Outpatient Mental Health Therapist

UnityPoint-St Luke's Hospital

Full-Time Days

M-F, 8am-4:30pm

$7,500.00 Sign On Bonus to Qualified Applicants!

Under the general supervision of the Director Critical Care, provides direct Mental Health assessment, intervention and consultation to individuals and/or groups identified as having psychiatric disorders; plans treatment modalities, coordinates treatment plans and follows patients or groups through the treatment process; may supervise social work students assigned to department. Provides comprehensive mental health assessment. Assists with utilization review process needed to maintain outpatient authorizations.

Why UnityPoint Health?

• Culture – At UnityPoint Health, you matter. Come for a fulfilling career and experience  a culture  guided by uncompromising values and unwavering belief in doing what's right for the people we serve.
• Benefits – Our competitive  Total Rewards  program offers benefits options like 401K match, paid time off and education assistance that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in.
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commitment – We’re committed to ensuring you have a voice that is heard regardless of role, race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation.
• Development – We believe equipping you with support and  development opportunities  is an essential part of delivering a remarkable employment experience.
• Community Involvement – Be an essential part of our core purpose—to improve the health of the people and communities we serve.

Hear more from our team members about why UnityPoint Health is a great place to work at  https://dayinthelife.unitypoint.org .

Clinical Excellence/Patient Care

• Provides direct, intensive psychiatric therapy to individuals, families, and/or groups identified as having psychiatric disorders.
• Treats crisis situations and emergencies as needed by department.
• Evaluates patients
  • Performs psychosocial assessments, collecting diagnostic information, determining immediate treatment plans for patients.
• Develops treatment plans and goals.
  • Establishes measurable & appropriate long term goals and short term goals, utilizing knowledge of the diagnosis and developmental needs appropriate for the age of the patients.
  • Adjust treatment plan as needed.
• Completes all necessary documentation.
  • Completes evaluations within the specified timeframe, including long and short term goals.
  • Completes progress reports on all patients within specified timeframe.
  • Completes all objective documentation in accordance with department and hospital policies.
  • Respects confidentiality of patient records and treatment.
• Completes all necessary documentation.
  • Completes evaluations within the specified timeframe, including long and short term goals.
  • Completes progress reports on all patients within specified timeframe.
  • Completes all objective documentation in accordance with department and hospital policies.
  • Respects confidentiality of patient records and treatment.

Assessment/Planning

• Introduces self to patient and family and explains the role of the mental health therapist while attending the outpatient program.
• Conducts a complete and objective psychosocial history assessment on each patient that admits to the program and works to identify patient/family psychosocial, financial, or legal concerns that affect patient’s ability to be independent in the community.
• Uses established protocols to assess and promptly documents the patient’s medical and psychiatric needs to assure an accurate legal record of patient’s care
• Individualizes plan of care based on patient needs and utilizes appropriate community resources to optimize patient outcomes
• Provides care coordination/communication between community resources and the patient and/or family
• Provides short term crisis intervention counseling for patient/family as needed

Care Coordination

• Provides behavioral health care coordination and discharge planning to assure that the patient progresses through the continuum of care and has resources in place for community support
• Coordinates the integration of social services/care coordination functions into patient care, discharge, and home planning processes with other hospital departments, external service organizations, agencies, and healthcare facilities
• Promotes program enhancements and/or participation through marketing events and outreach activities.
• Provides skilled intervention for the support and/or resolution of patient and family crises, problem solving, and decision making
• Improves patient and/or family understanding of and adjustment to the psychiatric diagnosis and the plan of care
• Promotes effective and efficient utilization of behavioral health and community resources.
• Serves as patient advocate. Enhances a collaborative relationship to maximize the patient’s and family’s ability to make informed decisions (clinical and/or non-clinical)
• Adheres to Orders set forth by District Courts where patients have been ordered to participate in the program. Complies with all reporting standards set forth by the Court.

Utilization Review

• Maintains records according to DNV and accreditation standards CMS, Medicaid, Commercial Insurance's).
• Performs integrated concurrent review to identify quality and utilization issues.
• Applies admission, continued stay/ transfer, and discharge criteria to each patient case.
• Knowledgeable in Medicare/Medicaid and third part regulations.
• Interfaces with external review companies and consultants, using advocacy and negotiating skills that address medical necessity and appropriateness of inpatient/outpatient levels of care.
• Acts as a resource for physicians and staff as needed in relation to utilization review questions or concerns.

Basic UPH Performance Criteria

• Demonstrates the UnityPoint Health Values and Standards of Behaviors as well as adheres to policies and procedures and safety guidelines.
• Demonstrates ability to meet business needs of department with regular, reliable attendance.
• Employee maintains current licenses and/or certifications required for the position.
• Practices and reflects knowledge of HIPAA, TJC, DNV, OSHA and other federal/state regulatory agencies guiding healthcare.
• Completes all annual education and competency requirements within the calendar year.
• Is knowledgeable of hospital and department compliance requirements for federally funded healthcare programs (e.g. Medicare and Medicaid) regarding fraud, waste and abuse. Brings any questions or concerns regarding compliance to the immediate attention of hospital administrative staff. Takes appropriate action on concerns reported by department staff related to compliance.