Behavioral Health Therapist or Behavioral Health Therapist - In Training - Outpatient Unit

Dodge County offers a generous benefits package including:

• Paid Time Off (PTO) – available for use after 30 days of employment
• 10 observed paid holidays
• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA) – with employer contributions - HRA
• Life insurance, Long-term disability, Short-term disability and Flex spending
• Participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) – an exceptional pension plan with employer match (upon vesting) and lifetime retirement payment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

1. Provides mental health therapy/treatment including individual, family, and group treatment. This would include face to face, phone contact, and written correspondence.
2. Conducts mental health evaluations and assessments; including gathering information regarding symptoms, current, and previous psychiatric medications, previous treatment or therapy, history, etc.
3. Formulates diagnosis; develops treatment options with client; makes appropriate referrals to other providers and appropriate resources within and outside of Croix County DHHS.HSH.
4. Documents assessments, treatment plans, reviews, referrals, and discharge planning and summaries in accordance with professional standards, agency, State and Federal guidelines.
5. Performs ongoing assessment of client for risk of harm to self or others, including developing crisis plans and determining level of care when necessary.
6. Serves as a member of the intake team including initial screening, emergency services, crisis stabilization, referral services, and care planning in consultation with interdisciplinary teams.
7. Serves as a member of the CCS, CST and CSP teams to develop treatment goals and plans based on assessment, evaluation, and agency guidelines.
8. Provides consultation, collaboration, and/or training; screening services, psychoeducational and group facilitation to internal agency divisions and community.
9. Monitors medication compliance by observing medication administration, watches for side effects or signs of deterioration.
10. Teaches clients about available community resources and how to independently gain access to needed services.
11. Advocates and works to coordinate services and support clients in achieving treatment objectives without duplication of effort and with maximum effective use of staff time and available resources.
12. Bills for all allowable services and submits billing as directed. Ensures State reporting system forms and data collection are completed on a timely basis.
13. Maintains a timely and complete record for all assigned cases; completes required written assessments, reports, and other related paperwork/documentation as necessary.
14. Develops and maintains professional knowledge and skills to enhance the programs and services provided.
15. Consults with supervisors, interdisciplinary teams, and legal counsel on appropriate case-specific matters, as necessary.
16. May facilitate treatment and/or other related, indicated services with groups of clients.
17. May be designated to speak to the community and other organizations to provide public education.
18. Participates in crisis intervention services as needed, including after hours.
19. Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED JOB COMPETENCIES

• Knowledge of psycho-social assessments/diagnosis and appropriate courses of treatment.
• Knowledge of pharmacology/psychopharmacology.
• Knowledge of assessment & treatment planning.
• Knowledge of individual/group therapy and crisis intervention techniques.
• Knowledge of laws and regulations that affect the delivery of services provided by the Department.
• Knowledge of community resources, and alternative care resources.
• Working knowledge of mental health and AODA assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.
• Working knowledge of client rights, confidentiality, standards of practice, and ethics in mental health/AODA field.
• Working knowledge of applicable Wisconsin State Administrative Codes, including but not limited to, Chapters 34, 35, 36, 48, 51, 55, 63 and 75.
• Knowledge of human development and behavior, family and group dynamics, and mental, physical and social dysfunctions.
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to cultural differences and special needs of various minority groups, and ability to consult with other staff regarding these.
• Ability and skill to relate to clients in stressful or crisis situations.
• General knowledge of interviewing and supportive counseling techniques.
• General knowledge of social casework techniques.
• Knowledge of social, economic, and health problems of basic human behavior and of available assistance and rehabilitative services and techniques.

• Knowledge of human service needs assessment methodologies.
• Knowledge of legal requirements including privacy, resident rights, confidentiality, and non-discrimination.
• Knowledge of goals, principles, and practices of human service programs, program administration, and program goals and their intended impacts.

• Knowledge of the County and Department’s operating requirements, policies, procedures, and practices; and local, State, and Federal regulations related to department programs and operations.
• Skill in analyzing complex administrative information and issues, defining problems and evaluating alternatives, and recommending methods, procedures, and techniques for resolution of issues.
• Ability to research and analyze detailed information and make appropriate recommendations.
• Ability to develop, interpret, and implement regulations, policies, procedures, written instructions, general correspondence, and other department-specific documents.
• Ability to adapt and take control of situations, dictating subordinate activities in a responsible manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain accurate records of assigned activities and operations.
• Ability to interpret and implement local policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; Federal, State, and local regulations.
• Skill in organizational and time management to prioritize duties to accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority.
• Ability to perform detailed work accurately and independently in compliance with stringent time limits requiring minimal direction and supervision.
• Ability to think quickly, maintain self-control, and adapt to stressful situations.
• Knowledge of current office practices and procedures and knowledge of the operation of standard office equipment and software.
• Knowledge of computer software including word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications consistent for this position.
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations required of this position.
• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively in English in both written and verbal form.
• Skill in researching and understanding complex written materials.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate and concise records and reports.
• Ability to apply sound judgment and discretion in performing duties, resolving problems, and interpreting policies and regulations.
• Ability to communicate detailed and often sensitive information effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to handle sensitive interpersonal situations calmly and tactfully.
• Ability to maintain professionalism at all times.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with individuals within and outside the organization.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion regarding business-related files, reports, and conversations, within the provisions of open records laws and other applicable State and Federal statutes and regulations.

PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms.
• Work has standard vision requirements.
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities.
• Frequent travel may involve exposure to inclement weather conditions, unsanitary conditions in homes, communicable illnesses and diseases and unsafe environments.
• May require dealing with persons who are hostile, aggressive, abusive or violent, posing threatening conditions.
• Work is performed in an office setting as well as clients' and service providers' homes, detention, treatment and residential facilities, schools, courts and work sites.

Dodge County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.     

If you are a job seeker with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to apply for one of our jobs, you will find the contact information to request the appropriate accommodation by visiting the following page: Accessibility Accommodation for Applicants