Licensed Mental Health Practicioner - Outpatient

Job Title: Outpatient Therapist

Department: Outpatient Services

Reports To: Director of Outpatient Clinical Services

FLSA Status: Exempt

Summary The Outpatient Therapist provides professional psychotherapeutic services for outpatient clients, as well as outpatient alcohol/drug abuse and addiction therapy services including alcohol/drug abuse evaluations, individual therapy, family/couples therapy, group therapy, and client and community presentations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Service Provision:

 Provides individual, group and family counseling as assigned.

 Acquires and responds to supervision regarding therapeutic interventions and treatment planning with assigned clients as required by licensing and/or regulatory agencies.

 Advocates for their clients’ rights and assists clients in ensuring that their rights are protected and preserved.

 Must meet productivity requirements set forth by the agency.

 Maintains schedule openings for evaluative services, as directed by the supervisor.

 Conducts aftercare/discharge planning when appropriate.

 Attends weekly clinical group supervision to remain aware of any changes to agency process and be a voice to the need for modifications to processes to enhance trauma informed care to our clients.

 Provides referrals to other agencies/resources appropriate to client need.

Emergency Coverage:

 Responds to the emergency needs of their clients.

 May be required to provide emergency coverage for new clients during office hours and any existing client after office hours, as assigned by the supervisor.

 Responsible for finding coverage during assigned times if they will not be in the office due to vacation, continuing education, etc.

Professional Identity:

 Attends seminars and workshops to enhance skills, knowledge, and within the guidelines of their professional licensure.

 Provides consultation, education and prevention services to other agencies and individuals as assigned by the supervisor.

 Participates in networking with other agencies and attends community meetings as deemed appropriate for the position.

 Promotes the establishment of adequate community resources and services for clients in the community.

 Obtains and maintains criminal justice provider status.

Authorizations/Documentation:

 Completes authorizations and reauthorizations as deemed necessary and completes all documents appropriately and timely.

 Documents all client services/contacts in the client’s clinical record.

 Completes necessary clinical documents and evaluations within timeframes given.

 Forwards all requested documents to referents or other entities as requested by client.

 Develops trauma-informed care focused treatment plans in conjunction with clients and in the client’s language when possible.

Agency Responsibility:

 Participates in clinical and staff meetings for the development and implementation of client treatment or for administrative purposes.

 Coordinates services as appropriate with other treatment providers within the agency when the client is receiving multiple services.

 Must comply with Agency policies and procedures, including those regarding conduct, confidentiality, and record keeping.

Education and/or Experience

Master's Degree in the human services or substance abuse field; Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, and/or related field.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Must be licensed or eligible for licensure or provisional licensure as a Mental Health Practitioner and/or Licensed Alcohol Drug Counselor or Social Worker in Nebraska. If only licensed as a Mental Health Practitioner, must be willing to acquire Nebraska licensure or provisional licensure as an Alcohol & Drug Counselor within first year of employment. Must have or be willing to acquire Criminal Justice Provider endorsement within six months of employment. Must be a Nebraska licensed driver with an insurable driving/safety record.

Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 Knowledge of human development, family dynamics, substance abuse and appropriate therapeutic interventions.

 Knowledge of the signs and symptoms of mental disorders as defined in the DSM-5.

 Possess effective skills in interviewing, diagnosing and treatment planning.

 Possess skills in providing individual and family/couples’ therapy, group therapy, and good rapport-building skills.

 Possess good oral and written communication skills.

 Ability to guide group therapy to productive areas and provide effective intervention with problematic group and/or individual behaviors.

 Possess clinical decision-making skills appropriate for client’s care and safety, including seeking supervision/consultation as appropriate, and always in the case of imminent danger.

 Ability to complete required documentation within designated timeframes.

 Ability to effectively use collateral contacts and communications with referents and other authorized persons/entities, as appropriate to clients care.

 Ability to obtain authorizations for services from managed care, insurance companies, and other pay sources.

 Ability to organize work and determine priorities.

 Performs computer skills in a proficient manner.

 Must be at least 21 years of age.

 Ability to pass and maintain extensive background check required by the agency.

 Willing to obtain a flu shot annually (except for those allergic to the vaccine or who have a religious exception) or must wear a mask when agency deems appropriate due to times of high illness.

 If in substance abuse recovery, a minimum of two years continuous sobriety/"clean time" is required and maintained throughout employment.