DEFINITION:

Under general supervision, the LBHP performs advanced level work involved in providing psychological services. This member of the PACT multidisciplinary team has training in one of the mental health professions (e.g. nursing, social work, rehabilitation, counseling or psychology) and clinical skill and experience to assess, plan, develop, coordinate and provide treatment, rehabilitation and support services to clients with severe and persistent mental illnesses under the clinical supervision of the team leader and the psychiatrist. Functions as a clinical member of the multidisciplinary team and provides treatment, rehabilitation and support services. The LBHP may be designated by the team leader to function as the lead mental health professional, lead registered nurse, a team vocational specialist or substance use specialist as applicable. The Department Head for this position is the Chief Clinical Officer of Adult Services. This position is immediately supervised by the Adult Services Administrator and/or PACT Team Lead.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Responsible and immediately supervised by the Adult Services Administrator and/or PACT Team Lead:

• Provide case management for an assigned group of clients including coordinating and monitoring duties of the individual treatment team, assume primary responsibility for developing, writing, implementing, evaluating and revising overall treatment goals and plan in conjunction with individual supportive therapy and symptom management
• Ensure immediate changes are made with treatment plans as clients’ needs change
• Ensure appropriate interventions are provided in response to changes in mental status or behavior which put clients at risk (e.g. suicidality).
• Educate and support clients’ families and advocate for their rights and preferences.
• Conduct comprehensive assessment of psychiatric history (e.g. onset, course and effect of illness, treatment and responses and risk behaviors) mental status, and diagnosis, physical health, use of drugs or alcohol, education and employment, social development and functioning acts of daily living (e.g. self-care, living situation, nutrition, money management) and family structure relationships.
• Act as a liaison and consult with community agencies and families to maintain coordination in the treatment process.
• Document client progress to maintain a permanent record of client activity according to established methods and procedures.
• Participate in daily staff organization meeting and treatment planning review meetings.
• Participate in providing treatment of substance use and other treatment services as applicable.
• Provide crisis intervention services as assigned.
• Provide ongoing assessment of clients’ mental illness symptoms and clients’ response to treatment.
• Provide symptom education to enable clients to identify their mental illness symptoms.
• Provide direct clinical services to clients on an individual, group and family basis in the office and in community setting.
• Teach behavioral symptom-management techniques to alleviate and manage symptoms not reduced by medication
• Promote personal growth and development by assisting clients to adapt to and cope with internal and external stresses.
• Provide multiple-stage individual and group treatment in the office and in community setting.
• Develop trusting relationships with clients so that they may more freely discuss substance use and its effect on mental and physical health and daily functioning.
• Set treatment goals and plans with clients to reduce or abstain from substance use and to learn replacement behaviors.
• Studies and evaluates the needs and abilities of the client.
• Assists clients in improving their ability to function in society through use of their own strengths and through use of community resources.
• Responsible for service provisions, as needed.

General Job Requirements

• This job does require the selected candidate to possess a current and valid driver’s license, to have a clean driving record and reliable transportation.
• Employee must be willing and able to perform all job-related travel normally associated with this position.
• Performs other reasonably related duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor or other management as requested.
• Meet or exceed “satisfactory” expectations at any scheduled job performance evaluation.
• Regular and predictable attendance is essential and expected for this position.

Must perform the specific job duties as listed above to meet position expectations. Quality of work will be evaluated through training, skill, or special purpose.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Must meet the following licensure requirements:

• Current physician license in Allopathic or Osteopathic AND

• Board certification in psychiatry OR
• Board eligible in the state in which services are provided OR
• Current resident in psychiatry practicing.
• Practitioners with a license to practice in the state in which services are provided, by one of the licensing boards listed in (A) through (F) below. The exemptions from licensure under 59 §1353 (4) (Supp. 2000) and (5), 59 §1903 (C) and (D) (Supp. 2000), 59 §1925.3 (B) (Supp. 2000) and (C), and 59 §1932 (C) (Supp. 2000) and (D) do not apply to Outpatient Behavioral Health Services.
  • Psychology,
  • Social Work (clinical specialty only),
  • Professional Counselor,
  • Marriage and Family Therapist,
  • Behavioral Practitioner, or
  • Alcohol and Drug Counselor

An expectation of core competencies in relation to individuals with co-occurring disorders.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

Knowledge of the principles and tests, the application of psychological theories with respect to group and individual behavior; of mental illness, its symptoms, treatment and social implications in relation to patients and family.

Skill in diagnosing and developing treatment plans; evaluating a wide variety of clinical data; in carrying out courses of treatment; in counseling and guiding individuals; and in communicating clearly, both orally and in writing.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of social work and/or psychology and of current social and economic problems.

Knowledge of case management, counseling and psychotherapy techniques for individuals, families and groups.

Knowledge of personality development and structure.

Knowledge of diagnostic formulations – current categories and psychotropic medication.

Knowledge of ability to interpret appropriate psychological testing reports.

Knowledge of general age groups and other special populations.

Skill to adapt to a variety of settings.

Cooperation and mature judgement are key components in working with clients, staff, management and other professional groups to ensure the best quality treatment is provided for each individual client.