Behavioral Health Therapist (LCPC or LCSW)

Behavioral Health Therapist (BHT) are responsible for:

Under general supervision, maintains complex mental health or substance use disorder caseload. Provides support, intervention, direction, and conflict resolution to encourage patients to address and develop a recovery plan around mental health and/or substance use stressors and disorders. 

 

Essential Job Responsibilities:

• Conducts comprehensive assessments and develops and implements complex treatment plans for patients with mental health issues which can also include substance use and trauma. As a Licensed Practitioner of the Healing Arts (LPHA) responsible for review and signatory approval of mental health assessments and treatment plans completed by non-LPHA staff.
• Maintains complex caseload, including conducting comprehensive assessments, preparing individualized treatment plans. Maintains regular contact with insurance providers to report patient treatment progress and obtain required certifications for continued stays. Reports caseload activities and progress to supervisor.
• Prepares and conducts group or individual therapy to address specific social mental health issues to promote the development of effective life skills to support a healthy lifestyle.
• Provides case management services to assist patients with managing mental health and/or substance use disorders, developing individualized recovery plans, and linking to supports to help them maintain these life changes.
• Develops and implements complex treatment and discharge plans for patients with mental health and/or substance use issues; and conducts intensive or comprehensive interventions (family counseling/support, etc.).
• Serves on a variety of departments or site committees necessary to plan and evaluate treatment programs and patient services. Develops and contributes to improvement of treatment protocols, procedures and outcomes.
• Documents treatment plans, narrative progress notes, interventions, treatments, evaluations, discharge summaries, and treatment plan reviews. Maintains patient records and charts to ensure organizational, regulatory, accreditation, and contractual standards.
• May serves as a professional resource to the clinical team by auditing patient records to ensure compliance with required documentation and service delivery by providing assessments of mental health and/or substance use patients.
• Consults with clinical staff to resolve complex case problems by implementing case-appropriate procedures, modalities and techniques.
• May develops and conduct in-service and continuing education programs on subjects related to assigned specialty for other Counselors as appropriate. 
• Serves as a professional resource in resolving complex case problems and provides clinical guidance as needed.

 

Job Requirements:

• Master’s degree in psychology, social work, mental health counseling, substance use disorder counseling or related field, required.
• Minimum of 2 years counseling experience in the mental health or substance use disorder field, required.
• Ability to complete accurate and comprehensive assessments and DSM diagnosis.
• Current, valid credential (LCPC, LCSW or higher level) required. For Mental Health Programs this license designates staff as a LPHA.
• Comprehensive knowledge of family, group and individual dynamics, conflict resolution and intervention techniques.
• Knowledge of federal and state rules and regulations governing health records confidentiality.
• Time and project management skills.
• Advanced communication skills to exchange information and interact with treatment team, patients, patient families and outside vendors and agencies.
• Active listening skills and social perceptiveness.
• Critical thinking, persuasion and negotiation skills.
• Adaptability/Flexibility: ability to shift priorities.
• Basic coaching / mentoring skills.

 

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to walk and move about the facilities for up to two hours at a time, to monitor and interact with patients.
• Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Ability to record, proofread and check documents and files for accuracy.
• Ability to use a keyboard and video display terminal to receive, retrieve, and/or audit information and data.
• Ability to respond to telephones, and to hear and detect alarms and unusual noises.

 

Work Environment:

• Works in a typical office or clinical environment where there are relatively few discomforts due to dust, dirt, noise and the like. Occasional exposure to contagious diseases, but potential for harm is limited if established safety and infection control precautions are followed.
• Regularly exposed to hazards of driving, but potential for harm is limited if safe vehicle operation procedures are followed.

 

Compensation (based on experience and credentials):

• Range is between $60,664 - $94,498 annually
• Gateway Foundation conducts annual reviews including merit increases.