Per-Diem Behavioral Health Therapist (OPS SD)
Description

Are you interested in facilitating groups in a fast-paced, outpatient behavioral healthcare setting? Are you interested in a position that is rewarding and makes a difference in the lives of others? Then Alvarado Parkway Institute wants to hear from you!

Alvarado Parkway Institute (API) is committed to improving the mental health and well-being of our community. API is San Diego County's leading provider of comprehensive mental health and substance abuse care. We offer a variety of services designed to assist patients in functioning at the highest level. Our programs emphasize symptom management, community integration, and prevention of hospitalization or re-hospitalization. 


API is seeking a Per Diem Behavioral Health Therapist (BHT) to join our team. The BHT will facilitate process groups at our IOP Program located in City Heights


The successful candidate will have sound clinical experience in the facilitation of group therapy, can provide brief solution-focused individual psychotherapy, and have excellent documentation skills. Familiarity in developing treatment plans, self-harm intervention plans, and conducting psychosocial assessments preferred. The San Diego Outpatient Program serves an adult population of consumers with severe and persistent mental illness. The multi-disciplinary treatment team provides recovery-oriented treatment in a patient-centered, success-oriented approach. Persons served also include those with trauma and abuse and people who may be navigating an intellectual disability and a co-occurring mental health issue.

 

Qualifications: 

  • Registration (ASW, AMFT, APCC) with the CA Board of Behavioral Sciences or Board of Psychology is required.
  • Flexibility, a willingness to learn, and a sense of humor. 
  • Experience with SMI is highly preferred. 
  • Experience facilitating group therapy.

Join our team of compassionate healthcare professionals and commit to improving mental health and quality of life by helping people maximize their potential. Work where you can make a positive impact and lasting difference in people's lives!

Requirements

  

Per-Diem Behavioral Health Therapist Responsibilities:
 

· Establish and maintain a good rapport and working relationships to foster intra and inter-departmental communications necessary for the delivery of quality patient care; responds to requests for information from patients, families, and caregivers; provides directions as necessary; reflect the confidentiality of patient and organization information; communicates pertinent information as necessary by telephone and/or writing.

· Provides group psychotherapy, psycho education; provides crisis intervention as needed; adheres to billing and documentation guidelines.

· Attend regular treatment team meetings to provide Behavioral Health Therapist perspective to total case management of the patient by reading and discussing written program notes from charts and communicating any state or local agency legal requirements for case management with the interdisciplinary team.

· Complete all mandatory third-party notifications per organizational policies and procedures and community/legal requirements; represent facility in any legal proceedings. 

· Display cultural sensitivity with regards to patients and staff.

· Participate in activities than enhance professional growth and development.

· Perform all other related tasks as required.


Required Skills and Experience:

Knowledge of:

  • Knowledge of acute adult psychological disorders; advanced principals of abnormal psychology as specifically as applies to adults.
  • Related regulatory compliance and reporting requirements. 
  • Computer software applications. 
  • The programs and objectives of the department/division.
  • The rules, regulations, laws, policies, and procedures governing activities, such as the Affordable Care Act. 

Skill in:

  • Skills in case management, time management, and crisis intervention common to patients with acute psychosis as well as to non-violent crises intervention practices
  • Identifying and producing innovative ideas and thinking strategically.
  • Promoting best practices in all areas of work.
  • Meeting and exceeding customer/client needs and satisfaction.
  • Skills in conducting group psychotherapy.
  • Skills in maintaining information as highly confidential.
  • Must demonstrate the ability to treat other age populations as needed or have the capacity to develop skills through the organizations cross-training, orientation program.

Ability to:

  • Ability to clearly summarize pertinent clinical information via written correspondence and medical records documentation.
  • To be adaptable and flexible.
  • Work effectively and collaborate with others within a team environment.
  • Ability to problem solve and initiate resolution to problems.
  • Analyze and identify problems and to develop feasible solutions.
  • Apply technical knowledge to work duties.
  • Analyze complex information and applies expert knowledge of health plans to produce high quality work, products and service.
  • Take responsibility for actions, projects and people.

Required Education, Experience, and Certifications:

  • Master’s degree in social work, MFT, psychology, or equivalent master’s degree in a recognized mental health field. 
  • Registration (ASW, AMFT, APCC) or Licensed with the CA Board of Behavioral Sciences or Board of Psychology is required. 
  • Must be licensed eligible. 

Preferred Education, Experience, and Certifications:

  • Experience in outpatient or inpatient setting preferred.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, this position is frequently required to do the following:

  • Use standard office equipment and access, input, and retrieve information from a computer.
  • Use computer keyboard with manual and finger dexterity and wrist-finger speed sufficient to perform repetitive actions efficiently for extended periods of time.
  • Communicate effectively in person or via telephone in a manner which can be understood by those with whom the person is speaking, including a diverse population.
  • Give and follow verbal and written instructions with attention to detail and accuracy.
  • Perform complex mental functions and basic arithmetic functions; interpret complex laws, regulations, and policies; collect, interpret, and/or analyze complex data and information.
  • Vision sees details of objects at close range.
  • Coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously.
  • Reach forward, up, down, and to the side.
  • Sit or stand for minimum periods of one hour at a time and come and go from the work area repeatedly throughout the day.
  • Walk and/or stand for long periods of time (3/4 of the workday). 

Conditions of Employment

In compliance with API’s policies and guidelines, all API employees are required to adhere to the following:

Background/Reference Check & Licensure/Certification

  • Completion of a satisfactory background and reference checks.
  • Employee signed employment non-compete/confidentiality agreement
  • Individuals whose position may require licensure, registration or certification must maintain such as current and valid. It is the employee's responsibility to send updated copies to Human Resources before the expiration date. It is the employee's responsibility to notify Human Resources of any changes or proposed changes in status to licensure, registration, or certification. Failure to do so could result in employee suspension.

Covid-19 and Flu Vaccinations; Medical

  • Provide a copy of COVID-19 Vaccination OR have an Exemption Request (Deferred Pregnancy, Medical, or Religious) approved by the API HR Director; and those who have an approved Exemption must undergo weekly COVID-19 testing and observe all other infection control requirements, including face coverings.
  • Annual Flu vaccination is required as a condition of hire and ongoing employment. Only those who are allergic to the vaccine or meet contraindications as indicated on the current CDC Vaccine Information Statement shall be exempt from this condition of hire and ongoing employment but are required to wear a mask while inside an API owned or operated building or vehicle during influenza season, Employees must provide physician documentation to support any reported allergy or contraindication. Flu season typically runs between November and March.
  • Pass drug and alcohol test performed by Concentra.
  • Clear TB skin test or Chest X-Ray at Concentra.
  • Complete a satisfactory physical examination at Concentra designed solely to determine your ability to perform the duties of the position being offered. 

EEO Statement

API provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Salary Description
$31.00 - $35.00 per hour