Contract Program Therapist - Up To $60/Hr

Hospital for Behavioral Medicine (HBM) specializes in mental health treatment. Our 120-bed facility is equipped with the latest safety features designed to provide patients with a comfortable environment to receive therapeutic care. Situated in Worcester County, Hospital for Behavioral Medicine is the newest mental health facility of its kind in the state of Massachusetts and is a joint venture between HBM and UMass Memorial Health Care. A short drive from the UMass Memorial Medical Center, HBM is designed to serve members of the community both near and far.

To learn more about Hospital for Behavioral Medicine, please visit: https://www.hospitalforbehavioralmedicine.com/

If you feel that your skills and compassion fit with our vision for person-centered care and want to make a difference in your community, we invite you to apply today!

Position Details

This position is a 13 week contract position paid on a bi-weekly salaried basis at:

• License Eligible/LCSW: $4,400 bi-weekly
• LICSW/LMHC: $4,800 bi-weekly

HBM is currently seeking to fill various shifts. Please select your shift availability during the application process.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Program Therapist performs social services functions to include assisting patients in meeting their bio psychosocial needs while enabling them to access through therapeutic treatment skills to achieve their optimal level of emotional health, including providing basic consultation, teaching, complete specialized clinical social work services for patients/families receiving care, crisis intervention, short-term and long-term family therapy, and providing information and referrals as needed.

Therapeutic Services/Competencies

Intervention

• Effectively employ principles of communication, interviewing techniques, problem solving and crisis intervention when performing psychotherapeutic interventions.
• Assist with reviewing all new admissions to ensure completion of essential paperwork.
• Document and report infections to the Infection Control Nurse.
• Utilize appropriate interventions in psychiatric emergencies.
• Utilize a variety of techniques to assist in the resolution of patient problems.
• Ensure interventions are carried out in the patients plan of care.

Milieu

• Assures patients are adequately oriented to the program.
• Utilizes universal precautions when caring for a patient.
• Uses self as a role model to promote health communication.
• Monitor program activities and encourage patient participation.
• Develop and facilitate groups for patients and/or significant others as appropriate.

Treatment Planning

• Assigns and directs other personnel in the implementation of the nursing care plans and verifies this care through direct observation and review of the chart.
• Ensure that the treatment plan has specific measurable goals, objectives and interventions defining actions unique to each patients needs.
• Participate in the development of an interdisciplinary treatment plan based on patient assessment/needs in compliance with facility time frames.
• As appropriate, when goals/objectives are met, participate in revision and update.

Teaching

• Evaluate and document effectiveness of all patient teaching.
• Promote learning experiences and provide educational materials to patients and their families.
• Provide opportunities for patient and families to questions, discuss and explore their feelings about prescribed therapies/interventions/diagnosis.
• Provide education to patients and families based on their identified needs and limitations in learning.

Specific Standards for the Care of Child Patients Ages 5 through 11

• Recognize acting out behavior of child specific age group and set appropriate limits in clear, concise, behavioral and non-judgmental terms based on the age of the patient.
• Maintain knowledge of children's stages of development and seek guidance from the nurse in charge when questions about the norms for behavior related to child development arise.
• Utilize seclusion and restraint procedures with an understanding of the need for modification in regard to smaller body sizes of children, abandonment issues and the history of physical and/or sexual abuse issue.
• Maintain knowledge of the Child Program rules, protocols and handbooks guidelines.
• Relate to child patients in an age appropriate manner.
• Act as a resource to other staff in regard to the Child Patient Programs.
• Demonstrate an awareness of learning disabilities and translates treatment/program expectations to the learning disabled child.
• Assess patients for behaviors consistent with the developmental stages and make note of any deviations in behavior.

