Behavioral Health Clinician - Temporary Observation Unit (TOU) - Adult CSU, Lawrenceville

View Point Health

Job Title: Behavioral Health Clinician

Job Code: HCP051/Social Worker, Licensed 2 or HCP 052/Social Worker 3 (Fully Licensed)

Shift: Full-Time (40 hours per week on average)

Job Hours: 8:30am - 5:00pm

Base Location: Lawrenceville, GA.

Division/Department/Program: Temporary Observation Unit (TOU) Adult CSU

View Point Health is a state agency of Georgia that provides individual and group counseling, medication management, recovery and crisis stabilization services for behavioral health and developmental disabilities.

The View Point Health Adult Crisis Stabilization Program is located in Lawrenceville, Georgia. We serve adult clients with psychiatric crisis intervention and stabilization services as well as substance use disorders.

We offer a multidisciplinary approach to treatment services. Our recovery approach is with Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), mental health clinical support services, substance use support and medication management.

Our goal is to provide person-centered care and utilize a trauma-informed approach to our client and their treatment.

A Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) operates 24 hours/7 days a week (including weekends and holidays) to provide a safe, structured, and locked environment for clients experiencing a mental health crisis. The services are like residential treatment but provide a higher level of care due to the acuity of the clients who are in crisis. Our units operate much like a psychiatric hospital.

A client typically stays at the CSU about 5 – 7 days to ensure he/she is stable from the prompting event of their crisis prior to discharge. Clients do not leave the facility during their stay with us.

Additionally, we offer a Temporary Observation Unit (TOU) at the Adult Crisis Stabilization Unit. In our TOU area, we provided evaluation services within a 23-hour period to determine whether an admission to the Crisis Stabilization Unit or inpatient psychiatric facility is needed or if the client would be able to be stabilized with more intensive outpatient (rather than inpatient/hospital) service setting. During time on TOU a client may or may not be on an involuntary status and will be assessed by a nurse, physician, and clinician. A paraprofessional and CPS may also provide services during this time to assess the clients’ overall needs and level of care. In addition to the initial assessment, clinicians may also provide crisis intervention services, individual and family counseling services as well as case management in order to assist in determining client plan at end of their 23 hours stay.

Currently at our Adult Unit, we are looking for a Fully Licensed Clinician (LCSW, LPC, LMFT) to join our team working on the Temporary Observation Unit (TOU). This position is on-site and does not accommodate a remote schedule or working from home.

The TOU Clinician will work with adult clientele placed in the Temporary Observation Unit. The Clinician will provide comprehensive assessment and treatment planning. Clinicians may, when clinically appropriate, provide individual counseling to identify triggers for crisis behaviors, process emotions, and work toward coping skills identification. Family counseling services may also be offered, when clinically appropriate with client consent, to engage family into treatment, proactively address conflicts/barriers for care, and assist with safety planning in the home. Case management services will also be provided to link with meaningful resources that support the client having safe placement and aftercare services that address behavioral health and other needs. Crisis Intervention services may also be provided when indicated. The Clinician will assist/partner with the multi-disciplinary team in developing plans of care all while cooperatively working to ensure smooth transitions to other levels of care. This position is responsible for providing billable services and will be responsible for meeting set minimum billing goals.

Duties & Responsibilities:

This position would cover a caseload of up to 6 clients and entails:

• Complete initial billable activity (Behavioral Health Assessment and Service Plan
• Development H0031 U3 U6) for each new admit into TOU during that shift. Sessions must be a minimum of 60 minutes (4 units) with each client that is able to participate and should not exceed 3 hours (12 units).
• Complete any follow up billable activities to clients that were previously met with in TOU w/in the last 23 hours.

o Individual Outpatient Services (Individual Counseling 90832, 90834, 90837 U3 U6). Clients should be met with for individual counseling whenever possible if initial BHA has been completed. Sessions must be a minimum of 30 minutes with 60-minute sessions preferred for all clients that are able to participate (45-minute sessions are also allowable). A non-billable note must be documented in EMR for all individual counseling sessions attempted and reason client was unable to participate.

o Family Outpatient Services (Family Counseling W/Out Client H0004 HS U3 U6, Family Counseling W/Client H0004 HR U3 U6, Family Psychotherapy W/Out Client 90846 U3 U6, Conjoint Family Psychotherapy W/Client Present 90847 U3 U6). Clients should have family counseling sessions documented whenever clinically warranted based on criteria. Sessions may be made with or without clients present and can be done via telemedicine so family members can engage. Sessions must be a minimum of 30 minutes (2 units) with 60-minute sessions preferred for all clients that are able to participate and should not exceed 1 hour (4 units).

• Complete discharge planning billable activity (Case Management T1016 U4 U6). Sessions must be a minimum of 15 minutes (1 unit) with 30-minute sessions preferred and not to exceed 3 hours (12 units).
• May complete Crisis Intervention services (H2011 U3 U6) as needed by clients in TOU. Sessions must be a minimum of 15 minutes (1 unit) and no longer than 3.5 hours (14 units).
• Billable sessions include the following:

o Complete initial treatment plan, comprehensive assessment, and suicide risk assessment during BHA

o Clinical support based upon based on Dialectical Behavior Therapy and safety planning during individual and family counseling sessions.

o During family counseling sessions: gathering collateral information from family members to assist in understanding level of functioning, determining aftercare placement and services, identifying barriers to treatment, identifying coping tools to use when crisis behaviors arise and to avoid/manage triggers.

o During Case Management: determine client’s level of care, service needs; examine service gaps, refer, and link with follow-up placement and connection to supports and services needed for treatment.

o De-escalation of crisis behaviors, modeling and teaching coping tools, encouraging use of coping skills, safety planning during crisis intervention services.

• Assist with transfer process from TOU to inpatient facilities or outpatient services to include referral process coordination, appointment scheduling, or transportation.
• Completes service authorizations within required time frames for insured and uninsured clients.
• · Attend treatment team daily to discuss client progress and recommendations based on services provided. If not available to attend, provide a handoff report to TOU team member that is attending.
• Complete all documentation within 24 hours of service and adhere to all documentation guidelines and service definitions for interventions for services to appropriately be billed.
• Address all failed claims/activities and daily review of Carelogic alerts.
• Meet daily billing goals of 4.5 hours (18 units or 360 units per month). Communicate with supervisors when unable to complete due to census or other reasons.
• Comply with all Viewpoint Health company policies specific to the employee manual and additional site-specific guidelines.
• Rotation of evening and weekend coverage of TOU.
• Additional duties as assigned.
• Completion of unit groups focused on recovery or DBT distress tolerance.
• Support with CSU clinical duties as needed/assigned.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Master's degree in social work and counseling from an accredited college or university and eligibility to be licensed and two (2) years of supervised experience in the area of assignment or two years of experience at the lower level Social Worker, Licensed 1 (HCP050) or position equivalent.

Note: Some position s require licensure in the state of Georgia as an LAPC or LMSW.

Master's degree in social work and counseling from an accredited college or university and licensure in the area of assignment and two (2) years of experience at the lower level Social Worker, Licensed 2 (HCP051) or position equivalent; or Master's degree in social work and counseling from an accredited college or university and licensure in the area of assignment and two (2) years of related post-license experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Full clinical licensure in the state of GA (LCSW, LPC)
• Previous work experience in a crisis stabilization, inpatient setting or IFI/ACT team experience

Requirements/Competencies:

• Must be able to lift 20 pounds.
• Requires long periods of sitting/standing.
• Must be able to respond quickly to sounds.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, move about, hear and speak.
• Must be able to pass physical requirements of MANDT training (i.e. - standing from knees without using hands, regular transitions from knees to standing, and perform holds).
• Must be able to restrain an individual over 100 pounds.
• Candidates for selection must pass a criminal background check (including fingerprinting).
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screen and subject to random drug screens.

Note: Some positions may require a valid driver's license.

Benefits (for qualified employees):

• State Health Benefits Package (medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, long-term care, legal services, flexible spending accounts)
• Paid New Hire Training
• Company contributes additional 7.5% of salary to 401(a) Retirement Plan
• No employee deduction for Social Security
• Additional benefits such as legal services, Employee Assistance Program and discounted tickets to attractions, shopping, technology, and travel
• Supervision, training, and continuing education opportunities available

View Point Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer: View Point Health recruits qualified candidates for positions in View Point Health programs throughout its service area. It is the policy of View Point Health to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination or harassment of any type without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.