Lived Experience Clinician - Mental Health and Substance Use Services

Position Title: Lived Experience Clinician -Mental Health and Substant Use Service

Reports To: Manager, Intensive Outpatient Services or Manager, Supportive Counseling and Outpatient Services

Broad Function: Provide mental health and substance use counseling

I. Core Values

• Demonstrates cultural competence through an awareness of and sensitivity towards Agency’s clients’ and coworkers’ cultural and socioeconomic characteristics i.e. is flexible in presentation of profession self, has the ability to “connect” with diverse populations, and has the skills to integrate culture throughout the clinical process with respect to race, color, creed, religion, gender, ethnicity, language, sexual orientation, age, appearance, mental and/or physical capability, etc. (* Culture is defined as membership in a group that has shared values, experiences and beliefs.)
• Is committed to the value of a nurturing family as the ideal environment for a child and believes in the capacity of people to grow and change.
• Works from a strengths-based perspective.
• Understands and works well with other service systems (i.e.; child protective, juvenile justice, division on aging, probation and parole), maximizes resources to assist client.
• Recognizes that consumers come first and responds to consumers appropriately.
• Knows and adheres to all FC Policies and Procedures, participates in a Subcommittee and/or keeps abreast of and adheres to QI policies and procedures.
  
  

II. PROFESSIONALISM:

• Values and participates in the Team as a proactive member.
• Respects others’ professional opinions and tolerates a range of feelings.
• Able to give and receive constructive criticism.
• Willing to take on extra work when needed (i.e. when there is a vacancy).
• Performs required tasks according to the program philosophy, policies and procedures.
• Is courteous, approachable, and cooperative towards others and conducts self in a mature, competent, confident, and respectful manner.
• Understands and adheres to confidentiality rights of clients, co-workers and agency, consistent with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), and protects personal health information in written, verbal and electronic forms.
• Practices self-care has a sense of humor and possesses a healthy work/ life balance important to providing great customer service.
• Ensures the safety & comfort of others by communicating the presence of hazards, injuries, equipment problems or any need for help and knows the emergency evacuation and all other safety policies (universal precautions, etc.).
• In times of crisis is willing to help others and communicates urgent information quickly to supervisor / Team.
• Maintains good attendance (i.e. Maintains FT or PT schedule as contracted, and attendance does not impair or negatively affect the team.)
• Is punctual for client appointments, meetings, etc.
• Meets program productivity requirements.
• Uses good judgment, practices ethical decision-making, and explores all options in problem solving.
  
  

III. SUPERVISION:

• Attends supervision consistently and comes prepared with questions, follow ups etc.
• Documents supervision, in client charts and for personal development.
• Able to receive feedback and to learn from it.
• Has insight about self (i.e. strengths and weaknesses) and utilizes that knowledge toward growth and change.
  
  

