THERAPIST (MA/MSW)

River Vista Behavioral Health sits along the bluffs overlooking the San Joaquin River, this brand new, 128-bed facility, will provide high-quality and advanced behavioral health services to residents and visitors in the Central Valley.  The new hospital will employ more than 250 people, including clinicians, nurses, mental health technicians, support staff and administration.

We are currently seeking a forward thinking and compassionate SOCIAL WORKER (MSW) to be part of our Social Services Team. Clinicians will be utilizing therapeutic treatment skills, the social services clinician performs social services functions to include a full biopsychosocial assessment, individualized treatment plan, brief consultation for patients and families preparing for discharge and the development of a safe discharge plan including referrals for continued treatment and housing when appropriate. The social services clinician also provides therapeutic group-based interventions and crisis interventions to assist the patient in achieving his/her optimal level of emotional health.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work or Marriage and Family Therapy, or related discipline.  Registered with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.

 Experience: Social Worker requires a minimum of one (1) year experience in a psychiatric health care facility, with direct experience in family and group therapies, crisis intervention, and treatment skills; must have strong clinical assessment skills.

  Additional Requirements: CPR certification and successful completion of Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training.  CPI Training may be obtained during new hire orientation.

License: Must be state certified in social work or clinical related mental health field. ACSW, AMFT, LCSW, LFMT, or RN license required.

THIS POSITION WILL BE EVALUATED BASED UPON SOCIAL SERVICES PRACTICE/COMPETENCIES, AS WELL AS THERAPEUTIC PRACTICES COMPETENCIES AS LISTED BELOW.

 Professional Competencies

1. Demonstrate a professional attitude and supports the objectives of the facility’s business development/marketing and guest relations philosophy through internal and external communications and interactions with all levels of staff, patients, family members, guests, community and referral sources.
2. Demonstrate appropriate therapeutic boundaries.  Consistently follow established procedures.

Performance

1. Respond to requests for social work services in a timely manner.
2. Uses self as a role model to promote health communication.
3. Meet the social work needs of the patient population being serviced.
4. Contribute to the effective functioning of the patient’s program and other facility-wide activities.
5. Assure that patient’s rights are upheld.
6. Maintain confidentiality in compliance with professional ethics according to professional and facility standards.
7. Identify opportunities for the program and participate in Performance Improvement projects and activities.
8. Continue professional development in individual, family, and group therapy and maintain professional development in personnel file.
9. Assist in the orientation of new colleagues and supervising student interns.
10. Comply with required standards for medical/legal reporting situations (i.e. child abuse, dependent adult abuse, psychiatric commitment).
11. Represent the facility at legal hearings as requested, submits paperwork for legal holds in a timely fashion, act as liaison with conservator’s office.

Interventions& Milieu

1. Utilize a variety of techniques to assist in the resolution of patient problems.
2. Effectively employ principles of communication, interviewing techniques, problem solving skills and crisis interventions when performing psychotherapeutic interventions.
3. Utilize appropriate verbal and physical interventions in accordance with Verbal De-escalation and Handle with Care practices during psychiatric emergencies. Potential physical interventions include escape techniques, blocking techniques, the Primary Restraint Techniques (PRT) and Takedown techniques alone and with assistance.
4. Utilizes universal precautions when caring for a patient.
5. Document and report infections to the Infection Control Nurse.
6. Report unsafe conditions to appropriate personnel.
7. Assists with ensuring patients are adequately oriented to the program.
8. Monitor program activities and encourage patient participation.
9. Formulate and conduct educational, therapeutic, and/or support groups on scheduled timetables.
10. Develop an effective working relationship with patient and/or family (engagement, collaboration, advocacy, problem solving).
11. Communicate effectively with patients, families, treatment team members and community providers regarding patient status and progress.
12. Provide liaison and referral services to community agencies and appears in court when requested or subpoenaed.