LICENSED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH THERAPIST- RURAL COMMUNITIES

Job Details: Level: Experienced, Job Location: Frisco City Family Medical Center - Frisco, AL, Salary Range: Undisclosed, JOB SUMMARY

The Licensed Behavioral Health Therapist provides comprehensive behavioral health services to patients of Franklin Primary Health Center, Inc. The position is responsible for conducting behavioral health assessments, developing individualized treatment plans, providing evidence-based therapeutic interventions, coordinating care, and supporting patients experiencing mental health, behavioral, emotional, and psychosocial concerns.

The Therapist works collaboratively with behavioral health providers, primary care providers, care coordination staff, and other members of the interdisciplinary care team to support integrated, patient-centered care. The position may provide services at FPHC clinic locations and designated rural service areas, including Baldwin, Escambia, Conecuh, Monroe, and Choctaw Counties, based on organizational and patient-care needs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Conducts comprehensive behavioral health assessments to evaluate patients' mental health, emotional, behavioral, and psychosocial needs.
Develops, implements, monitors, and updates individualized treatment plans based on patient needs, clinical findings, established goals, and applicable standards of care.
Provides individual, family, and/or group counseling and psychotherapy within the scope of the Therapist's professional license and clinical competency.
Utilizes appropriate evidence-based therapeutic interventions and treatment modalities based on patient diagnosis, needs, age, condition, and treatment goals.
Evaluates patients for behavioral health concerns, including depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use, behavioral disorders, and other mental health conditions within the scope of practice.
Performs crisis assessment and intervention and appropriately responds to patients presenting with suicidal ideation, self-harm concerns, threats of harm to others, or other behavioral health emergencies in accordance with established protocols.
Completes timely, accurate, and clinically appropriate documentation of assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, interventions, patient responses, referrals, and other required information in the electronic health record (EHR).
Collaborates with physicians, behavioral health providers, nursing staff, social services, care coordinators, and other members of the interdisciplinary care team to promote continuity and coordination of care.
Provides patient and family education regarding diagnoses, treatment options, coping strategies, behavioral health resources, and strategies to support treatment goals.
Identifies barriers to treatment and assists patients with accessing appropriate behavioral health, medical, social service, substance use, and community resources.
Makes appropriate referrals to psychiatrists, psychologists, substance use treatment providers, hospitals, community agencies, and other services when a patient's needs exceed the scope of available services.
Monitors patient progress toward established treatment goals and modifies treatment interventions and plans as clinically appropriate.
Maintains appropriate professional boundaries and protects patient confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA, organizational policies, professional ethics, and applicable state and federal requirements.
Participates in behavioral health team meetings, case conferences, quality improvement initiatives, clinical reviews, staff meetings, and other organizational activities as required.
Maintains professional knowledge and clinical competency through continuing education and remains current regarding evidence-based behavioral health practices and applicable professional standards.
Maintains all licenses, credentials, continuing education requirements, and other qualifications necessary to practice in the State of Alabama.
Provides behavioral health services at assigned FPHC locations and may travel to rural clinic locations or other designated service areas based on organizational needs.
Performs other related duties and special assignments as directed by the Director of Behavioral Health or other authorized leadership.

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION REQUIREMENTS

Must provide the highest level of customer satisfaction to patients, families, visitors, coworkers, and community partners in a professional, compassionate, and courteous manner. Demonstrates respect for each patient, protects privacy and confidentiality, responds appropriately to patient concerns, communicates effectively, and promotes a welcoming and supportive environment. Provides culturally responsive and patient-centered services while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

Performance will be evaluated annually by the Director of Behavioral Health and/or designee. An overall satisfactory rating is considered the minimum acceptable level of performance. Performance will be evaluated based on clinical competency, quality and timeliness of documentation, patient care, productivity, compliance, teamwork, professionalism, and adherence to organizational policies and established standards of care.

HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

Must adhere to FPHC safety regulations, policies, and procedures.
Must complete required Safety and Hazard Communication training and other mandatory organizational training.
Must comply with applicable infection prevention, emergency preparedness, workplace safety, and OSHA requirements.
Must follow established procedures for responding to behavioral health emergencies and situations that may present a risk to the patient, staff, or others.

PRIVACY RULE COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS

Adheres to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy and Security Rule policies and procedures.
Successfully completes required privacy and confidentiality training annually and as organizational policies or regulatory requirements are revised.
Protects the confidentiality and security of patient information in all verbal, written, and electronic communications.
Accesses, uses, and discloses patient information only as necessary to perform assigned job responsibilities and in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and organizational policies.
Maintains appropriate safeguards for behavioral health records and other sensitive patient informatio

Qualifications: QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Counseling, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Psychology, or a closely related behavioral health field required.
Must possess a current, active license to practice in the State of Alabama as one of the following:

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

Clinical experience providing behavioral health assessments, treatment planning, counseling, psychotherapy, crisis intervention, and/or other behavioral health services is required.
Experience providing services in an outpatient healthcare, community mental health, integrated behavioral health, FQHC, or similar clinical setting is preferred.
Experience working with underserved, rural, or medically vulnerable populations is preferred.
Experience providing services to diverse patient populations and collaborating with interdisciplinary healthcare teams is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of behavioral health assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, psychotherapy, crisis intervention, and evidence-based treatment approaches.
Knowledge of professional standards, ethical requirements, confidentiality requirements, and applicable laws and regulations governing behavioral health practice.
Ability to assess patient needs, establish appropriate treatment goals, provide therapeutic interventions, and evaluate treatment progress.
Ability to recognize and appropriately respond to behavioral health emergencies, including patients at risk for suicide, self-harm, or harm to others.
Ability to establish therapeutic relationships while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
Strong verbal and written communication, interpersonal, organizational, critical-thinking, and clinical documentation skills.
Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with physicians, behavioral health professionals, nursing staff, care coordinators, social services, and other members of an interdisciplinary team.
Ability to manage a clinical caseload, maintain required documentation, and meet established deadlines and productivity expectations.
Ability to use electronic health records, Microsoft Office applications, telehealth technology, and other systems required to perform assigned responsibilities.
Ability and willingness to travel between assigned FPHC clinic locations and designated rural service areas as required.
Must possess a valid driver's license and meet applicable FPHC authorized-driver requirements when driving is required for assigned duties.

CERTIFICATION, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS

Current and unrestricted Alabama licensure as an LPC, LCSW, or LMFT is required. Must maintain all continuing education and professional requirements necessary to keep the applicable license active and in good standing. Additional certifications may be required based on assigned clinical responsibilities.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS

Requires the ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, staff, and other professionals and to exercise sound clinical judgment in routine and crisis situations. Work may involve emotionally challenging situations and patients experiencing significant behavioral health concerns. Requires prolonged periods of sitting, computer use, documentation, telephone communication, and patient interaction. Must be able to travel between assigned locations when required.

PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION (PHI) ACCESS

RESTRICTED: This position requires access to Protected Health Information (PHI) necessary to provide behavioral health services, coordinate patient care, document clinical services, and perform assigned responsibilities. Access, use, and disclosure of PHI must be limited to the minimum necessary and conducted in accordance with applicable privacy policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.