Clinician III Associate

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position reports to the Manager and/or Director of the service and the Medical Director within the department. Provides direct and indirect age appropriate clinical services to those in need of substance use and/or psychiatric services. Core skills may include crisis assessment, intake assessment, individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, treatment planning, case management, team/community collaboration, patient/family education and triage/discharge planning. As skill sets permits, may provide flexible coverage to another service within Behavioral Health on a short-term basis. Creates a caring and compassionate environment through the Core Values of Teamwork, Communication, Respect and Caring.

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION:

• This position requires a minimum of Master’s degree and Connecticut licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPCA) or Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW).

EXPERIENCE:

• Level of care and age-specific competencies are required.
• Training and/or familiarity with Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), familiarity with abuse and neglect reporting and duty-to-warn mandates, knowledge of community-based resources and experience with pre-authorization and billing processes is preferred.

COMPETENCIES:

• Strong clinical skills including a demonstrated strength in team orientation with the ability to function effectively, at times independently, in a work environment where multitasking is necessary.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills using the English language is essential.
• Computer competency with basic knowledge of Microsoft Word and Outlook, Must be flexible in approach so that service- specific as well as overall system needs can be met.
• Employee must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and have access to reliable transportation to travel between multiple work sites in order to perform essential duties.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

Disclaimer: Job descriptions are not intended, nor should they be construed to be, exhaustive lists of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with the job.  They are intended to be accurate reflections of the principal duties and responsibilities of this position.  These responsibilities and competencies listed below may change from time to time.

Job-Specific Competency

1. Demonstrates skill in gathering and assessing comprehensive information regarding bio-psychosocial influences and etiology of substance use and psychiatric disorders as evidenced by documentation, participation in clinical team meetings, individual and/or group supervision.
2. Develops, implements and modifies treatment plans, interventions and disposition/discharge plans as needed addressing age-specific and substance use and/or psychiatric issues with professional standards and per department guidelines as evidenced by chart reviews and supervisor observation.
3. Realistically assesses and reassesses progress and revises formulation and diagnosis as indicated, as evidenced by treatment plan updates and participation in clinical team meetings and in individual and/or group supervision.
4. Completes all required releases of information, requested forms and other reporting requirements in a timely manner in accordance with Department of Children and Families (DCF), Adult Probation, etc., during treatment and through discharge, as evidenced by chart audit.
5. Completes all requested forms, letters and documentation requirements with accuracy and thoroughness in a timely manner and in accordance with JCAHO, Managed Care and other standards with program must comply as evidenced by chart audit.
6. Demonstrates ability to identify obstacles and barriers that interfere with treatment compliance and resolve issues, as evidenced by discharge planning and treatment outcome evidenced by chart audit and supervisor observation.
7. Makes timely and appropriate referrals demonstrating knowledge of levels of care and appropriate community and treatment resources as evidenced by supervisor observations.
8. Facilitates skill development by careful planning of therapeutic groups, DBT groups, individual and family interventions, as evidenced by direct observation, documentation of progress and/or individual or group supervision.
9. Actively participates in and contributes to clinical team meetings, individual and/or group supervision to enhance patient outcomes through generation and dissemination of accurate case formulation identifying and documenting realistic treatment goals evidenced by supervisor observation.
10. Communicates effectively and consistently with team members including appropriate department staff (medical director, psychiatrists, nursing staff, leadership, etc.) as evidenced by feedback from staff as well as supervisor observation.
11. Performs conscientiously and productively and fulfills responsibilities without reminder, as evidenced by direct observation, and chart audit.
12. Exercises good judgment in seeking help and when acting independently, as evidenced by direct observation and individual and/or group supervision.
13. Demonstrates flexibility in meeting the fluctuating staffing needs of the department, as evidenced by willingness to adjust scheduled hours and assignments in accordance with the needs of the program, as evidenced by supervisor observation.
14. Effectively uses psychological and physical management techniques to manage violent or potentially violent situations consistent with non-violent crisis intervention training (CPI), as evidenced by peer feedback, supervisor observation with participation in Early Response codes and Dr. Strong codes and attendance at CPI refresher trainings.
15. Conveys warmth, genuineness and empathy and respects the patient as a whole person with strengths and needs, as evidenced through direct observation and patient feedback.
16. Demonstrates knowledge and respect for cultural differences in respect to the treatment approach, as evidenced through documentation and in clinical team meetings.
17. Demonstrates an awareness of the impact of his/her behavior on peers’ and clients’ behaviors, as evidenced by their ability self-assess in individual and/or group supervision.