Licensed Psychologist/ Licensed Psychologist Associate

JOB DESCRIPTION: Psychotherapist (1099 independent contractor)

PROGRAM: Changing Lives at Home Mental Health, Inc.

SUPERVISED BY: Clinical Supervisor

COMPENSATION:

The company will pay for required clinical supervision up to Maryland Board mandated minimum.

$46,800 - $78,000 per year ($30-$50/ individual session and $10-$15/participant in each group session). Must render a minimum 38 (45-minute) treatment sessions per week (each service rendered must be supported by a compliant service document) payable biweekly. *Service documents written and signed by the service provider must be submitted to the supervisor on the same day the service was rendered. No additional compensation is paid for extra time documenting services rendered beyond the 45-minute allotment for individuals which consist of 38 minutes face to face and 7 minutes documentation time. For groups you are allotted 60-minutes which consists of 45 minutes face to face and 15 minutes documentation time.

In summary the psychotherapist is compensated for the following services:

• individual psychotherapy sessions documented in accordance with documentation guidelines on the agency's electronic medical record

• group psychotherapy sessions documented in accordance with documentation guidelines on the agency's electronic medical record

• clinical/administrative supervision / meeting time

• in services/training time

WORK SCHEDULE: The Psychotherapist sets their own schedule to render contract services to the program. It is suggested that the services are rendered during the times and days the office is open for administrative support and when the clients being serviced are most active; which are Monday – Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Clients are available to be seen on the weekends if you choose to schedule in advanced.

ANTICIPATED TRAVEL: 5% of the time. There is no additional compensation for travel.

SUMMARY OF POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES: The Psychotherapist will be responsible for assessment of clients including the development, evaluation, and modification of the plan of care. The clinician interprets and performs complex client care procedures specific to their area of expertise. Sets objectives and goals for treatment and develops treatment plans in conjunction with the medical director, implements and monitors treatment plan. Provides individual or group treatment, such as psychotherapy, supportive therapy or crisis intervention on a long term or short-term basis to various populations and age groups. Advise the program director on the development and implementation or rehabilitation services to assure that those services meet the needs of the individuals served by the program.

This is a community based outpatient treatment position. Services will be rendered in designated community based offices or in the community.

Services are rendered in a multidisciplinary team approach. You will regularly collaborate with psychiatric nurse practitioners, community integration workers, and other counselors on your team.

QUALITY OF DOCUMENTATION:

• 
  Complete every section of any requested continued PRP collaboration forms and include the priority population diagnosis listed on the PRP referral on the form.

• Complete every section of any complete assessments of your discipline (psychosocial/diagnostic evaluations) in the agency's electronic medical record

• Individual treatment plans (ITP) must be person centered and must quote the client in the 'goal', 'strengths' and 'needs' sections of the document.

• The client/guardian, all assigned therapists/counselors and the medical director must each individual treatment plan.

• Contact / progress notes for each session are to be completed and signed in the agency's electronic medical record on the date the service is rendered. It is suggested that the clinician document contact notes for 15 minutes at the end of each 38-45-minute session.

• Contact notes must include at minimum: the date, the start time, end time, duration of session, the reason for visit, the mental status exam, delivery of services specified by the ITP, description of the service provided, plan for changes in treatment (if any), individuals progress toward treatment goals, and the psychotherapists’ signature.

• Progress/contact notes are documented by accessing the agency's electronic medical record

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Update and sign only the psychotherapy (individual, group, or family) section of Individual Treatment Plan (ITP) and its’ respective interventions/goals every 6 months or sooner as medically necessary. If no update is required to the content, review and sign the ITP. The treatment coordinator is primarily responsible for writing master treatment plan and establishing treatment plan expiration date.

2. Assist with entitlement forms during sessions as needed.

3. Participate in weekly individual supervision / group supervision with clinical supervisor.

4. When scheduled for crisis duty, be available on-call to clients in the event of a mental health crisis; providing direct intervention over the phone, face to face, or via telemedicine where necessary. On the same day crisis service is rendered, document crisis intervention services rendered in the electronic medical record software and notify the supervisor.

5. Report to the supervisor daily and as requested.

6. Collaborate with Direct Support (PRP) workers, direct care staff, psychiatric nurse practitioners and other treatment team members daily as needed to facilitate a multi-disciplinary approach to treatment

7. Complete recurring schedule for all clients in the agency's electronic medical record software, weeks end for the following week making updates as necessary.

