Masters Level Therapist - Analenisgi MAT- $5,000 Hiring Bonus

Job Title: Masters Level Therapist (Adult) 

Job Code: MLTHER 

Department: Analenisgi 

Division: Behavioral Health 

Salary Level: Exempt 3 

Reports to: Adult Services Supervisor/MAT Services Supervisor 

Last Revised: March 2023 

Primary Function 

Provide comprehensive clinical assessments and treatment services for patients with mental 

health and substance abuse disorders who are EBCI and IHS eligible. Provide clinical screening 

and comprehensive clinical assessment, treatment plan development, and provision of 

individual, group and family therapy using evidenced based models. Employee will also provide 

referral/facilitation to high level of care, walk-in assessment, emergency, crisis intervention, and 

consultation and education services as needed. Serve individuals in various locations in the 

community as assigned. If assigned to a specific population or agency location, employee 

will follow policies and procedures developed for that unit. This position will primarily 

serve adults but may see children and families. 

Job Description 

 Provide services to EBCI and other eligible persons including comprehensive 

clinical assessments, treatment planning, individual, group and family therapy, and 

case management 

 Provide group therapy which may include: SAT, SAIOP, MAT Groups, Seeking 

Safety, Trauma Groups, Grief Group, DBT, CBT, EFT, DV groups and other 

groups related to client needs. 

 Working in collaboration with the treatment team, conduct a comprehensive 

clinical assessment to determine patients' needs and resources (both family and 

community support/resources). 

 Collaborate with the medical staff and other health professional/agencies in 

developing a viable therapeutic team network to facilitate and establish patterns of 

cooperative efforts and to facilitate patient care, discharge and follow-up. 

 Provide counseling to patient and family in matters directly related to patient care. 

 Develop and implement discharge plans, follow-up care, and transfers to other 

behavioral health facilities 

 Responsible for comprehensive clinical assessment, development of treatment plan, 

recommendations for intervention, supervision of treatment plan implementation, 

and case management referral. 

 Participate in clinical treatment team meetings to review data and adjust treatment 

plans as needed for client care. 

2 

 Responsible for conducting individual and family therapy sessions for identified 

behavioral health and substance use issues. 

 Provide walk-in access to services. Triage clients to determine priority, emergent, 

urgent, routine and work with team to ensure client is served in timely manner. 

 Adhering to ASAM criteria when referring client to appropriate level of care for 

substance use services. 

 Depending upon location of services maintain knowledge of all policies and 

procedures relevant to respective location; i.e., Cherokee Tribal Justice Center, 

Snowbird and Murphy Clinics, Analenisgi Inpatient, Analenisgi Outpatient, and 

Primary Care clinic. 

 When appropriate, participate as a member on the Cherokee Tribal Drug Court 

Team and provide updates, reports and recommendations to the Drug Court team. 

 Assists with observed urine drug screens as outlined in Analenisgi policies and 

procedures. 

 Attend supervision sessions relevant to specific certifications, credentials and/or 

licensure, such as but not limited to: LCSW, LCMHC, CDAC LCAS, CCS. 

 Collaborate with other agencies as advocates for clients. Such programs may 

include Family Safety Program, Tribal Court, Probation and Parole, Drug Court. 

 Follows the provisions contained in all applicable privacy/confidentiality policies, 

procedures, and practices for maintenance and release of patient records and 

clinical information, including EBCI, CIHA, IHS, DHHS, HIPPA, JCAHO, 42CFR 

or other licensing bodies. 

 Responsible for attending clinical staffing as an integral component of a treatment 

team, facilitating the discussion of patient data, and formulating changes to the 

treatment plan. 

 Development of individual treatment plans. Treatment plans must be consistent 

with the patient diagnosis, agency quality assurance guidelines, and level of care 

policies. 

 Assists in attaining and maintaining accreditation by the Joint Commission of 

Health Care Organizations. 

 Participates in department/program meetings to review and identify opportunities 

to improve the program and treatment provided, and recommend changes when 

problems are identified. This includes assisting with changes in policy and 

procedure, which would improve the care of service delivery. 

 Assist and/or make direct referrals to a higher level of care. 

 Develop partnerships with community agencies and outside organizations to 

coordinate patient care. 

 Timely record all treatment and clinically significant events in the medical record 

according to CIHA policies and procedures. 

 Provides written, telephonic, and face-to-face consultation services to various 

persons and organizations involved in the patient’s care. These include schools, 

courts, probation officers, physicians, hospitals, medical care providers, law 

enforcement officers, social services and community agencies. Regular progress 

reports are required for communicating with the court and judicial supervisors. 

Represent CIHA and the behavioral health program at regular team meetings for 

progress review and during emergency meetings dealing with high-risk situations. 

 Participate in community planning and implementation of programs. This position 

3 

is expected to meet the productivity standard established for this position. 

 Expected to obtain continuing education both through in-service training and 

through access to tuition payment for approved training seminars and workshops. 

 Participates in on call service rotation. 

 Provides clinical care and support to identified patients in the other departments at 

Cherokee Indian Hospital. 

 Covers other CIHA clinical locations when assigned i.e. Justice Center. 

 Learn and effectively utilize an electronic medical record and other software required for 

operation in the CIHA system. 

 This position is expected to provide sufficient billable/reimbursable services to 

achieve the 55% productivity standard established for this primary therapist 

position. 

 Operate in a support role as assigned in the Beauty for Ashes program and services 

 Other duties as assigned. 

