Complexity of Duties

This position is responsible for assisting in maximizing the available resources to develop and maintain the A na le ni sgi Center that best meets the constantly changing needs of the community. Must have the ability to interpret policy, laws and regulations in order to make decisions when a precedent is not available. Duties require the application of clinical judgment and problem solving skills in order to be effective. Judgment often involves decisions that may have life or death results. At times may be dealing with individuals who are highly agitated, emotional, or out of touch with reality.

Supervision Received

Works under the direct guidance of the A na le ni sgi Center Manager where goals, objectives, policies, and procedures are well defined. Works independently within applicable licensing regulations where latitude for creative thinking, initiative and discretion are given to achieve department goals and objectives.

Responsibility for Accuracy

Most clinical errors would be detected with proofing and review procedures. Failure to properly manage and direct activities could result in ill will for the department, delays in patient treatment, and negative patient and community relations. Ineffective health planning could have adverse effects on the health status of the community by limiting access to necessary resources. Accuracy of data and research is critical in the allocation of tribal resources. Responsible for the adherence to policy and procedure. Inappropriate actions or inaccuracies in judgment could result in improper diagnosis and treatment, serious liability for the tribe, or more serious health risks to patients.

Contacts with Others

Interacts frequently with coworkers, hospital staff, patients, and other health professionals for the purpose of exchanging information, obtaining, or providing assistance. Serves on various local, community, and health committees, boards and advisory councils, as appropriate. Tact, courtesy, and professional conduct are required to maintain positive working relationships. Utmost sensitivity and confidentiality is required when dealing with patients and families.

Confidential Data

All A na le ni sgi Center data is considered highly confidential and strict adherence to all applicable tribal confidentiality policies, procedures and guidelines is required.

Customer Service

Consistently demonstrates superior customer service skills to patients/customers by demonstrating characteristics that align with CIHA’s guiding principles and core values. Ensure excellent customer service is provided to all patients/customers by seeking out opportunities to be of service.