Overview

Job Summary: The Psychiatric Therapist develops and implements a variety of psychotherapeutic interventions and case management duties in an acute care inpatient psychiatric setting. This individual will function as an integral member of the interdisciplinary treatment team. The Psychiatric Therapist is trained to help people find solutions to a range of social problems that often accompany illness. He/She would strive to help patients cope with the social and emotional effects of a psychiatric illness utilizing a combination of individual counseling, group and family therapy, and connection to hospital and community resources. 

Demonstrates through behavior Decatur Morgan Hospital’s mission, vision and values.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities / Essential Functions

1.   Conducts an initial discharge planning assessment and makes appropriate referrals based on that assessment as well as the recommendations of the interdisciplinary treatment team. 

2.    Serves as an integral member of the multidisciplinary treatment team and official documentarian of the team’s identification of necessary interventions as well as the patient’s progress on identified goals of treatment.  Assists in the development of treatment plans for each patient and implements items set forth in the plan for treatment within an adequate time frame. 

3.    Conducts a variety of psychotherapeutic interventions to include group therapy, family therapy and individual therapy. Additional interventions include but are not limited to:  the development of safety plans, completion of PASSR screenings for skilled nursing placement, assistance in the development of documents integral in arranging aftercare, and the administration of mental status exams as ordered by medical staff.  

4.    Is responsible for contact with family members, parents/guardians, referral sources when deemed appropriate and in accordance with HIPAA laws and regulations. 

5.    Provides discharge planning services to include aftercare arrangements, communication with outpatient providers to ensure continuity of care and contact with family members, legal guardians and receiving facilities. 

6.    Maintains accurate and concise documentation in patient records in accordance with hospital policy and procedure.  Documentation should reflect efforts at discharge planning, patient progress on treatment plan goals and family/guardian/referral source contacts. 

7.  Will assist in the evaluation of any protected individual who is suspected to have been subjected to physical abuse, neglect, exploitation, sexual abuse or emotional abuse.  Is primarily responsible for submitting Abuse/Neglect reports to the appropriate authority. 

8.  Maintains CPI/MOAB certification as outlined in Decatur Morgan’s procedures manual. 

9.  Maintains CPR certification as outlined in Decatur Morgan’s procedures manual. 

Qualifications

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, Experience Required:

Education: Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, or Counseling from an accredited college/university required 2)Licensure preferred

 Skills and Abilities:   1)Ability to communicate effectively with others, 2)Knowledge of community resources and procedures to obtain needed services for patients, 3)Knowledge of evidence-based psychotherapeutic techniques and the ability to effectively implement these techniques with a diverse population of patients, 4)Knowledge of laws and regulations as they apply to the clinical setting, 5)Ability to maintain records, obtain accurate social data and to record such data in clear and concise documentation, 6)Knowledge of psychiatric illnesses as well as the social aspects of these illnesses.

Experience: Minimum one year experience working with individuals in a mental health setting or an equivalent level of education and experience.