What are the responsibilities and job description for the Access Therapist position at Family Health Center – Southwest Indiana?
Position Overview
The Access Therapist serves as the primary clinical entry point to the FHC for individuals seeking behavioral health services. This role is responsible for conducting timely initial evaluation and assessments, triage level of care needs, assessing patient risks (suicide/homicide), facilitating appropriate service linkages including routine outpatient care, urgent services, or crisis intervention, and the development of a client’s initial treatment plan.
The hours for this position would be 8 AM - 5 PM.
Essential Functions
- Conduct comprehensive same-day intake assessments and formulate initial diagnoses and diagnostic evaluations.
- Develop individualized treatment plans based on evidence-based practices and patient needs.
- Perform risk assessments (suicide, homicide, grave disability, safety concerns) as part of the initial evaluation process
- Utilize standardized screening tools (e.g., PHQ-9, GAD-7, C-SSRS) and incorporate the results as part of the initial evaluation.
- Collaborate with psychiatrists, primary care providers, social workers, case managers, and external services to coordinate holistic care.
- Participate in crisis intervention and risk assessment for patients experiencing acute distress; coordinate with crisis services if necessary.
- Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant documentation in the Electronic Health Record (EHR).
- Engage in professional development and training to meet licensure and organizational requirements.
- Collaborate with community members to ensure quality patient care.
- Adhere to all confidentiality, HIPAA, and ethical guidelines for clinical practice.
- Maintain all credentialing and privileging requirements.
- Other duties as assigned.
Work-Related Experience
- 1 to 3 years of experience working in a Community Behavioral Health Center or Crisis Services preferred.
- Familiar with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
- Experience working with diverse populations, including individuals with complex behavioral health needs.
- Familiarity with crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, or chronic disease management preferred.
- Understand HIPAA laws and protocols
Physical Demands and Work Environment
Mental:
- Ability to manage emotionally charged situations and provide support to patients in distress.
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills in high-pressure situations.
- Ability to remain calm and effective in high-stress situations, such as medical emergencies or crisis interventions.
- Ability to provide compassionate care while maintaining professional boundaries.
Physical:
- Primarily a sedentary role with prolonged sitting for therapy sessions and documentation.
- Occasionally walking to different offices or community-based locations.
- Ability to perform repetitive motions, including typing
Working Conditions:
- Office setting with private consultation space.
- Clinical environment with exposure to infectious diseases, hazardous materials, and emotionally challenging patient cases.
Education, Certification, and Licensure
Education: Master of Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, Psychology, or Mariage and Family Therapy from an accredited institution.
Certification: None
Licensure: Active associate or independent licensure in the state of Indiana as a (LCSW, LMHC, LMFT, LCAC, LSW, LMHCA, LMFTA, LCACA)
Skills
- Strong clinical assessment and diagnostic skills.
- Proficiency in evidence-based therapeutic modalities such as CBT, DBT, ACT, and motivational interviewing.
- Ability to build rapport with diverse populations and foster a therapeutic alliance.
- Experience with Electronic Health Records (EHR).
- Commitment to ethical and culturally competent care.