ACT Therapist

Assertive Community Treatment Therapist

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Therapist provides comprehensive treatment, rehabilitation, case management, and supportive services to individuals with severe and persistent mental illness as a member of the ACT team. Services are provided in both office and community-based settings and are designed to support clients in achieving recovery, increased independence, stability, and an improved quality of life through a multidisciplinary, team-based approach.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides clinical and supportive services in accordance with agency policies, professional standards and ethics, and applicable payer, licensing, regulatory, and governmental requirements.
• Provides case management services to an assigned caseload, including coordinating, monitoring, and facilitating access to treatment, rehabilitation, and supportive services.
• Develops, implements, evaluates, and updates individualized treatment plans in collaboration with clients and the multidisciplinary treatment team.
• Provides individual, family, and group counseling, psychotherapy, and supportive interventions in office and community-based settings.
• Establishes and maintains effective therapeutic relationships with clients, families, and members of the client's support system.
• Conducts comprehensive biopsychosocial and psychiatric assessments, including psychiatric history, mental status, diagnosis, physical health, substance use, employment, education, social functioning, activities of daily living, and family/interpersonal relationships.
• Conducts ongoing assessments of symptoms, functioning, risk, and response to treatment and modifies interventions and services as clinically indicated.
• Provides crisis intervention, assessment, stabilization, and support services, including on-call and after-hours coverage as assigned.
• Provides symptom-management education, recovery-oriented support, and psychoeducation to clients and families.
• Participates in treatment, rehabilitation, and support services, including psychiatric treatment coordination, substance use services, employment support, activities of daily living, social skills development, advocacy, and problem-solving.
• Supports clients in identifying vocational strengths, interests, and barriers and in pursuing employment and educational goals through coordination with community resources and employment providers.
• Collaborates with clients, families, healthcare providers, community agencies, and other service providers to coordinate care and facilitate access to needed resources and supports.
• Completes timely and accurate documentation of assessments, treatment plans, services, interventions, progress, and other clinical activities in accordance with agency, payer, legal, and regulatory requirements; maintains complete and current client records, including discharge documentation as applicable.
• Participates in daily ACT team meetings, treatment planning, clinical supervision, case consultation, and other staff meetings as assigned.
• Provide community-based therapy services and participate in an enhanced on-call rotation that is more extensive than the organization’s standard on-call rotation.
• Contributes clinical expertise to multidisciplinary team decision-making, treatment planning, and service coordination.
• Participates in continuing education and professional development to maintain clinical competence and current knowledge of evidence-based practices, recovery-oriented and trauma-informed care, and the ACT model.
• Participates in community education, outreach, and engagement activities as assigned.
• Performs other related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Supports and promotes Heartland Counseling's vision, mission, and values through a trauma-informed and recovery-oriented approach.
• Adheres to agency policies and procedures, confidentiality and privacy requirements, professional standards, ethical guidelines, and appropriate clinical boundaries.
• Maintains required state licensure and/or certification in good standing.
• Demonstrates knowledge of counseling theories, clinical practices, evidence-based behavioral health interventions, and the treatment and rehabilitation of individuals with severe and persistent mental illness.
• Establishes and maintains effective therapeutic relationships with clients experiencing complex behavioral health needs.
• Demonstrates strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills and the ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrates sound clinical judgment, critical-thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Adapts effectively to changing client needs, program requirements, and community-based service environments.
• Works effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Demonstrates proficiency with computers, electronic medical record systems, and other technology required to perform job responsibilities.
• Possesses a valid driver's license and maintains an insurable driving record.
• Ability and willingness to provide services in community-based settings and travel throughout the assigned service area.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Master's degree in social work, psychology, counseling, marriage and family therapy, art therapy, or a related mental health field from an accredited institution.
• Must hold a qualifying behavioral health license in Nebraska (PLMHP, LMHP, LIMHP, LADC) with the ability to obtain licensure in Iowa (LMHC, LISW, CADC).
• Previous experience working with adults with severe and persistent mental illness preferred.
• Experience with or knowledge of the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) model preferred.
• Experience providing community-based behavioral health services preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to sit for prolonged periods while completing documentation and computer-based work.
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 15 pounds.
• Ability to travel throughout the assigned service area to provide community-based services.
• Ability to safely and effectively perform job responsibilities in office and community-based environments.

There are several potential opportunities for student loan repayment or forgiveness for qualified candidates.