Behavioral Health Therapist

Description

Nature of Work:

Embraces and Embodies Tucson Indian Center’s (TIC’s) Identity Document’s Mission, Purpose and Vision Statements; Core Values; Guiding Principles and Strategic Goals. The Behavioral Health Therapist is responsible for providing dedicated, culturally competent, self-motivated, and compassionate Behavioral Health Therapy services to the TIC patients. This position requires maintaining active licensure in the State of Arizona and collaborating closely with our outpatient integrated treatment center team.

The Behavioral Health Therapist plays a crucial role in providing comprehensive therapeutic interventions, assessments, and treatment planning to help patients seeking support for a myriad of behavioral health conditions and/or co-occurring disorders. This position will carry a caseload of patients who may be referred internally or externally for individual, couples, or family therapy.

TIC serves individuals from all age groups, from birth to geriatric. The Behavioral Health Therapist must be proficient in providing evidence-based therapeutic interventions to all age groups, utilizing clinical judgement when selecting the therapeutic approaches and treatment plans based on the presenting concerns of the patient/guardian.

As TIC is a newly established outpatient clinic, this position will also be responsible for completing the initial Comprehensive Assessment (Biopsychosocial), Individualized Treatment Plan, and any other relevant assessments based on clinical necessity (substance use assessments, crisis plans, screening tools, etc.). The therapist’s expertise will guide the treatment journey for individuals and families seeking support, while ensuring cultural competency and capturing the unique needs of each member.

Administrative and Clinical Supervision: Administrative supervision will be provided by the Medical Business Office Manager / Practice Manager. Tucson Indian Center is actively seeking to contract with a Clinical Supervisor to support associate-level therapists in obtaining their necessary hours toward gaining independent licensure. The Clinical Supervisor will serve as an available resource to associate therapists who request and require these supervision hours. Therapists may also elect to receive clinical supervision from an outside source or an existing clinical supervisor at their discretion.

Essential Functions:

Assessments and Treatment Planning:

• Conduct comprehensive intake assessments, annual assessments, substance use screenings and assessments, crisis plans, suicide risk assessments, and others to gather essential information about the patient’s presenting concerns, history, and goals.
• TIC utilizes assessment tools and clinical interviews so the therapist may formulate an overall impression and accurate diagnostic impressions to identify treatment needs.

Clinical Therapy:

• Provide individual, couples, or family therapy to a designated caseload of patients, utilizing a range of therapeutic modalities tailored to each patient’s individualized diagnosis, clinical need, and cultural preferences.
• Deliver therapeutic services to all age groups within the Urban Native Community.
• Utilize evidence-based interventions to address the patient’s behavioral, emotional, and other identified needs.
• Provide immediate support during crisis situations and apply de-escalation techniques to ensure the safety and well-being of our patients.
• Regularly review the patient’s progress toward treatment goals and revise assessments and treatment plans as needed.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and thorough clinical documentation in the EHR.
• Practice strictly within the scope of licensure, education, and professional skills.

Integrated Collaboration and Communication:

• Collaborate and communicate with interdisciplinary team members to ensure seamless continuity of care within TIC’s outpatient treatment center and with external providers.
• Actively participate in case staffings, meetings, and peer reviews as requested.

Ethical Standards and Compliance:

• Adhere to ethical guidelines, professional standards, and regulatory compliance from both federal entities and state licensing bodies.

Continuing Education:

• Stay current with up-to-date clinical interventions, best practice, and evidence-based treatments.
• The therapist is responsible for maintaining their continuing education requirements for their licensure.

Requirements

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of evidence-based therapeutic techniques and interventions.
• Excellent communication skills, both written, and verbal, to effectively and efficiently collaborate and document.
• Proficiency with electronic health records.
• Demonstrates knowledge and ability to provide culturally competent behavioral health services to the local American Indian Community. This competency is incorporated throughout assessments, patient interactions, and treatment interventions.
• Ability to manage a caseload while maintaining high-quality clinical care and attention to individual patient needs.
• Familiarity with clinical assessments, treatment planning, and knowledge and experience with the DSM to formulate a clinical diagnosis and diagnostic summary.
• Adherence to ethical standards, confidentiality, and local, state, and federal guidelines governing mental health practice.
• Compassion, empathy, and a non-judgmental approach and attitude toward patients.
• Team-player, adaptable to change and growth, able to work independently and as a team.
• Must always demonstrate and model professionalism and integrity.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Experience working with underserved populations is strongly preferred.
• Bilingual in Spanish is preferred. Fluency evaluation is required if bilingual.

Required Experience and Training:

1. Master’s degree in Counseling, Social Work, Substance Use Counselor, or other related behavioral health fields.
2. Arizona State Licensure as a mental health therapist (associate level required). Unrestricted, independently licensed to practice behavioral health in Arizona (preferred).
3. A minimum of three (3) years of experience in behavioral health fields.

Additional Requirements:

• Must possess and maintain a current, valid, and unrestricted Arizona Driver’s License throughout employment. No DUI/DWI or reckless driving convictions within the past five (5) years. No more than two (2) at-fault accidents within the past three (3) years.
• Must be insurable by TIC’s liability auto policy.
• Must have an updated Immunization Record provided to Human Resources upon employment.
• Must have a current (within 12 months) Tuberculosis (TB) skin report upon employment.
• Must pass alcohol/substance abuse testing upon employment and submit to random testing during the course of employment.
• Must maintain current certifications in Basic Life Support (BLS), Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) throughout employment.
• Must present an Arizona DPS Class I Fingerprint Clearance Card prior to employment.
• Must obtain HIPAA certification within two (2) weeks of hire.

Working Conditions:

• Exposure to communicable disease & bloodborne pathogens, unpredictable environmental conditions, physical requirements.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and drive in the Tucson Urban area.
• The employee is occasionally required to sit; balance; stoop, kneel, or crouch.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.

Supervisory Status:

Non-Supervisory; Reports to Medical Business Office Manager / Practice Manager.