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Position Summary: Clinician - Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACT) - Advantage Behavioral Health System

This position, under supervision, learns to perform psychosocial assessments, treatment planning/monitoring and discharge planning. Provides counseling/therapy to clients requiring complex intervention. Performs commitment determinations and/or executes orders of involuntary commitments. and support to clients served by the Assertive Community Team. The ACT team provides treatment to adults with Severe and Persist Mental illness-who may also have co-occurring substance-related disorders in their homes and other community settings. ACT is a 24/7 service to individuals who need frequent contact often daily in order to manage their symptoms sufficiently to remain out of the hospital.

ACT’s overall goals include:

• To assist individuals to remain safety in the community and limit hospitalization and/or law enforcement involvement through reduction of risks, enhancement of protective factors and the extension of community tenure.
• To maintain our census so that services can be provided to those that need them.
• To ensure that individuals with co-occurring SUD and MH diagnoses receive treatment that addresses both substance use and mental health concerns.
• To provide additional supports to individuals transitioning from an inpatient psychiatric facility.

Job Responsibilities & Performance Standards:

• Performs job responsibilities with supervision
  • Performs or directs screening of patients/clients/consumers seeking services.
  • Determines appropriate services and alternate plans of care within an established time frame.
  • Performs or directs the intake process ensuring patient's/client's/consumer's information (medical, psychological, and financial) is assembled accurately to process applications.
  • Assigns appropriate priority to eligible applicants and refers ineligible ones to other community services.

• Serves as job expert or organization resource in assigned areas
  • Communicates accurately and clearly to the patient/client/consumer and his/her family members/significant others the identified treatment goals.
  • Monitors patient's/client's/consumer's progress through interviews, discussion with team members, chart reviews or other methods.
  • Accurately conveys progress information to family members/significant others as appropriate.
  • Writes concise, accurate, clear progress notes in the patient's/client's/consumer's chart as required by policy.

• Acts as client advocate to coordinate required services or to resolve crisis
  • Develops and maintains a network of community contacts.
  • Participates in strategy or review sessions, committees, and task force work to facilitate linkages and communication.
  • Represents the facility in planned community meetings.
  • Participates in meetings pertaining to case management, case collaboration and discharge planning providing appropriate patient/consumer information.
  • Arranges and/or provides follow-up appointment at patient's/consumer's local mental health prior to discharge.
  • Makes referrals to appropriate agencies for support services prior to date of discharge.

• Counsels clients in individual and group sessions to help them overcome dependencies, recover from illness, and adjust to life
  • Provides patient/family education sessions at time of admission, during hospitalization as needed and at time of discharge according to established guidelines.
  • Develops and presents educational programs on social work topics to employees, social work students, community groups, care providers or others as requested.

• Identifies environmental impediments to client of patient progress through interviews and review of patient records
  • Interviews applicants or employees to fill vacancies or promotional positions according to applicable laws, rules, and policies.
  • Selects or promotes the appropriate number of individuals who possess the skills needed to perform the required work.
  • Identifies training needs and ensures that necessary job-related instruction is provided to staff.
  • Discusses potential grievance-related concerns with employees to identify options or resolve issues prior to the formal filing of a grievance.
  • Advises employees of established grievance procedures.
  • Recommends or initiates disciplinary actions according to applicable rules and polices.

• Monitors, evaluates, and records client progress according to measurable goals described in treatment and care plan
  • Routinely conducts staffing meetings to discuss problems and resolutions, to assist staff in developing appropriate care plans and/or behavioral plans and to explain departmental procedural/policy changes.
  • Appropriately interprets, implements, and enforces compliance with policy/procedure and safety regulations.
  • Reviews staff's treatment assessments and recommendations for appropriateness and provides input as needed.
  • Reviews treatment documentation for accuracy and conformity in accordance with established agency guidelines.
  • Thoroughly evaluates interactions of supervised staff with patients/clients/consumers by direct observation, review of case presentations, audio or video tapes, progress notes or other records.
  • Accurately evaluates capabilities of supervised staff and assigns caseload to ensure that acceptable quality standards are maintained.
  • Intervenes in cases assigned to supervised staff as necessary to ensure patients/clients/consumers receive treatment according to accepted clinical standards.
  • Provides timely and effective feedback to supervised staff.
  • Models effective counseling and crisis management techniques for supervised staff.
  • Ensures that licensed staff maintain credentials to practice in their functional areas in accordance with accreditation standards, state, and federal laws.

• Organizes support groups or counsel family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, and supporting the client
  • Develops or directs residential/community site resources for patient/consumer placements.
  • Performs or directs recruitment, selection and assessment of potential residential/community care home providers as needed for employment.
  • Conducts consultation meetings with providers as necessary.
  • Meets with appropriate parties to resolve problematic issues/concerns.
  • Appropriately assesses knowledge and skill level of care providers by observing interactions between patients/consumers and care providers and individual interviews.
  • Develops and implements program policies and procedures as needed.
  • Thoroughly conducts or delegates the assessment of programs; provides feedback and recommendations based on findings and in accordance with established policies and procedures.
  • Monitors existing operated and contracted sites in accordance with established guidelines. May procure or develop new sites based upon identified consumer population needs.

• Performs clinical assessments of the behavioral health needs of consumers presenting for services
  • Maintains accurate inventory and replacement of all equipment and furnishings used in the program.
  • Maintains facility in accordance with local/state laws and established agency policies.
  • Conducts facility maintenance reviews to ensure compliance to established guidelines and takes corrective action as needed.
  • Ensures routine and emergency maintenance is performed on all equipment to keep in operable condition.
  • Ensures physical structures/facilities are appropriate to model of services provided and meet health, safety, and accessibility standards.

• Provides case management services related to identified treatment needs
  • Monitors expenditures and accurately prepares budgetary proposals.
  • Promptly identifies and responds appropriately to correct or minimize cost overruns.
  • Periodically evaluates program equipment, materials, and furniture to determine replacement costs for inclusion in budgetary figures.

• Provides training to direct care staff in implementing behavior modification techniques and treatment plans
  • Develops an effective program plan that includes philosophy, goals, description of persons served, and services provided.
  • Thoroughly conducts or delegates the assessment/evaluation of programs; provides feedback and recommendations based on findings in accordance with established policies and procedures and in compliance with psychological accreditation standards.
  • Develops and directs the implementation of appropriate activities for patients/consumers (i.e., living/survival/working skills, etc.).
  • Ensures staff procures and maintains appropriate supported community integration and therapeutic activities in accordance with established agency guidelines.

Entry Qualifications:

Clinician 1: Masters degree in a related area from an accredited college or university AND eligibility to be licensed in the state of Georgia.

Clinician 2: Masters degree in a related area from an accredited college or university AND associate licensure in the state of Georgia.

Clinician 3: Masters degree in a related area from an accredited college or university AND full clinical licensure in the state of Georgia.