IV. CLINICAL:

• Initial Encounter / Intake / Assessment
• Responds to requests for phone screens and/or intake assignments with timely and appropriate outreach to client.
• Accurately assesses client’s presentation, needs and strengths.
• Completes intake in a timely fashion.
• Participates in and presents at Intake Review as directed by Manager.
• Completes DSM-IV Diagnosis for both mental health and substance use disorders.
• Engagement, Treatment Planning, and Contracting
• Develops a treatment plan to address both mental health and substance abuse disorders, which is completed jointly with the client, not imposed on the client and incorporates the needs and priorities identified by the client during Intake/Assessment.
• Contracts with client in prioritizing time-limited goals, regularly re-evaluates progress, and re-contracts in areas for further growth.
• Follows up on “no-shows”/missed appointments.
• Re-negotiates treatment plans at minimal 3-month interval for first year, then every six months thereafter, after re-assessing client’s needs/life circumstances, and progress on previous goals.
• Maintains collateral contacts with referring agencies including but not limited to, DCPP, Courts, Probation, Parole, schools, etc.
• Observation, collection and documentation of urinalysis testing
• Clinical Intervention
• Differentiates between the range of normal development and behaviors and pathological adaptations, and then initiates appropriate interventions.
• Demonstrates the ability to utilize appropriate interventions in both non-crisis and crisis situations.
• Tolerates a range of feelings, affect, and personal presentation without judgment.
• Uses a range of approaches according to client need (e.g. individual, group, couples and family therapies, crisis intervention, (short or long term) and is creative when needed.
• Prepares appropriate group materials in correlation with group topic.
• Acts in the best interest of the client.
• Consults with psychiatrist as needed and is knowledgeable about client’s medication regimen and side effects, and monitors medication appointments.
• Consults with care manager (team) regarding needed services, as indicated.
• Advocates, coordinates, and maintains on-going contact with other providers involved in clients’ care.
• Documentation and Productivity
• Completes documentation as per agency and program guidelines.
• Enters Diagnosis and approval for sessions into NJMHAPP database as indicated.
• Completes all cyber documentation including but not limited to; treatment plan, strengths and needs, admission and discharge assessments, as mandated by Perform Care.
• Maintains productivity, utilization, and realization benchmarks, as per agency/program guidelines.
• Discharge / Termination
• Identifies when treatment goals have been reached and/or benefits maximized and works toward appropriate discharge.
• Discusses progress with client and prepares client for termination, with appropriate and timely discharge planning.
• When appropriate, facilitates transfers/referrals for further services.
• Consults with clinical and program supervisor regarding termination prior to discharge.
• Completes termination paperwork and appropriate discharge planning in a timely fashion.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Education/Certification: Master’s in Social Work or equivalent field. LSW, LAC, LAMFT or state licensure for mental health.

Candidate is required to complete Strengths and Needs Certification, mandated by Perform Care upon hire, if not already completed and renew annually.

Experience

Required: Two year’s experience in mental health. Experience with diverse populations including LGBTQIA persons, and with people in an urban setting. Willingness to work toward LCADC.

Preferred: Individuals with lived experience within the LGBTQIA spectrum. LCADC and experience with addiction services.

Knowledge: Knowledge of psychiatric disorders and various treatment modalities, including group, family and individual treatment. Knowledge of community resources, social service and mental health systems. Knowledge of appropriate clinical interventions in a crisis and non-crisis situation. Knowledge of appropriate treatment interventions for adults, adolescents and children with mental health, co-occurring diagnoses with or without a trauma. Knowledge of Family Systems Theory.

Skills and Abilities: Ability to conduct biopsychosocial assessments and to make a differential diagnosis. Ability to therapeutically engage adolescents and adults in individual, group and family session settings. Ability to mobilize individual and family strengths. Ability to provide or refer consumers assistance in obtaining concrete services. Ability to create a case formulation and treatment plan. Ability to assess children, adults, and families for abuse and neglect. Ability to work with hard to reach or resistant consumers. Strong written and oral communication skills. Ability to create a warm, collaborative, non-judgmental therapeutic atmosphere. Ability to set limits and appropriate boundaries with consumers. Willingness to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Strong written and oral communication skills. Ability to work professionally and collaboratively on a multi-disciplinary team.

Professional Characteristics: Open, warm, empathic, attentive listener, self-aware, ethical, creative, organized, flexible, open to criticism, patient, responsible, able to work independently, mature, self-motivated, dedicated, enthusiastic, willing to take on additional tasks and responsibilities, interested in seeking additional training and skills.

Work Environment/Physical Demands: The individual must possess the ability to perform work that requires frequent standing, bending, reaching, squatting, kneeling, moving, and lifting of up to or in excess of 50 pounds.*The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job or that 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 function.

Family Connections is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer committed to excellence. Employment offers are made on the basis of qualifications and without regard to race, sex, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, age veteran status, or sexual orientation or other protected classes under the State and Federal law.