Therapist

Here at Community House Mental Health Agency, we strive to provide a supportive family atmosphere in Seattle and King County for people with severe and persistent mental illness. Each person who walks through our door has a unique story, and we believe that everyone deserves to feel welcomed and valued.  

 

The Outpatient Therapist works as part of a team to provide outpatient behavioral health services and community support. This position is responsible for providing treatment and care coordination based on client needs and the treatment plan, progress notes, and collaborative reviews for the assigned caseload, as well as support to all clients served as part of the care team.

 

At Community House, we value a strong work-life balance and aim to provide the best support for our workers. As a CHMHA employee, you will have access to a range of unique benefits, such as company-paid medical/dental/vision/disability insurance, a 403B retirement plan with employer match, continuing education credit, a personal unlimited Orca Card, and an employee assistance program with financial, mental, and legal assistance.  

 

SCHEDULE

Monday-Friday, 9:00am-4:00pm (35 hours/week, Full-Time)

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as Primary Clinician and/or Ancillary Therapist for assigned caseload, including advocating for and coordinating client needs and services; ensuring Service Plans, Crisis Plans, and other documentation are completed on time and kept up-to-date; and providing consistent therapy, skills training, and care coordination to work towards goals
• Review Therapy referrals with Supervisor to vet for therapy services
• Provide short term brief therapy as an ancillary therapist for clients referred and accepted for these services and for clients with whom you serve as primary clinician
•  Coordinate with relevant internal and external departments to coordinate client referrals, ensure timely intake into therapy/program and develop individualized plans.
• Collaborate with care team to ensure all clients access needed treatment, support, case management, and appointments, including transportation to external providers
•  Outreach to client in their homes or where they are staying in the community to assess living situation and stability, and provide treatment interventions when necessary
•  Ensure all interactions represent the five principles of trauma-informed care, including safety, choice, trustworthiness, collaboration, and empowerment
•  Assist in ensuring clients receive medications, including by supervising the medication window when needed, according to the seven "rights" of medication use: right person, right medication, right time, right dose, right route, right reason (including refusal), and right documentation per agency policies and training
•  Complete daily documentation in electronic medical record on client interactions for billable and non-billable activity, medications dispensed when assigned, and other required documentation, ensuring an interaction and subsequent documentation are completed for all assigned caseload at least twice monthly
•  Practice good financial stewardship of agency and contract resources, including how time is being spent, supplies are used, property is being maintained, etc.
•  Monitor spending of Petty Cash and other agency money to ensure accountability and appropriate use
• Meet identified key performance indicators and metrics for the position as identified for the program, division, and agency
•  Participate in discharge planning and written summaries of treatment as needed for client referral and releases of information
•  Complete Intakes for new clients entering services with Community House as assigned
•  Provide immediate crisis intervention and resolution as needed
•  Travel to other Community House sites and programs to provide ancillary therapy to referred clients and to provide therapeutic groups as assigned
•  Always maintain client and staff confidentiality

The Outpatient Therapist works with care team to ensure high standards of care are provided within the program, including but not limited to: 

• Providing appropriate levels of treatment, skills training, and assistance to clients in managing mental health symptoms and developing skills and insight to manage symptoms
•  Be available to support department as needed, ensuring all responsibilities are covered during staff vacancies and absences
• Collaborate with the broader CHMHA treatment team to support and advocate for clients as they work towards achieving their treatment and recovery goals
•  Coordinating care, such as scheduling, attending, and/or arranging transportation for appointments and other case management needs, including benefits
•  Maintaining and documenting in client charts and program trackers following agency, county, state, and federal guidelines
• Providing and receiving input as part of client’s care team on service plan and progress, and collaborating with other providers such as primary care provider, housing staff for entering/maintaining/exiting housing, etc
• Facilitating regular group and individual activities, encounters, and specialized client events, such as outings and holiday gatherings
• Working within the Day Treatment milieu to provide support for clients, coverage for staff, and attend to general team-based care needs.
• Performing other duties as assigned

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Master’s degree in Psychology, Counseling, Social Work and with 2+ years of relevant experience serving adults with severe and persistent mental illness preferred.  Experience can be pre Master’s degree 
2. Must meet MHP Requirements as outlined in RCW 71.05.020
       a. Social Worker, Mental Health Counselor, Mental Health counselor associate, marriage and family therapist, or marriage and family therapist associate
3. Successfully pass criminal background check before hire date.
4. Obtain/maintain valid First Aid/CPR card or certificate within 30 days of hire.
5. Hold a valid license for 1 year with clean driving record to use agency vehicles.
6. Have legible handwriting and ability to do simple mathematics.
7. Able to navigate and comprehend charts in electronic medical record.
8. Able to work independently and within a team.
9. Able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
10. Able to perform duties outlined above within reasonable accommodation.

 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Minimum 2 years of clinical experience working with individuals with severe and persistent mental health issues and/or substance use disorders.