Specific Standards for the Care of Adolescent Patients Ages 12 through 18

• Maintain knowledge of the Adolescent Program rules, protocols and handbooks guidelines.
• Recognize acting out behavior of adolescent specific age group and set appropriate limits in clear, concise, behavioral and non-judgmental terms based on the age of the patient.
• Relate to adolescent patients in an age appropriate manner.
• Utilize seclusion and restraint procedures with an understanding of the need for modification in regard to smaller body sizes of adolescents, abandonment issues and the history of physical and/or sexual abuse issue.
• Act as a resource to other staff in regard to the Adolescent Patient Programs.
• Demonstrate an awareness of learning disabilities and translates treatment/program expectations to the learning disabled adolescent.
• Assess patients for behaviors consistent with the developmental stages and makes note of any deviations in behavior.

Specific Standards for the Care of Adult Patients Ages 19 through 64

• Utilize theoretical concepts to guide the effective practice of adult care within Specific Standards of Care for this age group.
• Utilize seclusion/restraint procedures applicable to adult body size and past history of violent or emotional behaviors.
• Recognize behaviors and set appropriate limits in clear, concise, behaviors and non-judgmental terms.
• Gather information from the patient, family and interdisciplinary team and use judgments based on knowledge of adult behaviors in treatment planning and interventions.
• Maintain current knowledge of the Adult Program rules, protocols and handbook guidelines.

Specific Standards for the Care of Geriatric Patients Ages 65 and older

• Utilize interventions based on gerontological theory to restore patients functional capabilities and to prevent complications and excess disability.
• Utilize theoretical concepts to guide the effective practice of gerontological health care and behavioral care.
• Gather the appropriate information from the patient, family and interdisciplinary team and use therapeutic judgments based on knowledge of gerontological health/behavioral care practices to develop a comprehensive plan of care.
• Maintain knowledge of the developmental tasks and sociological theories of aging.
• Maintain a complete knowledge of treatments, medications and side effects of such in the geriatric age group.

Specific Standards for the Care of Chemically Dependent Patients

• Collaborate with other chemical dependency staff professionals in planning for discharge and follow-up care.
• Maintain an awareness of how personal issues relating the co-dependency can impact work performance/relationships.
• Assesses patient needs as related to chemical dependency and document the plan of care from the admission through discharge.
• Recognize and establish limits on medication-seeking behaviors.

Additional Standards

• Attend all mandatory facility in-services and staff development activities as scheduled.
• Maintain confidentiality of facility employees and patient information.
• Support facility-wide quality/performance improvement goals and objectives.
• Adhere to facility, department, corporate, personnel and standard policies and procedures.
• Adhere to facility standards concerning conduct, dress, attendance and punctuality.

Note: The essential job functions of this position are not limited to the duties listed above.

Education: Master's Degree from an accredited college or university, in Social Work or a clinical related mental health field preferred.

Experience: A minimum of two (2) years experience in a psychiatric health care facility, with direct experience in family and group therapies, crisis intervention, and treatment skills; and have strong clinical assessment skills preferred.

License: Massachusetts State license in social work or clinical related mental health field preferred. (LCSW, LICSW, or LMHC)

Additional Requirements: CPR certification and management of aggressive behavior training within 30 days of employment prior to assisting in a restraining procedure. Must be able to pass a competency exam for the area upon hire. May be required to work flexible hours and overtime.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

THIS SECTION DESCRIBES WHAT KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES AN EMPLOYEE IN THIS POSITION SHOULD CURRENTLY POSSESS. THIS LIST MAY NOT BE COMPLETE FOR ALL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND MENTAL ABILITIES REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION.

• Ability to recognize the importance of adapting to the various patient age groups (adolescent, adult and geriatric).
• Knowledge of family and group therapy techniques.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients and co-workers.
• Ability to meet corporate deadlines.
• Knowledge of therapeutic planning and techniques.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Skill in organizing and prioritizing workloads to meet deadlines.
• Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations.
• Ability to accept direction and adhere to policies and procedures.
• Ability to work as a team player.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of strong clinical assessment skills.
• Strong clinical assessment skills
• Skill in telephone etiquette and paging procedures.
• Ability to adhere to safety policies and procedures.
• Ability to demonstrate tact, resourcefulness, patience and dedication.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention procedures.
• Ability to use good judgment and to maintain confidentiality of information.