LICENSED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH THERAPIST, OUTPATIENT

LOCATION: ACHN - Ambulatory & Community Health Network

SHIFT: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Job Summary

The Licensed Behavioral Health Therapist, Outpatient will provide behavioral health assessment, determine safety, provide supportive psychotherapy, and recommend outpatient treatment under the direction of the ambulatory provider. Specifically, the Licensed Behavioral Health Therapist, Outpatient will provide initial psychiatric consultations, crisis management, therapeutic support and psychotherapy for patients on all inpatient, outpatient, and emergency settings for the Cook County Health (CCH).

Typical Duties

* Supports and closely coordinates mental health care with the patients' provider and, when appropriate, other treating mental health providers.

* Screens and assesses patients for common mental health and substance abuse disorders.

* Monitors patients (in person or by telephone) for changes in clinical symptoms and treatment side effects or complications.

* Support psychotropic medication management prescribed by patient's providers, focusing on treatment adherence, side effects and other complications, and effectiveness of treatment.

* Provides brief interventions using evidence-based techniques such as Behavioral Activation, Problem-Solving Treatment, Motivational Interviewing, or other treatments appropriate for primary care settings.

* Participates in regularly scheduled (usually weekly) caseload consultation with the Psychiatric Consultant and communicate resulting treatment recommendations to the patient's provider. Consultations will focus on patients new to treatment or who are not improving as expected.

* Mentors staff on clinical cases and professional development.

* Facilitates treatment plan changes for patients who are not improving as expected in consultation with the provider and the Psychiatric Consultant; may include changes in medications or psychosocial treatments or appropriate referrals for additional services.

* Assesses information, apply critical thinking to determine course of action, and relay this information to patients, families, and clinical staff in a professional and compassionate manner.

* Identifies professional goals and enhances job-related skills through staff development activities. Remains current on trends in clinical theory and evidence-based practice. Stays abreast of policies and procedures, pertaining to crisis/behavioral health acts accordingly.

* Actively participates in team activities, in the larger hospital and in the community in ways that make a positive contribution to team operations. Maintains appropriate professional boundaries with all staff, trainees, and patients at all times.

Minimum Qualifications

* Master's Degree from an accredited college or university focusing on clinical concentration on mental health is required (Official transcript is due at the time of interview)

* License in Clinical Social Work (LCSW), License Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFP) in the State of Illinois OR the ability to obtain license two (2) weeks prior to starting this employment is required

* Two (2) years of experience performing individual therapy to individuals who have mental illness in a mental health setting, which includes experience gained during training/internship is required

* Experience using evidence-based counseling techniques (e.g. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CST) or Problem-Solving Therapy (PST) is required

* Must be eligible to successfully complete Credentialing is required

Preferred Qualifications

* Certification as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) is preferred

* Experience working with patients who have co-occurring mental health, substance abuse, and physical health problems is preferred

VETERAN PREFERENCE

PLEASE READ

When applying for employment with the Cook County Health & Hospitals System, preference is given to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for not less than 6 months of continuous service

To take advantage of this preference a Veteran must:

* Meet the minimum qualifications for the position .

* Identify self as a Veteran on the employment application by answering yes to the question by answering yes to the question, "Are you a Military Veteran?"

* Attach a copy of their DD 214, DD 215 or NGB 22 (Notice of Separation at time of application filing. Please note: If you have multiple DD214s, 215s, or NGB 22S, Please submit the one with the latest date. Coast Guard must submit a certified copy of the military separation from either the Department of Transportation (Before 9/11) or the Department of Homeland Security (After 9/11). Discharge papers must list an Honorable Discharge Status. Discharge papers not listing an Honorable Discharge Status are not acceptable

OR

A copy of a valid State ID Card or Driver's License which identifies the holder of the ID as a Veteran, may also be attached to the application at time of filing.

If items are not attached, you will not be eligible for Veteran Preference

VETERANS MUST PROVIDE ORIGINAL APPLICABLE DISCHARGE PAPERS OR APPLICABLE STATE ID CARD OR DRIVER'S LICENSE AT TIME OF INTERVIEW.