Mental Health Therapist II, III or Licensed

Sea Mar Community Health Centers, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) founded in 1978, is a community-based organization committed to providing quality, comprehensive health, human, housing, educational and cultural services to diverse communities, specializing in service to Latinos in Washington State. Sea Mar proudly serves all persons without regard to race, ethnicity, immigration status, gender, or sexual orientation, and regardless of ability to pay for services. Sea Mar's network of services includes more than 90 medical, dental, and behavioral health clinics and a wide variety of nutritional, social, and educational services. We are recruiting for the following position:

Sea Mar is a mandatory COVID-19 and flu vaccine organization

Mental Health Therapist II, III or Licensed - Posting #25089

Hourly Rate: $27.84 - $31.32 (Mental Health Therapist II or III)

Salary Rate: $71,384.77 (Licensed Mental Health Therapist)

Position Summary:

Sea Mar Behavioral Health’s diverse and quickly expanding program is seeking a full-time therapist in our Tacoma location.

The Mental Health Therapist in this position will be completing assessments referrals for psychiatric services, case management in coordination with other teams or parties involved in treatment.  In addition, the Mental Health Therapist provides individual counseling, crisis stabilization, suicide risk assessment and treatment plans, and leads groups.  Assistance to the Program Manager in program development, policy and procedure development, compliance with WACs and RCWs, and other administrative tasks performed are as directed.  This job description does not suggest or imply that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee.  The person in this position will be required to follow other instructions and to perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor. Must be accessible to do some individual counseling coverage. 

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

ADMINISTRATIVE

• Assists in insuring agency compliance with WAC's, RCW's, and other pertinent laws, regulations, and contracts.
• Assists in developing and implementing policies and procedures as directed by the Program Director.
• Educates staff regarding the process for mental health service referrals and regarding "psycho educational topics (suicide risk assessment, behavior modification, etc.) as directed by the Program Manager or Director.
• Maintains documentation of mental health services, and follow through in patient charts.

CLINICAL DUTIES

• Provides diagnostic assessments for each patient during the program.  Documents outcomes, justifies diagnoses, and communicates with the primary Chemical Dependency Counselor regarding outcomes and recommendations.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span.
• Able to identify and categorize each patient’s age-specific grouping of needs, such as those for infant, adolescent, or geriatric patients.
• Refers patients to psychiatric services as appropriate.  Gathers record materials and background information as needed by the community mental health center. Attends session with the psychiatric service provider to insure accuracy of presentation and that identified needs are addressed.  Provides monitoring regarding the effects of medications, and feedback to the psychiatrist regarding effects/side effects.
• Provides consultation to Sea Mar staff regarding mental health and behavioral issues; and develops treatment plans with staff to address emotional needs and behavioral problems identified for patients.
• Provides individual counseling, in coordination with other system as needed.
• Provides suicide risk assessment and develop treatment plans to address suicidal ideation or gestures.  Uses case management as needed to provide follow through and build community support as follow through.  Provide other crisis stabilization as needed.
• Gathers information regarding past mental health services to be used in the individual’s treatment plan development. Provides mental health services referrals to patients prior to or following admission, and exchanges information with outside service providers.
• Supports other staff regarding mental health needs of staff or patients.  Maintains confidentiality, prevents splitting between staff and patients, and offers concrete ideas on handling challenging situations.

PRODUCTIVITY STANDARD (MHT II OR MHT III)

Performs a minimum of 80 hours of face-to-face contact and 80 encounters each month.

PRODUCTIVITY STANDARD (Licensed MHT)

• Produces at a minimum four (4) treatment encounters per day and at a minimum 920 clinical encounters per year.
• Must have understanding of the BHO contract requirements, enrollment, crisis requirement, 180 review requirements and discharge planning.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in psychology or social work, which includes course work in psychological diagnostics, is required. 
• Requires up to three (3) years experience in the field for a MH Therapist II.
• Requires four (4) or more years’ experience in the field for a MH Therapist III. 
• The Licensed Mental Health provider must possess an active, approved license from the Washington State Department of Health at all times. Must meet criteria of a Mental Health Professional (MHP). Responsible for his/her individual continuing education hours and licensing fees.
• Minority Mental Health Therapist as required by WAC. 
• Applicants should qualify as an MHP in accordance with state WACs. Must hold and maintain an active WA State Agency Affiliated Counselor License (may be pending for up to 60 days if applied for within 7 days of being offered employment) or mental health Associate License (includes Marriage and Family Therapist, Mental Health Counselor, and Clinical Social Worker). 
• Good oral and written skills is a must.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish preferred but not required.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must have and maintain a current TB test.
• Minority mental health therapist as required by WAC.
• This position must obtain Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR within 90 days of hire date and is required to maintain current BLS CPR throughout employment.
• Annual influenza vaccine required.  Only exception is for employees with a medical or religious exemption approved by Administration.  Employees with an approved medical or religious exemption must wear a mask at all time during the flu season.

What We Offer:

Sea Mar offers talented and motivated people the opportunity to work in a dynamic and growing community health organization. Working at Sea Mar Community Health Centers is more than just a job, it’s a fulfilling career with opportunity for advancement. The fringe benefits surpass most companies. For example, Full-time employees working 30 hours more, receive an excellent benefit package of:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Prescription coverage
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• EAP (Employee Assistance Program)
• Paid-time-off starting at 27 days per year + 10 paid Holidays.

We also offer 401(k)/Retirement options and an exciting opportunity to work in a culturally diverse environment. 

How to Apply:

To apply for this position, complete the online application and click SUBMIT or APPLY NOW. If you have any questions regarding the position, email James Presson, Program Manager at [email protected]

Sea Mar is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Posted 05/16/2023

External candidates considered after 05/19/2023

This position is represented by Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU).

Please visit our website to learn more about us at www.seamar.org. You may also apply thru our Career page at https://www.seamar.org/jobs-general.html