Summary/Objective:

The Mental Health Rehabilitation (“Rehab”) Therapist II position is part of the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Rehabilitation program in North Dakota, which provides culturally competent services to adults and children who are Medicaid recipients and who are at risk of entering or re-entering a mental health or hospital facility. Services are designed to restore functioning to the highest possible level and enable clients to develop and enhance psychiatric stability, social competencies, personal and emotional adjustment, and independent living and community skills, when these abilities are impaired by symptoms of mental illness. Services are also appropriate when an individual may be at risk for functional decompensation or in a position of needing more restrictive services. 

Because of the risk level of clients being served in the rehabilitation program, services can be provided with greater frequency and intensity, with the intent to reduce risk. Services are to be provided in the environment in which the best transfer of learning will occur, which may mean the client’s home, community or in the office setting. Therapy is one portion of the array of rehabilitation services, which also includes medication management, nursing and health assessment, behavioral intervention, and skills integration; therefore, coordination of care and communication is required by the Rehab Therapist. The Rehab Therapist II ensures that necessary documentation is in place in the file, including a current Diagnostic Assessment and treatment plan, and completes progress notes daily for therapy services provided and communication contacts with the individual, child, family, or other treatment providers.

Required Education and Experience:

• Hold a Master’s degree in a human service field, and
• Have at least an introductory license to practice in North Dakota, e.g., LPC, LAPC, LMSW.
• Pass a criminal background check
• Possess a valid driver’s license and maintain current automobile insurance

Essential Functions

Clinical Responsibilities:

• Conducting Diagnostic Assessments under the clinical supervision of a fully licensed Mental Health Professional (i.e., Licensed Psychologist, LCSW, or LPCC), including a description and justification of the mental health diagnosis, along with the resulting impairments in life functioning
• Developing and implementing a culturally appropriate treatment plan and crisis plan for each client.
• Providing therapy in an individual, group, or family setting to develop and enhance psychiatric stability, social competencies, personal and emotional adjustment and independent living and community skills, when these abilities are impaired by symptoms of mental illness. 
• Maintain a focus on assisting the client in achieving maximal progress, as well as identifying and problem solving any barriers to progress on the treatment plan.
• Within 45 days of employment the Rehab Therapist is expected to support a caseload that allows for consistently meeting expected billable time weekly
• Coordinate with other service providers, such as the Behavior Modification Specialists, who provide intensive behavioral services to the client and/or family.
• Provide crisis assistance services as needed, to address abrupt or substantial changes in the functioning of the client, identifying and managing crisis as they become evident.
• Provide after hours on-call services as scheduled

Administrative Responsibilities: 

• Maintain current schedule with supervisor, communicating adjustments as they occur.
• Complete chart notes daily for services provided and contacts made, ensuring that the documented time frame in the note accurately represents the service provided and that the note clearly describes the intervention provided.
• Ensure that the file is in compliance with state standards and agency policy, including but not limited to: current Diagnostic Assessment, Individual Treatment Plan, financial agreements, releases of information, HIPAA / Notice of Privacy Practices, and evidence of ongoing case consultation.
• Attend 4 hours of case consultation each calendar month (for full time staff).
• Complete staff time and expense sheets bi-weekly for payroll processing.
• Participate in supervision activities as directed.
• Participate in 20 hours of training and continuing education annually, in the areas related to serving the needs of individuals with mental health problems.
• Adhere to HIPAA privacy guidelines, data security expectations, and mandated reporting requirements, notifying management immediately of any breaches or concerns.
• Adhere to agency policy and procedure
• Contribute to the development of agency policies and procedures as requested.

Professional Expectations: