Hospital for Behavioral Medicine (HBM) specializes in mental health treatment. Our 120-bed facility is equipped with the latest safety features designed to provide patients with a comfortable environment to receive therapeutic care. Situated in Worcester County, Hospital for Behavioral Medicine is the newest mental health facility of its kind in the state of Massachusetts and is a joint venture between HBM and UMass Memorial Health Care. A short drive from the UMass Memorial Medical Center, HBM is designed to serve members of the community both near and far.

To learn more about Hospital for Behavioral Medicine, please visit: https://www.hospitalforbehavioralmedicine.com/

If you feel that your skills and compassion fit with our vision for person-centered care and want to make a difference in your community, we invite you to apply today!

Position Details

This position is a 13 week contract position paid on a bi-weekly salaried basis at:

• License Eligible/LCSW: $4,400 bi-weekly
• LICSW/LMHC: $4,800 bi-weekly

HBM is currently seeking to fill various shifts. Please select your shift availability during the application process.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Program Therapist performs social services functions to include assisting patients in meeting their bio psychosocial needs while enabling them to access through therapeutic treatment skills to achieve their optimal level of emotional health, including providing basic consultation, teaching, complete specialized clinical social work services for patients/families receiving care, crisis intervention, short-term and long-term family therapy, and providing information and referrals as needed.

Therapeutic Services/Competencies

Intervention

• Utilize a variety of techniques to assist in the resolution of patient problems.
• Effectively employ principles of communication, interviewing techniques, problem solving and crisis intervention when performing psychotherapeutic interventions.
• Ensure interventions are carried out in the patients plan of care.
• Utilize appropriate interventions in psychiatric emergencies.
• Document and report infections to the Infection Control Nurse.
• Assist with reviewing all new admissions to ensure completion of essential paperwork.

Milieu

• Utilizes universal precautions when caring for a patient.
• Assures patients are adequately oriented to the program.
• Monitor program activities and encourage patient participation.
• Uses self as a role model to promote health communication.
• Develop and facilitate groups for patients and/or significant others as appropriate.

Treatment Planning

• Participate in the development of an interdisciplinary treatment plan based on patient assessment/needs in compliance with facility time frames.
• Ensure that the treatment plan has specific measurable goals, objectives and interventions defining actions unique to each patients needs.
• As appropriate, when goals/objectives are met, participate in revision and update.
• Assigns and directs other personnel in the implementation of the nursing care plans and verifies this care through direct observation and review of the chart.

Teaching

• Provide education to patients and families based on their identified needs and limitations in learning.
• Promote learning experiences and provide educational materials to patients and their families.
• Evaluate and document effectiveness of all patient teaching.
• Provide opportunities for patient and families to questions, discuss and explore their feelings about prescribed therapies/interventions/diagnosis.

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

• Maintain knowledge of the Child Program rules, protocols and handbooks guidelines.
• Maintain knowledge 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.
• Assess patients for behaviors consistent with the developmental stages and make note of any deviations in behavior.
• Recognize acting out behavior of child specific age group and set appropriate limits in clear, concise, behavioral and non-judgmental terms based on the age of the patient.
• Demonstrate an awareness of learning disabilities and translates treatment/program expectations to the learning disabled child.
• Relate to child patients in an age appropriate manner.
• Utilize seclusion and restraint procedures with an understanding of the need for modification in regard to smaller body sizes of children, abandonment issues and the history of physical and/or sexual abuse issue.
• Act as a resource to other staff in regard to the Child Patient Programs.

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

• Maintain knowledge of the Adolescent Program rules, protocols and handbooks guidelines.
• Assess patients for behaviors consistent with the developmental stages and makes note of any deviations in behavior.
• Recognize acting out behavior of adolescent specific age group and set appropriate limits in clear, concise, behavioral and non-judgmental terms based on the age of the patient.
• Demonstrate an awareness of learning disabilities and translates treatment/program expectations to the learning disabled adolescent.
• Relate to adolescent patients in an age appropriate manner.
• Utilize seclusion and restraint procedures with an understanding of the need for modification in regard to smaller body sizes of adolescents, abandonment issues and the history of physical and/or sexual abuse issue.
• Act as a resource to other staff in regard to the Adolescent Patient Programs.

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

• Gather information from the patient, family and interdisciplinary team and use judgments based on knowledge of adult behaviors in treatment planning and interventions.
• Recognize behaviors and set appropriate limits in clear, concise, behaviors and non-judgmental terms.
• Utilize seclusion/restraint procedures applicable to adult body size and past history of violent or emotional behaviors.
• Maintain current knowledge of the Adult Program rules, protocols and handbook guidelines.
• 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

• Maintain knowledge of the developmental tasks and sociological theories of aging.
• Utilize theoretical concepts to guide the effective practice of gerontological health care and behavioral care.
• Gather the appropriate information from the patient, family and interdisciplinary team and use therapeutic judgments based on knowledge of gerontological health/behavioral care practices to develop a comprehensive plan of care.
• Utilize interventions based on gerontological theory to restore patients functional capabilities and to prevent complications and excess disability.
• Maintain a complete knowledge of treatments, medications and side effects of such in the geriatric age group.

Specific Standards for the Care of Chemically Dependent Patients

• Assesses patient needs as related to chemical dependency and document the plan of care from the admission through discharge.
• Collaborate with other chemical dependency staff professionals in planning for discharge and follow-up care.
• Maintain an awareness of how personal issues relating the co-dependency can impact work performance/relationships.
• Recognize and establish limits on medication-seeking behaviors.

Additional Standards

• 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, attendance and punctuality.
• Support facility-wide quality/performance improvement goals and objectives.
• Maintain confidentiality of facility employees and patient information.

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

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

Experience: 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; and have strong clinical assessment skills preferred.

License: Massachusetts State license in social work or clinical related mental health field preferred. (LCSW, LICSW, or LMHC)

Additional Requirements: CPR certification and management of aggressive behavior training within 30 days of employment prior to assisting in a restraining procedure. Must be able to pass a competency exam for the area upon hire. May be required to work flexible hours and overtime.

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 MENTAL ABILITIES REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION.

• Knowledge of family and group therapy techniques.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention procedures.
• Knowledge of strong clinical assessment skills.
• Knowledge of therapeutic planning and techniques.
• Strong clinical assessment skills
• 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 judgment and to maintain confidentiality of information.
• Ability to work as a team player.
• Ability to demonstrate tact, resourcefulness, patience and 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, adult and geriatric).
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to meet corporate deadlines.
• Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations.