Mental Health Professional

POSITION PURPOSE

The Mental Health Professional (MHP) provides comprehensive assessment and diagnosis, treatment planning and direct clinical services. These services may occur in the community, school, home or at an ACCESS Group, Inc. site. The MHP provides direct supervision and manages scheduling and daily operations for the qualified behavioral health provider.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & BASIC DUTIES

1. Completes an Intake and Assessment for each potential client being assessed for counseling/psychotherapy.
2. Develops an individualized psychotherapy treatment plan for medically necessary services. This treatment plan will be based on the results of the diagnostic assessment, clinical observations of the client and/or family, and input of the Medical Director and Clinical Director.
3. Reviews and updates psychotherapy treatment plan in the format and time frames outlined in the ACCESS Clinical Documentation policy and procedure. 
4. Conducts counseling/psychotherapy services with identified clients as indicated and/or prescribed. These services may include but are not limited to individual therapy, family therapy, group therapy, psychoeducation, collateral intervention, crisis intervention, and crisis stabilization. Explanations for missed sessions are documented.
5. Makes every effort to work with the family/caregiver in scheduling family therapy sessions as indicated and works with the family/caregiver to overcome obstacles to their participation in treatment when possible.
6. Accurately documents interventions and services provided in detail (both billable and nonbillable) in the format and time frames outlined in the ACCESS Clinical Documentation policy and procedure 
7. Completes other required documentation using either deTaso or paper documentation, as appropriate.
8. Completes a written discharge summary when a client is discharged from counseling/psychotherapy.
9. Attends and actively participates in job-related functions such as department and team meetings, parent conferences, peer reviews, workshops, and mandatory trainings. 
10. Works with Admissions Coordinators to manage and schedule weekly appointments to ensure that annual productivity requirement is met.
11. Refers clients for additional evaluations and services, as appropriate. 
12. Supervises mental health professionals whose current license requires professional supervision (if applicable).
13. Provides direct supervision to the qualified behavioral health providers including conducting weekly face-to-face supervision and monthly observations of service delivery. This supervision will be documented utilizing the QBHP supervision form and log.
14. Participates in supervision each quarter as required. This supervision will be documented utilizing the MHP supervision form and log.
15. Represents the program in a positive way to parents, visitors, and the public.
16. Participates in relevant and approved continuing education each year as required to maintain professional licensure and to stay current with state and national trends in student achievement and behavioral health/psychological assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.
17. Maintains familiarity with health and safety guidelines, including standard precautions and daily operating procedures. 
18. Ensures a positive and supportive relationship with clients and families.
19. May perform other related or non-related duties, as assigned.

COMPETENCIES

Ethics:

• Treats people with respect. 
• Keeps commitments.
• Inspires the trust of others. 
• Completes work ethically and with integrity. 
• Upholds organizational values. 

Judgment:

• Displays willingness to make decisions. 
• Exhibits sound and accurate judgment.
• Supports and explains reasoning for decisions.
• Includes appropriate people in decision-making process. 
• Makes timely decisions.  
• Demonstrates safety awareness.

Client Focus:

• Demonstrates a commitment to clinical excellence. 
• Manages difficult or emotional client situations. 
• Responds promptly to client needs. 
• Solicits client feedback to improve client care.
• Responds to requests for service and assistance.

Planning/Organizing:

• Prioritizes and plans work activities.
• Uses time efficiently and effectively.
• Plans for additional resources. 
• Develops realistic action plans. 
• Maintains a neat and organized workspace.

Problem Solving:

• Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner.
• Gathers and analyzes information skillfully.
• Develops alternative solutions.
• Works well in group problem-solving situations. 
• Uses reason, even when dealing with emotional topics. 

Professionalism:

• Communicates with others in a tactful and professional manner.
• Participates appropriately as a member of a team.
• Responds well under pressure.
• Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position.
• Accepts responsibility for own actions.
• Follows instructions and responds to supervisory direction and feedback appropriately.
• Completes tasks within established deadlines.

Quality:

• Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
• Looks for ways to improve and promote quality. 
• Applies feedback to improve performance. 
• Monitors own work to ensure quality. 

Written Communication:

• Writes professionally, informatively, and in accordance with payor source guidelines.
• Edits work for spelling and grammar.
• Varies writing style to meet needs.
• Presents numerical data effectively. 
• Able to read and interpret written information. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to talk or hear. The employee is required to walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to stand and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

The noise level in the work environment is moderate.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/ Certification:

• Master’s degree in social work, psychology, counseling or related field from an accredited university or college.
• Possesses current Arkansas license as a Mental Health Professional. 
• Completes or has completed Diagnostic Classification: 0-5 (Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood) training (or other subsequently DHS approved training) provided by a trainer authorized by the Department of Human Services or designee.
• Completes or has completed training in evidence-based dyadic treatment for children 0-47 months. Ex: Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP)
• Completes six hours of continuing education annually focused on early childhood mental health. 
• Participates in continuing education to stay current with state and national trends in mental health/psychological assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.

Experience/ Knowledge required:

• Minimum of two years of successful experience in a similar position, preferred.

Skills/ Abilities:

• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with a wide variety of people.
• Ability to work with children, adolescents, and adults who are at risk or have been diagnosed with a mental disorder and/or learning disability. 
• Ability to understand and interpret the data gathered in an assessment. 
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and accuracy. 
• Basic computer skills including a working knowledge of databases, word processing, spreadsheets, and Internet software. 
• Ability to handle multiple tasks in a very busy environment. 
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, policies, and other company documents. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. 
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. 
• Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standard situations. 

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• Moderate travel is required for this position; this travel may include transporting students/clients.
• ACCESS drivers are required to maintain a valid Driver’s License, current auto liability insurance and registration, a clean driving record, and physical ability to drive to local and non-local locations throughout Arkansas.