Behavioral Health Therapist - Ambulatory Care

Job Purpose & Position Overview 

The primary purpose is to create and sustain the healthiest Indigenous community through the effective, consistent, and creative implementation of behavioral health tools, best practices, and knowledge throughout WCHS. Measurably decrease stigma toward behavioral health and normalize behavioral health care while championing integrated care. This position is responsible for assessing, diagnosing, and treating mental health and substance use disorders with adults and children. Involves individual and group therapy, often using brief, evidence-based interventions, while also coordinating with medical and other essential staff, receiving, making, and following up on referrals, case management, and clinical documentation.  

Specific Job Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Adhere to the WCHS core mission, vision, and values.  
• Conduct a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment to determine if all clients are appropriate for level I outpatient treatment.  
• Provide standard and brief therapeutic interventions as required.  
• Participate in behavioral health services and support in acute, ambulatory, and community settings as required. Refer clients to a higher level of care as needed.
• Maintain direct care hours and be available for walk-ins or crisis appointments.
• Identify all diagnoses via the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders or DSM-5 (or current version as implemented).
• Provide trauma informed care in all treatment modalities.
• Develop a treatment and safety plan with client by the second session.
• Complete inpatient sessions/services as needed.  
• Participate in peer review process and quality improvement meetings as assigned by supervisor.
• Provide vital information of the Indian culture to approved parties for treatment.
• Assist in planning behavioral health program operations and addressing the needs of the community.
• Serve as a liaison in the community by informing tribal groups, organizations, and individuals of the resources available to them.
• Deliver information to support the need for Behavioral Health services tactfully.
• Partner with organizations and providers within WCHS and in the community to promote patient centered, integrated, and coordinated care.
• Address all clients and staff with compassion, respect, and fidelity.
• Maintain open communication with community organizations and all parties involved in client’s care.
• Collaborate with all community partners as warranted to meet the needs of the behavioral health clients.
• Attend required company, departmental, and hospital meetings and outside trainings as requested by supervisor.
• Maintain an active license by staying update to date on CEUs and state licensure requirements.
• Create discharge plans for all clients once care is completed.
• Follow all regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Submit all information for 3rd party billing in a timely manner.
• Supports the training of family practice and other residents and students in high quality, rural, and Indigenous care.  
• Perform other duties as assigned 

Qualifications/Skills: 

• Master’s degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology or related field.
• Appropriate license to provide therapy such as PLMHP, LMHP, LIMHP, LICSW, LMHC
• Willing to develop knowledge of the Winnebago Tribal Culture, traditions and the organization of the reservation/tribal governing bodies
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Must have basic computer abilities and knowledge
• Must be able to travel
• Self-starter with the ability to perform with little or no direct supervision
• Must have accurate and timely documentation.
• Ability to pass drug screen and background checks
• Must have a valid driver’s license and meet driver’s eligibility guidelines. 

Core Competencies for this Position  

Public Health Sciences 

• Describes the scientific foundation of the field of public health.  

Analysis and Assessment 

• Apply ethical data principles.  

Leadership and Systems Thinking  

• Contributes to continuous improvement of individual, program and organizational performance.  
• Participate in and/or provides opportunities for professional development opportunities.  
• Contributes to continuous improvement of individual, program and organizational performance.  

Communication and Cultural Competency 

• Communicate the role and potential of behavioral health therapy and integrated whole person care to internal and external stakeholders.  
• Gather input from and facilitate communication among individuals, groups, organizations and local government to improve community health.  

Financial Planning and Management  

• Establishes teams for the purpose of achieving program and organizational goals.  
• Motivates personnel for the purpose of achieving program and organization goals.  

Training Requirements: 

• Annually develop skills to both maintain licensure and improve quality and efficacy of therapy.  

Physical Requirements:   

• Normal to light office work which includes the ability to lift up to 10 lbs. 
• Regularly required to walk, stand, and sit for extended periods of time and use hands to operate computer keyboard, phone, and various office equipment.  

Cognitive Requirements:  

• Reading, writing, calculating 
• Above average social interaction skills 
• Reasoning/Analysis 
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as a team  
• Works with minimal to no supervision  

Language Requirements:   

• Must possess the ability to read, write, and speak the English language fluently. 
• Must be able to continually and effectively employ professional verbal and written communications skills.  

Certificates, Licenses & Registrations: 

• All applicants will comply with 45 CFR 1301, Subpart D, Section 1301.31, C and D, which require all prospective employees to sign a declaration prior to employment regarding all arrests and convictions of child abuse or violent felonies and to comply with PL 101-630 and PL 101-637 regarding criminal records check. 

Please note the position description duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.