Mental Health Professional

POSITION SUMMARY

The Mental Health Professional is a member of the multi-disciplinary treatment team and provides clinically appropriate services under the clinical direction of the Director of Mental Health. The Mental Health Professional will provide mental health screenings and assessments, clinical watches, treatment groups and individual sessions, as well as other clinically related activities.

DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Provide clinical services, including screening, assessment, treatment planning and crisis intervention.

2. Performs individual and group therapeutic counseling.

3. Performs administrative consultations for specialized social services as determined by the specific needs of the institution.

4. Interviews inmates to obtain information concerning medical history, mental health history, or other pertinent information.

5. Observes inmates to detect indications of abnormal behavior.

6. Reviews results of tests, treatment plans and treatment cases with the behavioral health team to evaluate client needs and implement treatment.

7. Coordinates psychiatry services, which includes but is not limited to tracking and triaging patients' requests or staff referrals for psychotropic meds; administrative duties for psychiatry visits; tracking psychiatry services provided including signed consents and obtaining refusals.

8. Plans and administers therapeutic treatment such as counseling, behavior modification and psychosocial education to assist inmates in managing their mental disorders and other interpersonal or environmental problems.

9. Discusses progress toward treatment goals with inmates and ensures that the treatment plan is completed in a timely manner, adhered to as the barometer for treatment and is reflected in the progress notes.

10. Consults with behavioral health team concerning treatment plan and amends plan as described

11. Assists in planning and implementing the goals and objectives of programs and projects. May direct special projects as requested.

12. Experience working effectively with a multi-disciplinary treatment team, providing clinical supervision, performing consultation and teaching others

13. Provides the necessary preparation of documentation, necessary records and reports.

14. Participates in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings.

15. Provides documentation in accordance with unit policies, procedures, and facility policies when recommended and / or indicated.

16. Participates in mandatory as well as elective educational activities as well as orientation of new staff, and inmate orientation.

17. Attends weekly staff meetings and follows all team / unit protocols.

18. Adheres to safety and security policies, and participates in disaster drills.

19. Follows security regulations and policies, with consideration of clinical factors.

20. Completes case management responsibilities as required.

21. Completes chart reviews as required.

22. Engages in internal audit preparation and review process as directed by the Director of Mental Health Services.

23. Appropriately recommends / offers input to multi-disciplinary team for transfers to alternate levels of care, and / or grade changes when requested.

24. Participates in all mental health watches and log entries as directed

JOB REQUIREMENTS

The following requirements list the minimum to qualify. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted.

LICENSING :   Current Nebraska Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or Licensed Marriage Family Therapist (LMFT).

CERTIFICATION :  Current CPR Certification

EDUCATION :  Master’s Degree in Psychology, Social Work, or Counseling.

EXPERIENCE :  At least two (2) years prior clinical experience working with forensic clients; have familiarity with relevant research literature, clinical assessments, procedures and methods, have ability to assess treatment goals and write goal-directed, individualized treatment plans; have ability to monitor and document individual behavior patterns and modify treatment plans; and be familiar with diagnostic nomenclature outlined in the most recent Diagnostic and Statistical Manual.

EOE / M / F / D / V

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