Behavioral Health Therapist
Job Title: Behavioral Health Therapist
Class Title: Behavioral Health Therapist
Department: Human Service
Reports To: Outpatient Clinic Manager
FLSA Status: Exempt
Prepared By: Mary Rideout, Human Service Director
Prepared Date: December 2024
Approved By: Lisa Charbarneau, Employee Services Director
Approved Date: December 2024
SUMMARY Therapist will provide individual, marital, group and family therapy, conduct diagnostic evaluations, provide consultative services with community agencies, and provide case management to assigned cases. Therapist will ensure services are administered in a person-centered, recovery-focused manner while meeting all certification standards for DHS 35. Therapist will be familiar with Women’s SUD issues in order to provide Mental Health Therapy and attend wrap around meetings. In addition to providing therapy, the focus of this position is to develop treatment or individual service plans; help empower individuals and families with the skills and resources necessary to address mental health/SUD issues and concerns; respond appropriately to crisis situations; and improve overall client/family functions. Position will work closely with clients within the Comprehensive Community Services Program and the Community Support Program to provide therapy and support. Telehealth and remote work options available.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Provide therapy to individuals, couples and families in individual and group modalities of psychotherapy. Provide diagnostic evaluations of individual clients to determine appropriate services based on needs and develop and implement treatment plans. Participate in supervision sessions with agency team members and keep Outpatient Clinic Manager appraised of situations which could pose legal, security, political, or financial risk to the agency. Assist Outpatient Clinic Manager in identifying, developing and implementing evidence-based therapy modalities that broaden agency scope of services. Work with other agencies, including the courts and legal system, in the provision of comprehensive services for clients. Function as a member of the clinical team and of the treatment team as a whole. Provide information for the purposes of processing PPS, third-party claims or claims for services in a complete and timely manner. All associated tasks necessary to complete the duties and responsibilities listed above.
QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Knowledge of DHS Chapters 34-36, Chapters 63, 75, 92, 94 and all other applicable Wisconsin State Statutes involving human services providers, programs and client care.
Knowledge of psychopathology, psychotherapeutic techniques, family/group dynamics and wraparound model.
Specific skill as a psychotherapist in individual, marital, group and family therapy.
Knowledge of behaviors/dynamics of clients who have severe and persistent mental illness and substance use disorders.
Ability to assess client service needs and to develop and monitor treatment plans to meet those needs.
Knowledge of behavioral health diagnoses and appropriate responses to crises.
Ability to remain calm, professional, and make appropriate decisions when immediate client care is required.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE LEVEL REQUIRED:
- Master’s Degree
- Post-graduate experience as a therapist in a behavioral health treatment facility/program, or any combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities. Candidates with In-training licenses are welcome to apply as supervision is available.
Preference for:
- Clinical social work, behavioral health counseling, marriage and family therapy, or closely-related field of study.
- Experience or training in scientifically sound practices such as EMDR, DBT, CBT, etc.
- Dually credentialed in Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder.
REASONING ABILITY
Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, supervisor(s), peers, service providers, and community partners in a way that supports the mission of the agency and the clients it serves.
Ability to comprehend and apply all applicable program standards set forth by Federal, State and agency requirements.
Computer literacy that allows for accurate and effective interaction and completion of reporting requirements.
Ability to abide by all policies and procedures of The Human Service Center including all documentation requirements and deadlines.
Ability to maintain the confidential nature of all consumer and business information per Federal and State regulations and agency policies and procedures.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
- Certification by the State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services as Medicaid Provider.
- Wisconsin licensure as a mental health professional with 3,000 hours of supervised clinical practice preferred.
Must possess a valid Wisconsin driver’s license throughout the term of this position as travel is required and maintain personal automobile insurance.
Must successfully complete a Caregiver Background Check per Wisconsin Administrative Code HFS 12.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Good mathematical skills.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
