Clinical Therapist, Behavioral Health Unit

Position Title

Clinical Therapist, Behavioral Health Unit

Job Description

Purpose & Scope :

A licensed Clinical Social Worker will provide counseling services to patients individually and / or in a group setting, utilizing clinical counseling principles, methods, or procedures to assist individuals in achieving their established goals as outlined in their individual treatment plans resulting in achieving outcomes that are consistent with becoming sober and / or healthier in personal, physical, social, and psychological wellbeing.

"Apply clinical counseling principles, methods, and procedures," means an approach to counseling that emphasizes the counselor's role in systematically assisting clients through all of the following :

Assessing and analyzing emotional conditions, exploring possible solutions, and developing and providing a treatment plan for mental and emotional adjustment or development and / or substance abuse disorder, as applicable. It may include counseling, appraisal, consulting, supervision, administration and referral.

Engaging in the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders within the scope of laws and regulations of the Virginia Department of Health Professions.

Providing training supervision for students and registered counselor trainees as requested by the program or unit director, when services are within the student or trainee's scope of practice, which does not include supervision of the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders.

Education :

Master's degree in social work is required.

Experience :

Two years of experience in behavioral health is required.

Certification / Licensure :

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) by the Virginia Department of Health Professions

is required.

Other Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of providing care to individuals who may be emotionally disturbed, socially dysfunctional, behaviorally disordered, suffer from mental illness and / or substance use disorders, and their families
• As applicable, thorough knowledge of the ASAM (American Society of Addiction Medicine) standards and regulations and ability to apply ASAM criteria to each patient through documentation and their individual service plan
• Thorough knowledge of community resources and human services networks
• Thorough knowledge of community-based behavioral health principles and evidence-based psychotherapeutic treatment techniques
• Thorough knowledge of the theories and techniques of counseling and crisis intervention
• Thorough knowledge of intake techniques and procedures; ability to evaluate and screen clients; ability to prepare adequate records and to report findings and data effectively in line with all ASAM regulations and the Department of Behavioral Health and Disability Services (DBHDS) regulations in the Commonwealth of Virginia
• Ability to solve problems within scope of responsibility
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers, physicians, clients and their families, associates, community partners, medical personnel, law enforcement, State and Federal agency representatives and the general public
• Ability to monitor and evaluate the quality and appropriateness of social services furnished
• Responsibilities include but are not limited to participating in discharge planning arranging for follow-up care and developing mechanisms for exchange of appropriate information with appropriate sources outside the hospital
• Ability to ensure the provision of a robust therapeutic activities program that meets the needs and interests of patients and be directed towards restoring an maintaining optimal levels of physical and psychosocial functioning
• Provide robust comprehensive therapeutic activities consistent with each patient's active treatment program
• Knowledge of the rules and regulations of the Office of Human Rights (OHR) in the Commonwealth of Virginia