Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

About This Role

This role involves providing standardized counseling to patients referred by physicians, mid-level providers, and school districts, under the supervision of the Director of Behavioral Health. The therapist will address social needs, utilize referral sources for specialty care, and ensure adherence to behavioral health contract requirements, staff productivity, and patient satisfaction. The position suits a professional with experience working with diverse populations, including pediatrics, adolescents, and adults, particularly those with chronic disease treatment compliance issues, depression, and anxiety.

Responsibilities

• Work within a federally Qualified Health Center multidisciplinary team to ensure patient's clinical treatment goals and behavioral management needs are met by attending staff consultation and provider meetings
• Conduct functional and strength-based assessments along with comprehensive diagnoses for mental health, substance abuse, trauma, and psychosocial needs
• Develop patient care plans that are coordinated and integrated with a comprehensive range of social, emotional, and practical needs
• Provide psychotherapy, counseling, and psycho-education utilizing individual, family, and group modalities using evidence-based interventions for patients with the goal of improved functioning and positive health outcomes
• Receive referrals from VHT's physicians and mid-level providers
• Assist in coordinating activities for the Case Managers
• Maintain communication with other local service agencies for patient referral as needed; develop a network of community resources and maintain liaison with these resources
• Consult with primary care providers and other appropriate staff to enhance understanding of patients, provide support for treatment approaches that incorporate behavioral health needs, and assist with the implementation of bio-psychosocial treatment and care plans
• Consult with the Chief Medical Officer and other providers regarding complex patients and prescription medications prescribed by providers
• Identify patients with urgent mental health conditions (e.g., suicidal, homicidal, psychotic, etc.) and make appropriate referrals to available emergency or psychiatric treatment facilities
• Keep accurate, up-to-date records on clients served, including progress notes, transfer and discharge plans, annual reviews, and all client contacts
• Assist in the formulation and implementation of coordination and service plans
• Participate in utilization review activities to ensure that all clients accomplish full participation in the program
• Be available within the organization during working hours for crisis intervention in the event of a psychiatric emergency and assist staff in the event of any other kind of emergency
• Prepare and deliver oral presentations to the public on VHT Behavioral Health and its programs
• Serve as a liaison with community agencies and school districts
• On a temporary basis, may be required to work at any satellite facility
• Contribute to team effort by assisting other departments as needed and while maintaining confidentiality of VHT's business
• Work cooperatively with all staff members and outside sources in a professional manner to deliver a high level of service
• Observe and practice all VHT Patient Experience Service Standards as outlined in “World Class Practices: My Commitment to Care”
• Practice CICARE when interacting with patients, their families, visitors, or internal customers
• Practice CICARE phone etiquette during all phone interactions
• Always exercise courtesy whenever patients, family members, visitors and co-workers are present
• Respect privacy and dignity of patients, family members, visitors and co-workers
• Maintain professionalism in the presence of patients, their families, visitors and co-workers
• Act as a role model, verbally and behaviorally demonstrating skill, enthusiasm, positive problem solving, commitment and loyalty to the profession and the organization
• Engage as a member of the care team caring for individuals in the community
• Prep for morning briefing and end of the day debriefing with behavioral health staff and/or medical staff
• Promote and educate on evidence-based preventive care, chronic care needs, and self-management support
• Follow applicable regulations: Joint Commission, OSHA, HIPAA, and CLIA
• Serve and protect the practice by adhering to professional standards, policies and procedures, federal, state, and local requirements, and The Joint Commission Accreditation of Healthcare Organization standards
• Perform other related duties, which may be inclusive, but not listed in the job description

Requirements

• Master's Degree from an accredited college or university, with a major in Psychology, Marriage and Family Counseling, Social Work or a related field
• LMFT with current California BBS License
• Current Basic Life Support
• Knowledge of principles in human, social, and/or behavioral health services, especially for low-income underserved individuals, treatment and rehabilitation of children, adolescents and adults with behavioral, developmental or psychological disturbances
• Demonstrated understanding of the impact of trauma on behavioral and medical conditions
• Knowledge of evidence-based treatments (DBT, CBT, Motivational Interviewing)
• Knowledge of principles, procedures, methods and techniques of mental health emergency procedures such as: 5150, CPS reporting, and Tarasoff
• Modern office practices and procedures (including email)
• Must show professionalism at all times especially when working with patients
• Ability to be flexible with work schedule and available to work at all site locations
• Must have own transportation, valid California Driver's License and current proof of automobile insurance coverage
• Demonstrated ability to provide world-class patient experience using CICARE principles and practices
• Ability to be proactive and to go above and beyond the call of duty; take initiative to provide a world-class patient experience in all encounters via email, phone or in person

Nice to have:

• English/Spanish ability preferred
• 2 years of experience with behavioral, developmental or psychological disturbances
• 2 years of experience with knowledge of evidence-based treatment

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Important Details

• Schedule: Occasionally work during early morning, evening or weekend
• Typical physical demands: Requires sitting, standing, or walking for up to eight hours a day. Some bending, stretching, or reaching may be necessary. Lifting up to 40 pounds may be required on occasion. Vision must be correctable to 20/20 and hearing must be in the normal range for telephone contact.

About the Company

Valley Health Team provides healthcare services.