$10,000 SIGN ON BONUS!

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position reports directly to the Manager of Behavioral Health Crisis and takes direction from the Clinical Nurse Manager of the department where they are floated.  Provides direct and indirect clinical services to children and/or adolescents and/or adults in need of behavioral  health care. Responsible for treatment of the client and provision of age-appropriate care. Core skills may include crisis assessment, intake assessment, individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, treatment planning, case management, team/community collaboration, patient/family education, and triage/discharge planning. Will provide flexible coverage as assigned to all services within Behavioral Health.  Creates a caring and compassionate environment through ECHN’s Core Values of Teamwork, Communication, Respect and Caring. 

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION:

A minimum of a Masters degree in the Behavioral Health field is required. A State of CT. Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) or equivalent required. Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification is preferred, but not required. Must be trained in PMT and de-escalation techniques, as prescribed by ECHN, and receive certification within 6 months of hire into the role.

EXPERIENCE:

Prior experience working in the Behavioral Health field, preferably to specific prospective service setting. Level of care age-specific competencies is required.

COMPETENCIES:

Working knowledge of psychiatric disorders, familiarity with abuse and neglect reporting mandates, knowledge of community-based resources and comprehension of the pre-authorization and billing processes are considered a plus. The duties of the position require strong clinical skills including a demonstrated strength in team orientation and an ability to function effectively in a work environment where multitasking is necessary. Strong written and verbal communication skills using the English language is essential. Must be flexible in approach so that service-specific as well as overall system needs can be met. Must be capable of taking swift and efficient action, including patient restraint when responding to patient emergency codes.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

Disclaimer: Job descriptions are not intended, nor should they be construed to be, exhaustive lists of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with the job.  They are intended to be accurate reflections of the principal duties and responsibilities of this position.  These responsibilities and competencies listed below may change from time to time.

          Job-Specific Competency

Demonstrates skill in gathering and assessing comprehensive information regarding bio-psychosocial influences and etiology of addiction and co-morbid psychiatric disorders including client’s physical status and compulsion/ preoccupation to use, as evidenced by chart reviews and supervisor observations. Develops, implements and modifies treatment plans, interventions, and disposition/discharge plans as needed, addressing both age-specific and substance abuse-specific issues within professional standards and per department guidelines, as evidenced by chart reviews and supervisor observations. Makes timely and appropriate referrals to least restrictive setting, demonstrating knowledge of levels of care and appropriate community and treatment resources, as evidenced by supervisor observations. Completes all requested forms, documentation and other reporting requirements in a timely manner and in accordance with Department of Children and Family (DCF), managed care, probate court, JCAHO and other standards with which program must comply, as evidenced by chart reviews and supervisor observation.  Actively participates in and contributes to team meetings in order to enhance patient outcomes. Communicates effectively and consistently with team members including attending psychiatrists, nursing staff, medical director and inpatient unit leadership, as evidenced by feedback from staff and psychiatrists as well as supervisor observations. Demonstrates sound knowledge base of, and appreciation for, growth and development and current issues specific to age group being served, as evidenced by development of appropriate treatment plans and therapeutic interventions in individual, family and group therapy, as evidenced by chart reviews, supervisor observations and successful completion of competency.  Demonstrates flexibility in meeting the fluctuating staffing needs of the department, as evidenced by willingness to adjust scheduled hours and assignments in accordance with the needs of the program, as evidenced by supervisor observation. Demonstrates value of patient and family education, utilizing appropriate psycho-educational material, as evidenced by chart reviews, feedback on satisfaction surveys and supervisor observation. Establishes rapport with patient and family, consistently demonstrating perceptiveness and empathy in clinical interactions, as evidenced by patient and family feedback and supervisor observation. Facilitates skill development by careful planning of therapeutic groups, individual and family interventions, as evidenced by patient and family feedback and supervisor observation. Effectively uses psychological and physical management techniques to manage violent or potentially violent situations consistent with Physical Management Training (PMT) training, as evidenced by peer feedback, supervisor observation and attendance at annual PMT refresher. Participates in Early Response codes and Dr. Strong codes, attendance at PMT refresher trainings. Demonstrates an understanding of learning disorders, as evidenced by flexibility of teaching methods and interactions with patients, patient and family feedback, supervisor observation and successful completion of competency. Demonstrates ability to identify obstacles and barriers that interfere with treatment compliance and resolve issues, as evidenced by discharge planning and treatment outcome, feedback from patient and family and supervisor observation.