University of Rochester

Mental Health Therapist

Job ID

224881

Location

Strong Memorial Hospital

Full/Part Time

Full-Time

Favorite Job

Regular/Temporary

Regular

Opening

Full Time 40 hours Grade 053 Psychiatry SMH Strong Ties

Schedule

8 AM-5 PM

Responsibilities

GENERAL PURPOSE:

The mental health therapist clinician assigned to the Strong Ties ACT team is responsible for providing psychosocial assessment and treatment to individuals ages 18 and older who are severely and persistently mentally ill. This is provided through the mental health therapist's participation on an ACT outreach team designed to provide comprehensive community based psychiatric care. The therapist functions as a general therapist for assigned patients and provides direct clinical service including individual and family therapy, group therapy, crisis intervention, and community outreach. The mental health therapist may collaborate in policy and program development, operations managing, and plan program activities for the Strong Ties ACT Team.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

A Clinical (95%):

Under general direction and with considerable latitude for independent judgment performs complex psychosocial assessments and diagnostic formulations for patients and their families when indicated.

Provides cognitive behavioral therapy for psychosis including education about stress-vulnerability and symptom management. Provides interventions based on the OMH Wellness Self-Management curriculum, Illness Management and Recovery (IMR) Toolkit, and the Integrated Dual Diagnosis (IDDT) model.

Ensures the development and implementation of comprehensive and individualized treatment plans for patients with clearly defined therapeutic goals; conducts evidence-informed treatment with patients and families.

Assists clients in maintaining themselves in the community, including finding and furnishing apartments, setting up financial budgets, applying for entitlements, and learning skills of daily living.

Transports clients as needed to appointments and assists clients in moving or shopping.

Participates in a client on-call phone rotation with other ACT team members approximately once every five weeks.

Provides individual, group, family and behavior therapy that is problem-specific and goal oriented; uses a therapeutic approach which is consistent with evidence-based practices for a particular problem; emphasizes social/interpersonal competence; addresses self-defeating beliefs, expectations, and behaviors that disrupt the recovery process; and considers a recipient's strengths, needs, and cultural values.

Provides feedback to the treatment team regarding client's progress in recovery and facilitates and supervises the placement of clients in other community programs as necessary to meet recovery goals and/or needs.

Prepares a written assessment of client skills, deficits and growth potential

Serves as liaison between ACT program and other community agencies that provide recovery support and related services for clients who choose to avail themselves of additional services/opportunities.

Administer breathalyzer tests and obtain toxicology samples per client's AOT court order. Provide weekly reports to AOT for those on their caseload who have an AOT court order.

Documents treatment in patient's chart in compliance with Division, Department, and Hospital Policy.

B Administrative (5%):

Attends Program staff meetings.

Subscribes to the Departmental policy of creating a culturally competent environment by treating patients, families, trainees, and co-workers in a sensitive manner with appropriate attention to cultural differences.

Participates in available cultural competency events and training appropriate to job duties.

Maintains professional CEU requirements by reading, attending seminars, workshops and conferences.

PROFESSIONAL SUPERVISION, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND EVALUATION:

A Supervision/Consultation:

The mental health therapists' professional performance is supervised by a Social Work Division supervisor who is licensed by the State of New York (LCSW).

B Accountability:

The mental health therapist is accountable clinically and administratively to his/her supervisor for provision of mental health therapist services, and adherence to Department of Psychiatry policies, procedures, and standards of professional conduct. The mental health therapist's job performance must conform to the expectations set forth in the position description.

The mental health therapist is accountable to the Director of Strong Ties Clinic for providing professional services in accordance with the policies and standards established by the Service and the Department of Psychiatry.

C Evaluation:

The mental health therapists' evaluations are conducted annually by the mental health therapist's supervisor with commentary from Strong Ties Director and/or designee. Annual salary and promotional recommendations are made by the mental health therapist's supervisor in consultation with the appropriate personnel. Salary increases and professional promotional recommendations are subject to guidelines established by Strong Memorial Hospital and the University of Rochester.

REQUIREMENTS:

Master's degree from a Counsel for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP) accredited program with major course work in mental health counseling. Requires NYS licensure as a mental health practitioner (e.g., LMHC, LMFT, LCAT, and LMSW).

How To Apply

All applicants must apply online.

EOE Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disabled