PT Clinician

Position Summary/Purpose:

The purpose of this position is to provide direct clinical psychotherapy to youth, children, adults, and families. The clinician is responsible for the overall management of their assigned caseload which includes the timely completion of all required documentation to meet the standards set forth by Branford Counseling & Community Services (BCCS) policy, Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) regulations, Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) and insurance payers. The clinician is also responsible for maintaining and improving upon the efficiency and effectiveness of all areas under his/her direction and control.

Essential Job Functions:

(The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.)

• Provide clinical psychotherapy including crisis intervention services to children, youth, adults, and families; provide case management or referral information as needed and develops proficiency with the agency electronic health record program.
• Complete a diagnostic evaluation for each client utilizing the DSM-V and ICD-10 criteria (mental, emotional, behavioral, development and addictive disorders); develop and update treatment plans for each client; completes progress notes after each session, monitor and report effects of medication; assess risk of self injury to client or risk of injury of others; complete discharge summaries in a timely manner.
• Review cases with other clinicians and supervisors; involvement in multidisciplinary team environment and case management/conferences.
• Prepare documentation for insurance reimbursement in a timely manner.
• May oversee/run group counseling sessions.
• Mandatory reporting of abuse against children, elderly and adults with intellectual disabilities
• Maintain HIPAA policy and guidelines.
• Assists with community programs as needed.

Other Functions:

• Performs similar or related work as required, directed or as situation dictates
• Continue professional development
• May plan special programs such as annual meetings or educational programs
• Assists other department staff as needed to promote a team effort to serve the public

Supervision:

Supervision Scope: Performs varied and responsible professional duties requiring a strong knowledge of psychiatric counseling services; and an exercise of judgment and initiative to effectively and efficiently provide counseling services.

Supervision Received: Works under the general direction of the Clinical Director/Clinical Services Supervisor and follows professional standards, procedures and policies. 

Supervision Given: Does not supervise.

Minimum Required Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience:

The qualifications required would generally be acquired with a Master’s degree in mental health, or social work, or related degree from an accredited college or program and have 2-3 years of experience in clinical social work; or any equivalent combination of education, training and work experience.

Special Requirements: 

• Must have and maintain a valid CT Driver’s License and 
• Maintain a professional license according to Connecticut Department of Public Health regulations as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Knowledge, Ability and Skill:

Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of modern professional and social work methods such as intake processes, counseling, casework, treatment plans, assessments, diagnosis, etc.; thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of modern psychiatric counseling and group methods; knowledge of treating populations across the diagnostic spectrum including severe psychiatric disorders and mental illness; knowledge of ethics of professional social work; knowledge of family and interpersonal relationship dynamics; knowledge of State Statutes and eligibility requirements for health benefit programs as well as legal issues relating to counseling services and reporting issues; knowledge of psychiatric hospitalizations and psychiatric medications; knowledge of available town, state, federal and private resources; knowledge of appropriate electronic health care systems; knowledge of HIPAA regulations

Ability: Ability to deal with distressed youths, children, families, adults, senior adults mental health clients; ability to recognize and identify problems, crisis and treatment plans; ability to prioritize problems and clients to determine which issues need to be addressed first; ability to diagnose psychiatric diseases; ability to deal with emergencies; ability to maintain working relationships with all clients, state, federal and regional agencies, etc.; ability to provide clinical services, crisis intervention services and to supervise interns; understand regulations of programs and assist with appropriate applications; ability to multitask; ability to maintain confidential records; ability to prepare reports in oral and written form; ability to use computer systems and data bases; ability to independently apply current psychiatric treatment modalities to address client needs.

Skill: Excellent verbal and written communication skills; aptitude for working with families, adults, senior adults, disabled, and youth and maintaining effective working relationships with various groups; excellent problem solving and conflict resolution skills; aptitude for working with paperwork and details; skill in using the mentioned equipment.

Job Environment: 

Administrative work is performed in a moderately quiet office with regular interruptions during the day from the public via telephone or in person; occasionally required to visit program sites and schools under possible adverse weather conditions, including extreme hot and cold; occasionally driving to various locations to observe or conduct programs.

Requires the operation of a motor vehicle, telephones, computers, copiers, facsimile machines, electronic health records system, and other standard office equipment.

Makes frequent and periodic contact with clients and service providers, Town staff, schools, civic groups, hospitals, nursing homes, doctors, insurance companies, many regional and state agencies; agencies and medical service providers include Court System, DCF, Police, addiction services, State Dept of Social Services, Dept of Public Health , counseling agencies etc. Communication is frequently in person, by telephone, fax, email, and in writing. Contacts require a high level of professionalism and confidentiality. Errors in judgment or omissions could result in delay of services, loss of income, injury to others (through suicide or violence), legal ramifications and potential liability.