Masters Level Therapist - Dora Reed

Job Title: Masters Level Therapist-Child 

Job Code: MLTCHILD 

Department: Family Safety Service 

Division: Behavioral Health 

Salary Level: Exempt 3 

Reports to: Family Safety Supervisor 

Last Revised: March 2023 

Primary Function 

Provide comprehensive clinical assessments and treatment services for patients with 

behavioral health and substance abuse disorders who are Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indian 

(EBCI) and Indian Health Service (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 walk-in 

assessment, emergency, crisis intervention, 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 children and families. 

Direct Service Duties 

 Provide direct clinical services to EBCI and other eligible persons in all approved 

locations including the hospital, child outpatient office, Graham and Cherokee County 

offices, as well as other satellite locations. 

 Clinical services offered will include the following: 

o Comprehensive Clinical Assessment – The CCA is a term used to include a 

number of assessments and evaluations that are administered based on the 

patients clinical presentation. Some of the elements of the CCA are general 

health and behavioral health history, bio-psycho-social history, description of 

current challenges, strengths, recommendations for services, clinical summary 

of information/data gathered about the patient, as well as other needed 

dimensions of the patient’s life. 

o Person Centered Treatment Planning – Planning process will include the 

patient and they should be the one guiding the session. Additionally, it will 

include input from family members, and community supports whenever 

possible. The planning process will be based on clearly defined problems and 

needs. The goals in the plan should be based on patients’ needs, strengths, and 

limitations. Additionally, goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, 

realistic, and time limited 

o Individual Therapy – Therapy sessions will utilize a currently accepted models, 

theories and/or approaches to therapy. 

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o Family Therapy – Whenever possible, as much of the patient’s family will be 

involved in Family Therapy on a regular basis as part of the patient’s treatment. 

o Group Therapy – When appropriate and available, patient will attend group 

sessions. Group sessions can be access in conjunction with and/or replace 

Individual Therapy dependent on patient’s clinical needs. 

o Crisis Services – Crisis Services are offered through an On-call warm line. 

Patient will be informed of the number to the warm line. Therapist will share 

the responsibility of staffing the warm line. 

o Referral to clinical services outside of Analenisgi – If/when the patient has 

needs that are not offered or currently available at Analenisgi, clinician will 

support the individual in receiving the needed service by referring them to an 

agency that offers the service. 

 Collaborate with treatment teams, medical staff, and other health professionals to 

determine the patients’ needs and resources (including both family and community). 

 Insure interdisciplinary teams stay informed of changing therapeutic needs relating to 

their involvement with the client. 

 Ensure documentation of all treatment and clinically significant events in Electronic 

Health Record as prescribed by CIHA policies and procedures and quality assurance 

standards. 

 Collaborate with other professionals and agencies to develop a viable therapeutic team 

network to facilitate patient care, discharge and follow up. 

 Adhere to all applicable confidentiality policies, procedures, and practices for 

maintenance and release of patient records. 

 Responsible for completion of intake forms, identification of community resources, 

patient assessment, provision and coordination of supportive services, patient advocacy. 

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

procedures, and practices including EBCI, CIHA, IHS, DHHS, HIPPA, CFR 42, 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. 

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

Care Organizations. 

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

improve the program and treatment provided, and recommend corrective action when 

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

which would improve the care of service delivery. 

 Participates in the provision of periodic in-service training for non-health care 

practitioner members of the clinical and administrative staff on subjects pertaining to 

clinical and case management, services. This shall include responsibility for developing 

and implementing psycho educational programs, community relations, information and 

referral. 

 Participate in community planning and implementation of programs to help resolve such 

complex issues as improving coordination of services. Represents the CIHA Analenisgi 

at regular team meetings for progress review and during emergency meetings dealing 

with high-risk situations. 

 Provides written, telephone, and face to face consultation services to various persons 

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and organizations which affect the patient 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. Represents the A na le ni sgi 

Center at regular team meetings for progress review and during emergency meetings 

dealing with high-risk situations. 

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

access and tuition payment for approved training seminars and workshops. Present 

overview of training to team. 

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

Cherokee Indian Hospital. 

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

operation in the CIHA system. 

 Provides crisis response to the CIHA Emergency Department as needed. 

 Adhere to ASAM, LOCUS, CALOCUS or other appropriate criteria when referring 

client to level of care recommended. 

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

procedures. 

 Provides written, telephone, and face to face consultation services to various persons 

and organizations which affect the patient These include home, residential setting, 

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. 

Represents the A na le ni sgi Center at regular team meetings for progress review and 

during emergency meetings dealing with high-risk situations. 

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

the productivity standard established for this position. 

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

Care Organizations. 

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

improve the program and treatment provided, and recommend corrective action when 

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

which would improve the care of service delivery. 

 Ensure knowledge or efforts to understand strengths and challenges of those served. 

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

 Other duties as assigned. 

Education/Experience/Qualifications 

Required 

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

 Must possess valid drivers' license. 

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Preferred 

 Specific experience working with Native Americans. 

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. 

 Knowledge of substance abuse to include diagnostic criteria for abuse, dependence, 

intoxication and withdrawal of all drug classifications, 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 abuse and other programs or 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 needs of the community. Must have the ability to interpret policy, 

laws and regulations in order to make decisions when a precedent is not available. Duties 

require the application of clinical judgment and problem solving skills in order to be 

effective. Judgment often involves decisions that may have life or death results. 

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Supervision Received

Works under the direct guidance of the Family Safety Supervisor where responsibilities 

and assignments are often broadly defined. Position must demonstrate considerable 

initiative and ability to work independently within applicable licensing regulations where 

latitude for creative thinking, initiative and discretion are given to achieve department 

goals and objectives. 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. Inappropriate actions or inaccuracies in judgment 

could result in improper diagnosis and treatment, serious liability for the tribe, or serious 

health risks to patients. 

Contacts 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 appropriate 

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 information. The employee complies with EBCI policy on 

confidentiality of patient records, Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority Confidentiality 

policy, HIPAA, and other federal law requirements. Violations of confidentiality 

regulations may result inter-disciplinary action and other action as allowed by federal 

regulations. 

Mental/Visual/Physical 

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

duties, management and supervision of staff and the clinical areas being addressed with 

the people being served. 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 have 

visual acuity, manual dexterity, and the ability to speak and hear. Must be able to lift 30 

lbs. 

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

or hear (over 2/3 time). 

 Weight lifted or force exerted: none. 

 Special vision requirements: Close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less). 

Environment 

The employee works primarily in the PHHS Family Safety Building or different areas out 

in the community, 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, irritant chemicals 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.