Veterans Mental Health Therapist

JOB PURPOSE:  Provides intensive community-based behavioral health services to veterans and active duty personnel, including clinical assessments, crisis intervention, case management and psychotherapy. Manage a caseload of adult clients and provide services in consultation with a multidisciplinary team, in accordance with funding guidelines and requirements.

SIGNING BONUS: $5,000 (offered to external candidates only).

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________   

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides intake assessments including psychosocial histories, identification of co-occurring disorders, history of treatment, identification of strengths and supports, risk assessment, and diagnostic formulations.
• Provides integration and coordination of care for behavioral health conditions with Veteran–serving systems, including Veterans Health Administration, Substance Abuse Disorders treatment providers, and other components of health care.
• Develops individualized treatment plans with documentation of problems, needs, desired outcomes, and therapeutic goals which are measurable, observable, and realistically achievable.
• Provides individual psychotherapy, group treatment, coordinated crisis response, and case management services as indicated to promote recovery and community reintegration.
• Participates in case consultation with other staff as needed.
• Communicates with hospital personnel to facilitate discharge of clients and return to community.
• Maintains familiarity with and handles client information in accordance with Federal Regulations (42 CFR, Part 2), the Revised Code of Washington (RCW 71.05.390 and RCW 71.24), and other applicable laws pertaining to confidentiality of client and staff information.
• Maintains physical security of confidential materials and assigned Agency property.

SECONDARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develops and implements knowledge of clinical mental health guidelines contained in the VHA’s Uniform Mental Health Services Handbook.
• Performs relevant clinical and administrative tasks according to agency policies.
• Attends Performance Improvement Meetings on a regular scheduled basis.
• Participates in team meetings and program development.
• Provides information and education to community members.
• Maintains high standards of professional conduct in interaction with clients, staff, and other community members.
• Maintains professional competency through a program of professional development and in-service training.
• Performs other duties as assigned or requested.
• Demonstrates flexibility in adapting to changing work demands.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS:

• Meets attendance and punctuality standards necessary for effective client care.
• Maintains accurate, timely chart information in compliance with State, funding source, and agency quality assurance guidelines.
• Meets agency productivity expectations of 55% consistently.
• Coordinates and prioritizes work assignments so that tasks are completed on time.
• Coordinates and prioritizes work assignments so that tasks are completed on time.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, LICENSE(S), CERTIFICATION, AND EXPERIENCE:

Education:   Master’s Degree in Behavioral Science

Experience: Counseling experience working with Veterans and Active Duty Military Personnel.

Licensure:    Licensed in Washington State (or eligible within one month of hire) as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Essential:

• Knowledge of military and veterans culture.
• Knowledge of the classification of mental disorders contained in the current DSM.
• Ability to educate clients about signs, symptoms, and recovery from mental illness.
• Familiarity with treatment interventions with individuals who experience a brain disorder.
• Understanding of interventions with individuals with co-occurring disorders.
• Awareness of the impact of trauma on human development and psychopathology.
• Acquaintance with treatment methods used with victims of trauma.
• Knowledge of family systems.
• Ability to work independently.
• Understanding of current knowledge on recovery.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Capability to use sound judgment in problem solving and clinical intervention.
• Basic knowledge of psychotropic medications and side effects.
• Practice of respectful communication with clients to enhance rapport and positive outcomes.

NATURE AND SCOPE:

Physical Demands:

• Moderate physical effort occasionally lifting up to ten pounds.
• Must be able to tolerate working in an office setting for the required number of hours in a work day.

Cognitive Skills:

• Advanced verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be able to enter data into a computerized electronic medical record.
• Ability to effectively apply counseling theories and skills within a clinical environment.

Working Environment:

• May be exposed to infections and contagious diseases
• Occasionally exposed to patients exhibiting assaultive behaviors
• Works in a clean, well lighted, ventilated office.

Working Demands:

• Frequent pressure due to schedule demands
• Contact with patients under a wide variety of circumstances
• Subject to varying and unpredictable situations
• Handles emergency or crisis situations
• Will be required to work some evenings.

Principal Challenges:

• Working collaboratively with interdisciplinary staff.
• Working collaboratively with clients, family members, and other community members.
• Ensuring compliance with agency and funding standards for documentation and delivery of services.
• Working with a wide variety of clients with serious, persistent mental illness.