Behavioral Health Therapist - Part-Time

Overview 

The Behavioral Health Therapist provides treatment services to homeless adolescent, adult, and geriatric clients. This role engages and re-engages clients, assesses, and provides integrated therapy services to a population of individuals who are experiencing homelessness and presenting with co-occurring symptoms. 

Key Role Responsibilities 

• Provides behavioral health assessments and interventions to support the clients’ overall health. Demonstrates positive regard and respect for the client, and uses a client-centered, non-judgmental, trauma informed approach. Provides discharge planning for clients including referrals to for higher level of care.  

• Collaborates with other providers in an integrated, multidisciplinary care team, attending interdisciplinary meetings as required. Engages other team members in problem solving regarding client care, and links clients to ongoing medical, case management and supportive services. 

• Involves the client in the development and implementation an integrated treatment plan using SMART goals.  

• Works closely with MAT prescribers and other medical staff to provide integrated care for clients receiving Suboxone. 

• Provides crisis intervention services to clients (including emergency petitions) in accordance with accepted protocols and in consultation with the Director of Behavioral Health and other providers 

• Facilitates psycho-educational groups as needed. 

• Completes documentation of services in a legible manner in accordance with established formats and required timeframes within the clients’ electronic health record. Documentation includes but is not limited to: Behavioral Health Placement Assessment, Individual Psycho-Social Evaluation, Individualized Treatment Plan, individual therapy session notes and group therapy sessions notes. Completes required paperwork necessary for reimbursement for behavioral health services. 

Key Agency Responsibilities  

In addition to role responsibilities, each staff member of Health Care for the Homeless has the following responsibilities as a part of their employment: 

• Models and reinforces the Health Care for the Homeless core values of dignity, authenticity, hope, justice, passion and balance 

• Actively participates in performance improvement and advocacy activities that support the mission of Health Care for the Homeless 

• Performs other duties on an as-needed basis 

• Protects clients’ personal health information by maintaining compliance with HIPAA and other relevant Health Care related IT security regulations 

Knowledge, Experience and Skills  

Formal Education and Training 

• Master’s Degree in Social Work or Counseling  

• Licensed as an LMSW, LCSW, LCSW-C, or LCPC  

Experience 

• Minimum of two years of experience providing behavioral health services to individuals with dual-diagnoses, preferable in a community or public health setting individuals with substance use and/or mental health disorders  
• Knowledge of and commitment to harm reduction philosophy and practices 
• Experience working with underserved populations, including individuals experiencing homelessness preferred 

Skills  

• Well-developed interpersonal skills necessary to work with disadvantaged and underserved populations, and to collaborate with other medical team members, other staff members, and personnel of other agencies  
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills 
• Able to cope with interruptions, be flexible and be a team player  
• Flexible and cooperative approach, open to working with cross-disciplinary teams in a collaborative style 
• Able to approach ill, disabled, emotionally upset, and sometimes hostile individuals in a comfortable, respectful and calm manner