Job Description

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Responsibilities

The Inpatient Mental Health Therapist provides group, family and individual therapy for patients on each of the hospital units. They are an integral part of a multi-disciplinary team that includes psychiatrists, nurses, technicians, pharmacists, and others. The inpatient therapist engages with patients daily to help them resolve their mental health crisis utilizing a variety of therapeutic models and techniques. The inpatient therapist promotes safety and well-being following discharge by engaging in safety planning with patients and their families / supports.

Job Essentials

Assesses the patient\'s medical history, mental health history, and current presentation to understand the patient\'s needs from treatment.

Organizes and prioritizes daily work by assessing new, current, and discharging patient needs in area(s) of responsibility.

Treats various mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders.

Performs social work consultation for patients and caregivers. Conducts psychosocial assessments. Provides supportive, crisis bereavement and other social work interventions as necessary.

Develops a plan of care either individually or with input from the patient, patient family and significant others, physicians, and other members of the healthcare team.

Modifies care plans to reflect changes in patient status.

Refers patients to other services to improve their well-being. These referrals may include community services, treatment programs, support groups, psychiatrists, or other mental health providers.

Educates, communicates, and coordinates with multiple patient care teams and outside agencies as necessary to ensure the patient receives quality care, a timely discharge, and to identify and resolve delays and issues. Credentialing through medical staff office and peer review requirements may apply if working in the behavioral health setting.

May provide support and debriefing, in conjunction with the Employee Assistance Program, for staff members following adverse events.

Acts as an advocate on behalf of patients and families, where appropriate, to ensure effective communication with multidisciplinary care team, outside agencies and other resources as necessary.

Works with the multi-disciplinary team to develop a discharge plan in order to provide further care, services, and referrals in order to ensure continuity of care.

Completes timely and accurate documentation in the medical record using knowledge of documentation standards for the department to facilitate communication with team members. Documentation is done in compliance with all clinical guidelines and billing/reimbursement standards.

Complies with federal, state, local, and clinical program/facility standards.

Acts within the scope of the Mental Health Practice Act.

May identify patients at risk for potential avoidable delays, extended stay, readmission, financial or complex discharge needs. Coordinate with care providers and leaders to reach optimal solutions.

May provide psychotherapeutic modalities appropriate to the level of care.

May ensure that productivity standards and expectations are met.

May coordinate the discharge planning process from patient admission to departure. Screens for and assess patient needs, develop a discharge plan, and coordinate with internal and external services for care during and after the hospital stay.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Master\'s Degree in Social Work or related fields. Education must be obtained from an accredited institution. Degree will be verified.

Computer skills (email, word processing, and spreadsheets).

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working with in a healthcare setting.

Physical Requirements:

Ongoing need for employee to see and read information, labels, assess patient needs, operate monitors, identify equipment and supplies.

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Frequent interactions with patient care providers, patients, and visitors that require employee to verbally communicate as well as hear and understand spoken information, alarms, needs, and issues quickly and accurately, particularly during emergency situations.

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May be expected to stand in a stationary position for an extended period of time.

Universal Health Services