Outpatient Therapist - Severe Mental Illness

Description

Job Summary:

The Outpatient Therapist (SMI) provides behavioral health services to individuals who have been mandated by the court to receive outpatient treatment.  Caseload will be comprised of individuals participating in the Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) program, Mental Health Court, the Behavioral Health Conditional Dismissal program (SB90), and re-entry of individuals with severe mental illness (SMI).  The Outpatient Therapist (SMI) is responsible for assessing, developing treatment plans, and delivering therapeutic interventions to promote the behavioral health recovery of clients while ensuring adherence to court-ordered directives.  They work closely with a multidisciplinary team and community resources to support the client’s stability and compliance with treatment requirements.

Essential Functions:

Therapeutic Clinical Services:

• Provides individual, couples, and/or family therapy and other therapeutic interventions as appropriate in a manner that meets expectations of contracts, company policies and procedures, service modalities(s), and best practice expectations.
• Demonstrates the ability to develop clinically appropriate individualized treatment plans in collaboration with clients, setting measurable goals and appropriate interventions and ensures plans are updated regularly based on client’s progress.
• Maintains confidentiality, integrity, and security of protected health information (PHI) in compliance with all applicable agency, state, and federal law applicable to privacy and security policies and procedures.  
• Provides culturally appropriate services that are person-centered and culturally relevant to diverse populations.
• Demonstrates the ability to seek out consultation and supervision when appropriate based on situation, complexity, and potential risk factors.
• Provides clinically appropriate interventions to crisis situations including risk and level of care assessment, referrals, and crisis safety planning.

Court Liaison:

• Maintains communication with the court system, including providing case progress reports and updates as requested by the court or legal representatives.
• Ensure clients are adhering to court-ordered treatment requirements.
• Collaborate with judges, attorneys, social workers, and probation officers to ensure coordinated care and legal compliance.

Documentation:

• Completes and maintains accurate, timely, and confidential records, including progress notes, treatment plans, assessments, and discharge summaries in accordance with agency and regulatory standards.
• Documents all services provided in a manner that is person-centered and meets quality improvement goals.

Staff Development Activities: 

• Engages in ongoing professional development through training, workshops, and conferences.
• Stays current on best practices, new research, and developments in the field of behavioral health treatment.

Other:

• In collaboration with Supervisor, develops a set schedule of work hours and corresponding caseload size. Changes to schedule made in collaboration with supervisor based on clinician availability and agency need.
• Completes other administrative support duties and special projects as developed and assigned.
• Some travel required to meet with clients, attend court hearings, and collaborate with community partners.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree in human services or health-related field (including, but not limited to counseling, social work, psychology, etc.) is required.
• Certification or licensure as required by the Kentucky state board of the appropriate discipline to provide clinical services (i.e., LPCA, LPCC, CSW, LCSW, LPA, LPP, PsyD, PhD, LCADC, MFTA, LMFT etc.) is required.
• A minimum of two years of clinical experience is required.
• Experience working with individuals with severe mental illness and involvement with the criminal justice system is preferred.

Skills and Abilities:

• Strong therapeutic skills, including familiarity with a range of therapeutic modalities
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Familiarity with electronic health record (EHR) systems preferred.

Salary : $51,000 - $64,000