BEHAVIORAL HEALTH THERAPIST

Independence Health System; Latrobe (Westmoreland County); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Continuing education units (C.E.U.s)

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Latrobe is seeking a qualified Behavioral Health Specialist to manage therapeutic interventions and conduct comprehensive assessments. The role emphasizes effective communication within multidisciplinary teams while ensuring compliance with relevant standards. Ideal candidates should possess a Master's Degree in a related field and have experience in providing individual and group therapy. This position may involve crisis intervention and requires strong organizational and leadership skills. A flexible schedule will be expected based on operational needs.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree or higher in relevant field.
• One or more years of experience in a clinical setting.
• Two or more years of psychotherapy experience.

Responsibilities

• Conduct therapeutic interventions for patients.
• Document clinical activities and comply with standards.
• Communicate effectively with treatment teams and patients.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Strong communication

Therapeutic modalities

Organizational skills

Leadership ability

Education

Master’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Plans, organizes and conducts therapeutic interventions for assigned caseload in outpatient environment. Emphasizes short‑term cognitive/behavioral approaches to effect social/emotional adjustment or address behavioral disorders. Provides emergency behavioral health services.

Essential Job Functions

• Interviews patients/families/significant others at time of initial presentation to complete psychosocial history and assessment.
• Documents clinical activities within established time frames according to department, hospital and regulatory agency standards.
• Assists the Department's compliance with state, JCAHO and other regulatory agencies.
  • Participates in preparation for inspections, surveys and audits.
  • Participates in ongoing unit Performance Improvement Activities.
• Communicates effectively with patients/peers/families/treatment team.
  • Returns patient/family phone calls and documents.
  • Provides peer/treatment team consultation when asked.
  • Uses computer as required for E‑mail, scheduling, authorizations, insurance tracking, etc.
• Provides and participates in Educational Activities.
  • Provides and documents patient/family education.
  • Participates in staff education both as participant and presenter.
  • Makes recommendations for staff development.
  • Serves on Hospital committees and participates in other related projects as directed.
• Complies with requirements for credentialed status as required.
  • Completes timely credentialing/re‑credentialing.
  • Maintains active licensure.
• Completes C.E.U.'s required for continued licensure.
• Delivers presentations to other agencies and groups pertaining to the services provided by the PHP.
• Serves on hospital committees and participates in other related projects as directed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Specialty Functions

• Processes psychiatric emergencies.
  • Assesses severity of patient condition.
  • Collaborates with psychiatrist to effect a crisis resolution.
  • Processes commitments.
  • Refers patients to appropriate treatment facilities.
  • Demonstrates working knowledge of Mental Health Procedures Act.
• Participates in Treatment Planning.
  • Completes treatment plans and treatment plan reviews according to department standards and regulatory agencies.
  • Attends treatment team meetings.
  • Functions as an interdisciplinary team member to actively identify and resolve patient needs.
• Uses skilled therapeutic modalities.
  • Provides individual, group and family therapy.
  • Provides crisis intervention techniques as needed and develops individualized safety contracts as necessary.
  • Documents services provided according to department and regulatory agencies.
  • Consistently meets productivity targets.
  • Obtains authorizations/reauthorizations for treatment.
  • Completes activity logs as requested.
• Assists the department's compliance with State, JCAHO and other regulatory agencies.
  • Participates in preparation for inspections, surveys and audits.
  • Participates in ongoing unit Performance Improvement activates.
• Communicates effectively with patients/peers/families/treatment team/agencies.
  • Attends at least 75% of staff meetings.
  • Reads and signs off minutes of those not attended.
  • Returns guest/family phone calls and documents.
  • Provides peer/treatment team consultation when asked.
  • Uses computer as required for email, scheduling, authorizations, insurance tracking. Etc.
  • Serves as liaison between physician and families and agencies/services.
• Provides and participates in educational activities.
  • Provides and documents patient/family education.
  • Participates in staff education, both as participant and presenter.
  • Serves on hospital committees and participates in other related projects as directed.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s Degree or higher in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling or related Human Service degree.
• One (1) or more years’ experience in clinical setting or equivalent work‑related experience.
• Two (2) or more years prior experience in provision of individual and group psychotherapy in a clinical setting.
• Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.
• Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.
• Knowledge of Payor/Insurance Benefits.
• Functional Skills on PC and Related Software (Microsoft Office).
• Knowledge of basic Office Equipment such as copier, fax machine, etc.
• Creativity in treatment in various settings including inpatient, skilled nursing and outpatient clinics.
• Ability to transition smoothly between various treatment settings.
• Ability to understand and react effectively to the unique needs of the population served.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience working in a managed care environment.

License, Certification & Clearances

• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) approved curriculum of the American Heart Association (CPR and AED) program.
• Professional Licensure (LCSW, LSW, LPC, LMFT or licensed psychologist).
• Act 33 with renewal.
• Act 34 with renewal.
• Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal.
• Ability to be credentialed with local insurance providers.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities, but does serve as a coach and mentor for other positions in the department.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Incumbent will be scheduled based on operational need (rotate shifts, standby, on‑call, etc.).
• Travel may be expected locally between Excela Health locations.

LEAN

Actively promotes a Lean work culture by performing team member duties to encourage consistent use of LEAN principles and processes, including continually seeking work process improvements. Recognizes the necessity of taking ownership of one’s own motivation, morale, performance and professional development. Strives for behavior consistent with being committed to Excela’s missions, vision and values.

AAP/EEO

• Excela Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of Excela Health to prohibit discrimination of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, non‑job related disability, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other protected class. Excela Health will conform to the spirit as well as the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.
• Ability to perform the Essential Functions listed on the Physical Conditions and ability to perform the Essential Functions on the Working Condition chart below.

Physical Condition & Demands

When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.

Travel Required

Yes.

Effective March 2020

Effective March 2020 or during pandemic: goggles, face shield and mask are required according to CDC guidelines.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.