Mental Health Associate Therapist

Position Summary

The Associate Therapist works in a dynamic multidisciplinary team providing treatment services according to the Discovery Clinical Model. Therapist responsibilities include ensuring patient safety, providing milieu interventions, leading psychoeducational and process-oriented therapy groups, facilitate clinical assessments, conduct therapy sessions, and other case management tasks, as assigned.

Essential Job Functions

• Ensures clinical documentation is completed timely throughout the course of treatment. All documentation is required to be done at the time of service.
• Establish therapeutic rapport with patients and families/loved ones.
• Facilitates admission assessments and the admission process for new patients with professionalism, courtesy, and a welcoming attitude.
• Understands role in providing expeditious access to care for individuals seeking services.
• Participates in weekly treatment team and communicates weekly treatment goals with all team members.
• Maintain a case load of 5-6 patients in RTC and 10-15 in OP level of care..
• Completes appropriate number of therapy sessions assigned weekly for patients, including family/support system sessions aligned with the patients' level of care.
• Facilitates process orientated and psychoeducation groups one to two times, daily in RTC and 2-4 times daily in OP.
• Required to sit at a meal and/or snack a minimum of once per week.
• Facilitates multi-family groups, family program, and/or family weekend.
• Provides utilization reviews to insurance companies, providing appropriate clinical information to obtain initial authorization and continuing stay authorization, as necessary.
• Is appropriately accessible to family members or loved ones. Returning all calls and emails within 2 hours during business hours of operations and 24-48 hours all other times.
• Assesses patients for suicidality and possibility of danger to self or others.
• May provide additional clinical support for other members of the clinical team in their absence.
• Communicates with the Utilization Review Department and Business Department regarding authorization and payment.
• Begins discharge planning on day of admission for all patients.
• Completes discharge session with patient to ensure coping skills, transition plan, and resources are understood and intact.
• Ensures discharge appointments are confirmed with patient and loved ones prior to discharge.
• Communicates with referral sources and outpatient providers for continuity of care upon admission, midpoint, and discharge.
• Facilitates patient transfers to higher level of care, as needed.
• Actively participates in clinical outreach and program tours, as needed.
• Effectively manages crises in sessions and the milieu.
• Provides support to milieu staff in their interactions with patients and their loved ones.
• Works collaboratively with the entire treatment team and milieu staff to always ensure the highest level of clinical quality.
• Completes other tasks, as requested, or assigned.
• RTC Only: Provides on-call support to facility at least 1x per month and returns all program phone calls within 20 minutes, while on call. Communicates appropriately with On Call Administrator or Regional Director regarding pertinent facility issues, while on call.

Knowledge, Education, & Experience

• Master's or Doctorate degree in relevant field, required
• Completion of state requirements to conduct therapeutic interventions, required
• Operates under supervision and is not fully licensed
• Must possess a current driver's license and be in good standing

Employment Status: Full-time

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm requires rotating on-call and flexible hours

Work Location: On-site - Annandale, VA

Compensation: Pay Range: $70,000-85,000 annually