Education/Experience/Minimum Qualifications 

 Master’s Degree in behavioral health field such as Social Work, Psychology, Marriage & 

Family Therapy, or Counseling required. Degree must be obtained from an accredited 

university that is accepted by appropriate licensing agencies in NC. 

 NC license LCSW, LPP, LCMHC or LMFT. A provisional or associate license may be 

accepted. 

 Must show competence in Substance Use either by licensure/certification from the NC 

Addictions Specialist Professional Practice Board or experience in substance abuse 

treatment. Specific positions may require licensure/certification from the NC Addictions 

Specialist Professional Practice Board. 

 Must be approved for and maintain medical credentialing, upon hire 

 Three years of diagnostic, therapeutic experience preferred. 

 Specific experience working with Native Americans preferred. 

 Must possess valid drivers' license. 

Job Knowledge

 Knowledge of individual, group and couples/family modalities with expertise in crises 

intervention with individual and families experiencing acute episodes of distress. 

 Ability to ascertain the potential lethality of a situation and respond and refer accordingly. 

 Ability to learn computerized treatment systems such as the Electronic Medical Record, 

RPMS and ability to maintain records and files manually and on the computer. 

 Displays originality and initiative to complete daily performance of tasks. 

 Knowledge of principles, techniques, and practices, and their application to complex 

casework, group work, and community problems. 

 Knowledge of a wide range of medical, behavioral and psychosocial problems and their 

treatment. 

 Knowledge of governmental and private organizations and resources in the community. 

 Knowledge of the laws, regulations, and policies, which govern the program. 

 Knowledge of medical terminology, disease processes, and their treatment as they relate 

to decisions regarding clinical interventions and appropriate therapies based on medical 

or psychological diagnosis. 

4 

 Knowledge of substance use to include diagnostic criteria for Substance Use Disorders, 

methods of evaluation and assessment, impact of behavioral health issues on patients 

ability to negotiate treatment recommendations, current treatment approaches, 

modalities of care, and substance use treatment programs and services available to 

patients. 

 Skill in establishing rapport with a patient and in applying techniques of assessing 

psychological, behavioral, and psychosocial aspects of patients problems. 

 Willingness learn more about Cherokee culture/population and to have considerations 

for this when identified. 

 Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of 

caseload and their families, other professional disciplines, and a variety of governmental 

and private resources and organizations in the community. 

 Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely and to plan and execute work effectively. 

Complexity of Duties

This position is responsible for assisting in maximizing the available resources to meet the 

behavioral health and substance use needs of the community. Must have the ability to 

interpret policy, laws and regulations in order to make decisions. Duties require the 

application of clinical judgment and problem solving skills in order to be effective.. 

Supervision Received

Works under the direct guidance of the Adult Services Supervisor Position must 

demonstrate considerable initiative and ability to work independently within applicable 

licensing regulations. Position must communicate effectively with supervisor to ensure 

alignment with organizational goals, mission, vision and values. 

Responsibility for Accuracy

Failure to provide adequate clinical services or to properly manage and direct activities 

could result in poor client outcomes, delays in patient treatment, and negative patient and 

community relations. Ineffective health planning could have adverse effects on the health 

status of the community by limiting access to necessary resources. Accuracy of data and 

research is critical in the allocation of tribal resources. Employee is responsible for the 

adherence to policy and procedure. 

Contact with Others

Interacts frequently with coworkers, hospital staff, patients, stakeholders and other health 

professionals for the purpose of exchanging information, obtaining, or providing 

assistance. Serves on various local, community, and health committees, boards and 

advisory councils, as appropriate. Tact, courtesy, and professional conduct are required to 

maintain positive working relationships. Utmost sensitivity and confidentiality is required 

when dealing with patients and families. 

Confidential Data 

The provision of medical care requires that the incumbent maintain strict confidentiality 

regarding all patient information. The employee will have access to patient records and 

highly confidential information and must function with utmost integrity to safe guard this 

5 

information. The employee complies with EBCI policy on confidentiality of patient 

records, Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority Confidentiality policy, HIPAA, 42CFR and 

other federal law requirements. Violations of confidentiality regulations may result 

disciplinary action and other action as allowed by federal regulations. 

Mental/Visual/Physical Environment 

Job duties can be mentally and emotionally stressful at times given the complexity of the 

duties. Close mental concentration and attention to detail are required. Physical activities 

require the ability to be mobile, sit, reach, bend, and be in front of groups and deliver 

training for extended periods of time. Some physical exertion and stamina is required such 

as required to transport training materials or to travel. Must be able to lift 30 lbs. 

 Position requires: stand (under 1/3 time); walk (under 1/3 time); sit (to 2/3 time)

Work Environment 

The employee works primarily in a hospital, inpatient or outpatient clinical environment 

but may be required to work at other offices and locations. The work environment involves 

moderate risks of exposure to infectious disease, radiation, electrical hazards, and irritant 

chemical and explosive gases. Employee must strictly adhere to OSHA guidelines and 

protocol for maintaining sterile conditions. 

Some travel is required. Infrequent overnight travel may be required for meetings or to 

attend training. 

Emergency Privileges 

In the case of an emergency, any member of the Medical Staff, to the degree permitted by 

his/her license shall be permitted to do everything possible to save a patient’s life or save 

a patient from serious harm, regardless of the individual’s clinical privileges. This shall be 

defined as those situations in which a delay could result in serious harm or death and in 

which a more qualified member is not immediately available. 

Customer Service 

Consistently demonstrates superior customer service skills to patients/customers by 

demonstrating characteristics that align with CIHA’s guiding principles and core values. 

Ensure excellent customer service is provided to all patients/customers by seeking out 

opportunities to be of service.