Behavioral Health Therapist

Position Summary:

Provides a full range of assessment, consultation and psychotherapeutic services for Mental

Health, Substance Abuse and/or Co-Occurring Disorders, for identified clients including Seeking

Safety, Relapse Prevention, Court ordered evaluations, Baker Act Assessments, Brief Behavioral

Status Exams and Drug Court. Services are provided at the agency specific site.

Essential Job Functions:

• Engages in direct staff hours of service for assigned clients at the rate of 120 hours per

month.

• Conducts intake assessments/biopsychosocial evaluations for new and existing clients.
• Assessments are performed in accordance with the Centers standards, policies and

procedures relative to frequency, documentation and timeliness

• The Intake Assessment is an integrated, longitudinal, strength-based document,

reflecting a recovery oriented process, and utilizing both mental health and substance

abuse diagnostic tools. The therapist is responsible for implementing this tool in

accordance with the CCISC model and philosophy.

• Communicates a Welcoming Expectation to the client; demonstrates empathic listening

and compassion, increases client sense of safety and establishes a hopeful connection,

in the process of collecting supporting information in a trauma informed manner.

• Develops and maintains a written treatment plan for each client.
• Written treatment plans are developed with as much participation from the client as

possible and reasonable.

• The treatment plan should contain be strength-based, with Recovery/Resiliency based

treatment recommendations.

• Conducts individual, group and family counseling activities as required.
• All clinical activities are performed in accordance with the Centers standards, policies,

and procedures.

• Prepares written documentation for each service conducted.
• Written documentation for each service conducted is performed in accordance with the
• Centers standards, policies and procedures.
• All regulatory and reimbursement forms are accurately completed and submitted within

the required timeframes

• Service Activity Logs are correctly completed, with progress notes attached, on a daily

basis.

• Treatment records accurately reflect the nature of the service activity provided, the

timeliness of services, and the outcome.

• Document all clinical services and activities in accord with licensing, Medicaid, CARF

standards and agency policy and procedure

• Participate in case conference
• Completes all orientation and mandated training activities, including E-Learning Courses,

within required timeframes, and in accordance with the criteria established for this

position.

• Embrace and embody the mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision and goals of
• WestCare Foundation; and
• Perform any other duties as assigned.
   

Essential Qualifications:

• Certifications/Licensures:
• Certification as a CAP or MCAP, in good standing by an agency approved and recognized

by the Florida Certification Board is preferred at time of hire; Preference will be given to

those candidates who are currently Certified;

• Licensure as a LCSW, LMHC, or LMFT in good standing by an agency approved and

recognized by the state of Florida is preferred at time of hire; Preference will be given to

those candidates who are currently licensed.
 

Education:

• Graduation from an accredited masters program with a degree in Addiction Counseling,
• Criminal Justice, Social Work, Psychology or related field is required

Experience and Competencies:

• Two-Three years of related work experience in Mental Health, and / or Substance Abuse

field, preferably both.

• Bilingual is preferred;
• Ability to converse with consumers/families about substance and mental health issues
• Ability to communicate appropriately and effectively with members of a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to organize, interpret and communicate data in a comprehensive and effective

manner.

• Ability to network with internal and external departments and agencies.
• Knowledge in the understanding and application of therapeutic techniques
• The ability to develop and maintain client rapport

knowledge of generally acceptable clinical assessment procedures

in-depth and current knowledgeable skills related to psychotherapeutic treatment

modalities and techniques, including but not limited to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy,

• Motivational Interviewing, Relapse Prevention, Seeking Safety and the CCISC
• (Comprehensive, Continuous, Integrated, System of Care) Model.
• Maintains confidential files and records
• Working knowledge of behavioral health terminology
• Knowledge of WestCare Mission, goals and values
• Knowledge of Incident Reporting
• Knowledge of HIPAA, Professional Ethics, Consumer Rights and Confidentiality
• Familiarity with WestCare services and programs
• Understanding of issues related to cultural identity, ethnic background, age,

developmental level, gender and sexual orientation in prevention, intervention and

treatment.

• Demonstrates ability to work effectively with culturally diverse staff and consumers
• Demonstrates respect for an individual’s cultural and ethnic values when interacting

with them

• Articulates a working definition of trauma
• Understands the impact of trauma
• Understands re-traumatization
• Demonstrates a high degree of dependability.
  • Maintains a good attendance record.
  • Observes working hours
  • Shows flexibility and is responsive to requests from supervisor
  • Works independently with minimal supervision
  • Exhibits characteristics of good workmanship, and integrity on the job
  • Work time is always productive
• Demonstrates ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with

consumers, co-workers, external partners, and regulatory agencies

• • Is courteous to consumers, staff, and all others.
  • Demonstrates tact at the appropriate time.
  • Cooperates with others both within and outside WestCare.
  • Works well with supervisor; accepts direction and supervision
  • Maintains a positive attitude toward work
• Ensures and maintains a safe working environment.
  • Work area is clean and orderly.
  • Verbalizes, understands and adheres to agency safety procedures.
  • Demonstrates appropriate use of Unusual Incident Reports, in accordance with

the Center’s reporting procedures

• Presents a positive personal image
• Dresses and maintains a professional demeanor
• Excellent communication skills;
• Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion;
• Ability to work well in a team environment;
• Adherence to the highest standard of ethical conduct, especially to standards governing

confidentiality;

• CPR Certification, First Aid Certification and an annual Tuberculosis test.
• Ability utilize Microsoft Office Software Suite
• Ability to provide an Affidavit of Good Moral Character
• Clearance in Pre-Employment Drug Testing and Criminal Records Checks, as required.
   

Working Conditions:

• Work is primarily performed in an office or residential treatment setting
• Some outdoor activities may be required.
   

Essential Physical and Mental Demands of the Job

• The employee must be able to perform the following essential duties and activities with or without accommodation:
   

Physical Demands:

• Requires mobility and physical activity: Having an adequate range of body motion and

mobility to work in an office, residential, or outdoor environment including standing and

walking (even and uneven surfaces), sitting for extended periods of time, bending,

twisting, reaching, balancing, occasional lifting and carrying of up to 50 pounds. Use of

computer and telephone systems is required which includes coordination of eye and

hand, and fine manipulation by the hands (typing, writing, and working with files).

Requires the ability to defend oneself and clients in physically abusive situations

through the use of approved physical de-escalation techniques.

• Requires talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Talking

is required to impart oral information to employees, clients, patients, and the public,

and in those activities in which the employee is required to convey detailed or

important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.

• Requires hearing: Hearing is required to receive and communicate detailed information

through oral communication.

• Requires seeing: Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less and at distance. This factor is

required to complete paperwork for many of the employee’s essential job functions and

to observe client behavior and activities in and out of the facility.

• The normal work routine involves no exposure to human blood, body fluids or tissues.

However, exposure or potential exposure may be required as a condition of

employment. Appropriate personal protective equipment will be readily available to

every employee.
 

Mental Demands:

• Requires the ability to collect and analyze complex numerical and written data and

verbal information to reach logical conclusions.

• Requires the ability to work and cooperate with clients, co-workers, managers, the

public and employees at all levels in order to exchange ideas, information, instructions

and opinions.

• Requires the ability to work under stress and in emotionally charged settings.
• The ability to defend oneself and clients in mentally/verbally abusive situations through

the use of approved mental/verbal de-escalation techniques.