Assessment Counselor

Position: (On-site/Full time) Assessor/Outpatient Therapist

Summary: The clinician conducts an intensive clinical and functional evaluation of a recipient’s (children/adolescents and adults) mental health and substance abuse condition that results in the issuance of a Comprehensive Mental Health/Substance Abuse Assessments report with a recommendation regarding the level of care and target population criteria that serves as the basis for the development of an initial Person-Centered Plan or Treatment Plan, which includes a Crisis Plan. Outpatient therapy provides intensive clinical therapeutic services to children, adolescents, and adults with identified mental health or substance abuse and co-occurring diagnosis. Outpatient therapy is a core service that is designed to meet the specific mental health needs of the identified client as they relate to their diagnosis. This includes psycho-educational activities/interventions designed to assist the client in the reduction of dysfunction. Services are provided with client-centered and family-centered and are delivered through intensive time-limited and goal-specific interventions.

Minimum Requirements

• Must be fully or provisionally licensed or have met requirements to be provisionally licensed
• Maintain current licensure and professional liability insurance
• Outpatient Therapists must be credentialed by applicable Managed Care Organizations
• Must have at least one year of experience with adults/children who have emotional and/or behavioral issues
• Approved rendering services to Medicaid clients
• Experience or familiarity with Medicaid billing documentation
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely (orally and in written formats)
• Ability to utilize necessary computer hardware and software
• Attend necessary meetings (team meetings/family meetings) as determined by the clinician
• Attend staff meetings
• Adhere to all LME/MCO, state, and federal regulatory guidelines in service delivery.

Job Roles, Duties, and Responsibilities

DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENT

• Evaluate/assess a chronological general health and behavioral health history (includes both mental health and substance abuse) of the recipient’s symptoms, treatment, treatment response, and attitudes about treatment over time, emphasizing factors that have contributed to or inhibited previous recovery efforts
• Evaluate/assess biological, psychological, familial, social, developmental, and environmental dimensions and identified strengths and weaknesses in each area
• Evaluate/assess the presenting problems, including the source of distress, precipitating events, associated problems or symptoms, recent progressions, and current medications
• Complete a strengths/problem summary that addresses risk of harm, functional status, co-morbidity, recovery environment, and treatment and recovery history
• Diagnose the recipient from the DSM-5, or any subsequent editions of this reference material
• Make recommendations regarding target population eligibility
• Utilize recipient participation including families, or when applicable, guardians or other caregivers
• For substance abuse-focused Diagnostic/Assessment, the designated Diagnostic Tool specified by DMH (e.g., ASAM, SUDDS IV, ASI, SASSI) for specific substance abuse target populations (i.e., Work First, DWI, etc.) will be used
• Develop the initial PCP or treatment plan
• May complete an interdisciplinary team progress note that documents the team’s review and discussion of the assessment
• Responsible for receiving referrals and following referrals until assigned to clinician or service
• Rescind referrals when indicated
• Follow up with referral sources
• Submit documentation in the medical record associated with all contacts in a timely manner
• Responsible for and supervise all Intake Staff

OUTPATIENT THERAPY

• Individual therapy
• Family therapy
• Group therapy
• Monitoring and reporting clients' progress in treatment
• Providing the appropriate documentation for service delivery including treatment goals, progress notes, and billing and submitting documentation as specified by Medicaid guidelines
• Continually assess client needs, service availability, and appropriateness
• Provide needed documentation to outside agencies that request treatment summary letters and other information relating to the consumer’s treatment
• Work cooperatively with treatment team members and the family in the provision of services to meet the goals developed in the treatment plan
• Rendering any other necessary functions in relation to outpatient therapy.

Benefits include: CEU access, Free NCI+, CRP/First aid Training, Motivational Training, Cognitive Behavioral Training, Person-Centered Thinking Training, and more.