Outpatient Mental Health Therapist

UnityPoint-St Luke's Hospital

Full-Time Days

M-F 8am-4:30pm

$10,000.00 Sign on Bonus to Qualified Applicants!

Under the general supervision of the Director Critical Care, provides direct Mental Health assessment, intervention and consultation to individuals and/or groups identified as having psychiatric disorders; plans treatment modalities, coordinates treatment plans and follows patients or groups through the treatment process; may supervise social work students assigned to department. Provides comprehensive mental health assessment. Assists with utilization review process needed to maintain outpatient authorizations.

At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We're proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.

Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you're in. Here are just a few:

• Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.

• Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.

• Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.

With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.

And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience.

Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.

Clinical Excellence/Patient Care

• Provides direct, intensive psychiatric therapy to individuals, families, and/or groups identified as having psychiatric disorders.
• Treats crisis situations and emergencies as needed by department.
• Evaluates patients
  • Performs psychosocial assessments, collecting diagnostic information, determining immediate treatment plans for patients.
• Develops treatment plans and goals.
  • Establishes measurable & appropriate long term goals and short term goals, utilizing knowledge of the diagnosis and developmental needs appropriate for the age of the patients.
  • Adjust treatment plan as needed.
• Completes all necessary documentation.
  • Completes evaluations within the specified timeframe, including long and short term goals.
  • Completes progress reports on all patients within specified timeframe.
  • Completes all objective documentation in accordance with department and hospital policies.
  • Respects confidentiality of patient records and treatment.
• Completes all necessary documentation.
  • Completes evaluations within the specified timeframe, including long and short term goals.
  • Completes progress reports on all patients within specified timeframe.
  • Completes all objective documentation in accordance with department and hospital policies.
  • Respects confidentiality of patient records and treatment.

Assessment/Planning

• Introduces self to patient and family and explains the role of the mental health therapist while attending the outpatient program.
• Conducts a complete and objective psychosocial history assessment on each patient that admits to the program and works to identify patient/family psychosocial, financial, or legal concerns that affect patient's ability to be independent in the community.
• Uses established protocols to assess and promptly documents the patient's medical and psychiatric needs to assure an accurate legal record of patient's care
• Individualizes plan of care based on patient needs and utilizes appropriate community resources to optimize patient outcomes
• Provides care coordination/communication between community resources and the patient and/or family
• Provides short term crisis intervention counseling for patient/family as needed

Care Coordination

• Provides behavioral health care coordination and discharge planning to assure that the patient progresses through the continuum of care and has resources in place for community support
• Coordinates the integration of social services/care coordination functions into patient care, discharge, and home planning processes with other hospital departments, external service organizations, agencies, and healthcare facilities
• Promotes program enhancements and/or participation through marketing events and outreach activities.
• Provides skilled intervention for the support and/or resolution of patient and family crises, problem solving, and decision making
• Improves patient and/or family understanding of and adjustment to the psychiatric diagnosis and the plan of care
• Promotes effective and efficient utilization of behavioral health and community resources.
• Serves as patient advocate. Enhances a collaborative relationship to maximize the patient's and family's ability to make informed decisions (clinical and/or non-clinical)
• Adheres to Orders set forth by District Courts where patients have been ordered to participate in the program. Complies with all reporting standards set forth by the Court.

Utilization Review

• Maintains records according to DNV and accreditation standards CMS, Medicaid, Commercial Insurance's).
• Performs integrated concurrent review to identify quality and utilization issues.
• Applies admission, continued stay/ transfer, and discharge criteria to each patient case.
• Knowledgeable in Medicare/Medicaid and third part regulations.
• Interfaces with external review companies and consultants, using advocacy and negotiating skills that address medical necessity and appropriateness of inpatient/outpatient levels of care.
• Acts as a resource for physicians and staff as needed in relation to utilization review questions or concerns.

• Education: Master's Degree in social work or a related field from an accredited program is required.
• Experience: Minimum of two years' experience in mental health care required.
• License(s)/Certification(s): License as a mental health professional in the State of Iowa is required. Must be CPI certified within the first 90 days of employment. Maintain CPI certification throughout employment.
• Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: Must have interpersonal skills necessary to deal with a wide variety of clients and professionals. Has knowledge of community social service resources. A high level of analytical skill is required. Work requires the use of some hospital equipment. Must be able to speak and write clearly. Knowledge and skills necessary to provide services/care appropriate to the age and diagnosis of patients served across the continuum of care, in accordance with the hospital/departmental/unit standards. Maintains working knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulation as well as other policies and procedures in order to ensure adherence in a manner that reflects honest and professional behavior.
• Other: Use of usual and customary equipment used to perform essential functions of the position.