OVERVIEW

Provides direct psychotherapy, crisis intervention, stabilization, and care coordination to Seriously and Persistently Mentally Ill (SPMI) adult clients enrolled in Assertive Community Treatment (ACT). This position is shared across both ACT teams, working 2.5 days per week with ACT South and 2.5 days per week with ACT North, delivering services primarily in clients' homes and communities consistent with the ACT model. Work is performed under general supervision by the ACT Coordinator and is guided by agency policies and procedures, quality assurance, public and private payor guidelines, diagnostic guidelines and professional practices, including ethical standards related to client interactions, state and federal licensure and accreditation regulations and guidelines.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Provides direct individual, family and group psychotherapy, to Seriously and Persistently Mentally Ill (SPMI) adults enrolled in Assertive Community Treatment, dividing time across both the ACT South and ACT North teams (2.5 days per team per week). Conducts intake interviews, diagnostic assessments, and develops and updates individualized treatment plans in collaboration with each ACT team's interdisciplinary staff. Provides crisis intervention, de-escalation and stabilization services to ACT clients experiencing psychiatric or behavioral crises, including in home and community settings and facilitates admission to Crisis Stabilization programs or inpatient psychiatric facilities as needed, if community stabilization is not feasible. Conducts risk assessments and classifies the clinical and legal disposition of clients in crisis, determining appropriate level of care, referral, or need for hospitalization. Consults and liaises with psychiatric, nursing and case management staff on both ACT teams, as well as hospitals, courts, social services, state offices, and other community agencies to coordinate client services. Delivers therapeutic services primarily through home and community-based visits consistent with the ACT service delivery model, in addition to office-based sessions. Responds to program calls and phone inquiries from clients, families, and referral sources for both ACT South and ACT North. Inputs psychological and service data into the electronic records system and prepares and maintains case documentation, including treatment plans, progress notes, and periodic assessments. Completes and submits insurance authorization paperwork and Medicaid billing documentation for services rendered on both teams. Participates in daily ACT team meetings, interdisciplinary, interagency and community-based meetings for both ACT South and ACT North. Provides expert testimony in court and other legal proceedings as needed, including matters related to involuntary hospitalization. Coordinates with other ACT team members to facilitate the provision of medical services, such as delivering and monitoring medications, scheduling and providing transportation to appointments, including those with medical practitioners, family and community resources; Provides case coordination, benefits, and housing assistance. Does related work as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Thorough knowledge of the diagnosis and treatment of the mentally ill, emotionally disturbed and substance use population, including crisis intervention and stabilization principles and practices as applied within an Assertive Community Treatment model; thorough knowledge of individual, family and group treatment modalities and techniques related to clinical casework with the SPMI population; thorough knowledge of the medical providers, social services and other agencies and community organizations providing services to the individual population; considerable knowledge of individual management guidelines for Virginia; considerable knowledge of the laws and legal procedures relating to voluntary and involuntary hospital admissions; considerable knowledge of social casework management, including need assessment and supportive level counseling delivered in home and community settings; ability to establish and maintain rapport with the individual population; ability to conduct effective interviews, observe, assess and record individual behaviors and functioning and determine clinical and legal disposition; ability to function effectively across two treatment teams and adapt to differing team schedules, caseloads and service areas; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff of both ACT teams and of other private and public agencies and organizations; ability to confidently provide expert testimony in both oral and written formats; ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; ability to operate a vehicle; ability to function calmly in stressful situations; ability to prepare and maintain detailed records and prepare related reports.

TYPICAL EDUCATION, TRAINING AND WORK EXPERIENCE

Master's Degree in the Behavioral Sciences and minimum 1 year clinical work experience in counseling individuals with sever and persistent mental illness and substance use disorders. Professional experience also includes supporting individuals needing crisis intervention and psychiatric hospitalization. EMDR trained is preferred. A thorough understanding of Trauma Informed Care is required.

LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATIONS

Valid VA driver's license. VA license or license eligible as LCSW, LPC, or LCP, or LMHP-eligible. State certified Pre-Screener preferred.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND PHYSICAL EXPOSURE

Work involves considerable exposure to disagreeable environmental conditions such as the requirements to interact with clients having unsanitary behaviors, poor hygiene and contagious illness and/or are potentially violent in unsafe or unsanitary residences or other locations; drive a vehicle, and/or transport clients in inclement, if not severe weather; occasionally physically assist and/or lift clients in the course of care.