8. Support clinical issues and make corrections and recommendations.

9. Provide individual, family and group therapy.

10. Collaboration with outside agencies in order to arrange for community services beneficial to clients. And to provide ongoing collaboration between the treatment team and case workers.

11. Have input into and assist care planning for clients. This includes completion of paperwork prior to discharge, addressing aftercare needs and placement plans.

12. Ensure treatment arrangements

13. Document client and client family's responsibility to individual and/or family therapy in the client's chart on a routine basis. Document all contact with other agencies and for all sessions with client.

14. Document all arrangements made for care planning in the medical record, including completion of Aftercare Plan.

15. Attend and contribute to treatment planning sessions. Completion of treatment plans (in collaboration with the treatment coordinator) for assigned clients for both insurance and COMAR regulations.

16. Responsible for supervisor signing off on chart documentation accordingly.

17. Complete treatment plans before the fifth visit.

18. Responsible for chart overflow and breakdown. Complete assigned client chart audits monthly.

19. Conduct evaluation/mental health assessment under the supervision of appropriate credentialed staff and provide follow up services as defined.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Maintain 30-35 billable service units per week. (Full TIME Only)

2. Service assigned clients on an individual basis 1-2 times per week.

3. Facilitate groups a minimum of once a week.

4. Have a minimum of once monthly family therapy sessions with client present (children/parents/other related persons involved in client’s care)

5. Complete documentation in the electronic medical record on the same date session is completed

6. Collaborate with the treatment coordinator treatment plan developments before the 5th session and ensure signatures by all members of client's treatment team.

7. Coordinate referrals for additional levels of service as needed and requested by family/client.

8. Address any and all clinical concerns with direct supervisor.

9. Participate in weekly supervision.

10. For clients who are students, maintain clients and caseload over school breaks by providing community based services.

11. Collaborate with service providers to ensure all areas of client’s treatment needs are being addressed.

12. Utilize evidence based therapeutic framework, counsel clients, individually and group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life and making changes.

13. Guide clients in the development of skills and strategies for dealing with their problems using evidence based modalities.

14. Encourage clients to express their feelings and discuss what is happening in their lives and help them to develop insight into themselves and their relationships.

15. Develop and implement treatment plans based on clinical experience and knowledge.

16. Modify treatment activities and approaches as needed in order to comply with changes in client’s status.

17. Learn about new developments in their field by reading professional literature, attending courses and seminars, establishing and maintaining contact with other social service agencies.

18. Counsel family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with and supporting clients.

19. Maintain confidentiality of records relating to client’s treatment.

20. Participate in external and internal audits/surveys (The Joint Commission/CSA/OHCQ) as directed by supervisor.

21. Participate in quality assurance and performance improvement plans by completing periodic audits or other activities to ensure regulatory compliance and/or improve service delivery.

22. As requested, assist the revenue cycle management department with obtaining ongoing service authorizations to continue PRP services.

23. Assist the supervisor with any work-related tasks as requested.

24. Collaborate with and serve as program POC for external treatment providers and outside agencies as needed.

25. Responsible for following regulations of COMAR, The Joint Commission, any other regulatory body, and company policies/ procedures related to service delivery and documentation and co-facilitating orientation of all new hires to these as well.

26. Support the maintenance of a safe environment by participating in trainings and drills as requested.

LEVEL OF EDUCATION/TRAINING/QUALIFICATIONS:

• Possess at least a master’s degree in counseling, psychology, or social work (Interns and students pursuing such degrees may provide services under this scope through contract with the higher learning institution only
  
• 1-year experience in psychotherapy / counseling adults and minors with mental illness and co-occurring substance abuse disorders

REQUIRED CERTIFICATION/LICENSE:

Must be Maryland licensed in one of the following disciplines: Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Regularly walk, stand or stoop; occasionally lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects weighing up to 25 pounds; and regularly drives a motor vehicle.

WORKING CONDITIONS: Work is performed in an office, in client’s homes or in the community; Work exposes incumbent to contagious or infectious diseases; Work may expose incumbent to dangerous and volatile situations; which could result in bodily injury.

MUST BE COVID VACCINATED or at least have your first dose by start date with the 2nd dose scheduled and documented.