Mental Health Therapist, Licensed

Sea Mar Community Health Centers, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) founded in 1978, is a community-based organization committed to providing quality, comprehensive health, human, housing, educational and cultural services to diverse communities, specializing in service to Latinos in Washington State. Sea Mar proudly serves all persons without regard to race, ethnicity, immigration status, gender, or sexual orientation, and regardless of ability to pay for services. Sea Mar's network of services includes more than 90 medical, dental, and behavioral health clinics and a wide variety of nutritional, social, and educational services. We are recruiting for the following position: Sea Mar is a mandatory COVID-19 and flu vaccine organization Position Summary This individual provides diagnostic assessments, referrals for psychiatric services, and case management in coordination with other teams or parties involved in treatment. The Licensed Mental Health Therapist is responsible for providing care to chronically ill patients, patients who are part of the Intensive outpatient program, or patients who are considered high utilizers. The Licensed Mental Health Therapist is responsible for working with CDMHP’s, inpatient facilities, including Western State Hospital, and ensuring proper protocols are followed for hospitalization authorization and during discharge planning. In addition, the Licensed Mental Health Therapist provides individual counseling, crisis stabilization, suicide risk assessment and treatment plans, and leads groups. The Licensed Mental Health Therapist provides therapy to managed care patients that are pre-authorized to receive mental health treatment. The Licensed Mental Health Therapist provides clinical supervision to other clinicians who are perusing the Licensing requirements. The Licensed Mental Health Therapist assists the Program Manager and clinical supervisor to conduct clinical chart reviews. In addition, this person supports the agency efforts to ensure compliance with WACs, RCWs, and clinical contracts. This job description does not suggest or imply that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. This person will be required to follow other instructions and to perform other duties as assigned by his/her supervisor. Duties and Responsibilities As a mission-driven organization, the core values of, and the services offered at Sea Mar are based on the belief that everyone deserves to be respectfully treated in a way that preserves dignity and enhances self-worth. Sea Mar is an advocate for its clients and aims to achieve industry-leading, client-centered, culturally aware services. Sea Mar employees serve as an extension of this mission and demonstrate their commitment to an excellent client experience by:  Understanding and empathizing with client needs  Surpassing client expectations  Demonstrating a high level of integrity  Exhibiting compassion and commitment  Advocating for social justice  Taking pride in individual work as well as that of the team  Continually learning to stay current with industry standards, best practices and technology As a Sea Mar employee, the individual in this position commits to adherence to these values to their utmost ability and endeavors to strengthen and embody this mission daily. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. ADMINISTRATIVE  The LMHT maintains a caseload in compliance with agency caseload and productivity requirements.  Assists in ensuring agency compliance with WAC's, RCW's, and other pertinent laws, regulations, and contracts.  Assists in developing and implementing policies and procedures as directed by the Program Manager.  Educates staff regarding the process for health service referrals and regarding "Psychoeducational topics (suicide risk assessment, behavior modification, evidence-based practices, etc.) as directed by the Program Director and/or clinical supervisor.  Maintains documentation of health services, and follows through on patient charts, including but not limited to: intake, assessment, treatment plan, crisis plan, RSN paper work, clinical encounters, 180 reviews, special population consultations, etc. CLINICAL DUTIES  Provides diagnostic assessments for each patient during the program. Documents outcomes, justifies diagnoses, and communicates with the primary care provider, chemical dependency counselor and other individuals involved in the client’s clinical care.  Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served.  Demonstrates clinical competencies and proper use of approved diagnostic tools to justify clinical diagnosis and practices.  Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span.  Possesses a clear understanding and proper use of the clinical practice guidelines.  Has the ability to identify and categorize each patient’s age-specific grouping of needs, such as those for infant, adolescent, or geriatric patients.  Refers patients to psychiatric services as appropriate. Gathers record materials and background information as needed by the community health center (See Policies and Procedures). Coordinates care with the psychiatric service provider to insure accuracy of presentation and that identified needs are addressed. Provides monitoring regarding the effects of medications, and feedback to the psychiatrist regarding effects/side effects.  Provides consultation to Sea Mar staff regarding health and behavioral issues and develops treatment plans with staff to address emotional needs and behavioral problems identified for patients.  Provides individual counseling in coordination with other systems as needed.  Provides suicide risk assessment and develops treatment plans to address suicidal ideations or gestures. Uses case management as needed to provide follow through and build community support as follow through. Provides other crisis stabilization as needed.  Gathers information regarding past health services to be used in the individual’s treatment plan development. Provides referrals to patients prior to or following admission, and exchange information with outside service providers. PRODUCTIVITY STANDARD  Produces at a minimum 4 treatment encounters per day and at a minimum 920 clinical encounters per year. Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  Understanding of the BHO contract requirements, enrollment, crisis requirement, 180 review requirements and discharge planning.  Works effectively with all persons and groups with an open mind towards cultural differences and knowledge of cultures.  Works effectively in an integrated care team, including but not limited to clinical supervisor, psychiatric prescriber, case manager, financial case manager, and care coordination with primary care providers.  Must have the ability to accurately diagnose mental health issues and develop treatment plans based upon diagnoses.  Has an understanding of chemical dependency as it relates to behavioral health clients and an ability to coordinate with chemical dependency treatment providers to ensure the needs of clients with co-occurring conditions are met.  The Licensed Mental Health Therapist must sign a permanent oath of confidentiality covering all patient related information. LANGUAGE SKILLS  Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.  Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.  Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization. MATHEMATICAL SKILLS  Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.  Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to create and interpret bar graphs. REASONING ABILITY  Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.  Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Experience, Certificates, Licenses, Registrations, and Medical Screening EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE  Must hold a master’s degree from an accredited college or university in psychology, counseling, or social work which includes coursework in psychological diagnostics.  Four or more years of clinical experience in the field.  Responsible for his/her individual continuing education hours and licensing fees. The Licensed Mental Health provider must possess an active, approved license from the Washington State Department of Health at all times. Must meet criteria of a Mental Health Professional (MHP).  Must hold and maintain an active Washington State Mental Health Counselor License, Marriage and Family Therapist License, or Independent Clinical Social Worker License. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS • Must take a TB test annually and at time of hire. • This person must pass a background check. • Must complete an annual clinical competency test as a mental health therapist. • Annual influenza vaccine required. Only exception is for employees with a medical or religious exemption approved by Administration. Employees with an approved medical or religious exemption must wear a mask at all time during the flu season. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Additional evening/weekend hours may be required to fulfill the duties of this position. Physical Requirements The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and sit. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Salary - Salary Plan, 92,164.80 USD Annual What We Offer: Sea Mar offers talented and motivated people the opportunity to work in a dynamic and growing community health organization. Working at Sea Mar Community Health Centers is more than just a job, it’s a fulfilling career with opportunity for advancement. The fringe benefits surpass most companies. For example, Full-time employees working 30 hours or more, receive an excellent benefit package of: Medical Dental Vision Prescription coverage Life Insurance Long Term Disability EAP (Employee Assistance Program) Paid-time-off starting at 24 days per year + 10 paid Holidays. We also offer 401(k)/Retirement options and an exciting opportunity to work in a culturally diverse environment. Sea Mar is an equal opportunity employer. Please visit our website to learn more about us at . You may also apply thru our Career page at this link.