Psychologist

he Master or Doctoral Level Licensed BHS Clinician provides clinical services at BHS-Metta including: outpatient therapy/counseling to adult and late adolescent patients, most of whom are foreign-born survivors of political/war trauma and/or torture and have arrived in the U.S. as refugees, asylees, or immigrants.

The BASIC program of Metta Health Center delivers culturally tailored, integrated, trauma-informed, and evidence-based primary care and behavioral health care services; workforce-related, legal, and other supports; and community outreach to promote well-being, self-sufficiency, and community engagement among our eligible Afghan population of combat survivors.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Other duties may be assigned.

• Provide Behavioral Health Services in patient’s native language using co-counseling model in collaboration with bicultural mental health worker, contracted interpreter or telephone interpreter services.
• Provide therapy in the primary areas of PTSD and depression, but may also include anxiety, grief, domestic violence, relationship difficulties, parent-child problems, acculturation issues or serious mental illnesses.
• Complete all clinical documentation in Epic per Health Center standards.
• Ensure clinical documentation meets medical necessity.
• Meet direct care standards as determined by BHS Department.
• Complete mandatory reporting including, as needed, reporting of abuse and/or neglect of children, the elderly or the disabled,
• Initiate referrals for Substance Abuse treatment, coordination of services and on-going case management of complex cases (including working with DCF and the Courts), and crisis intervention in cases of patients with suicidal or homicidal ideation including consultation to medical staff and assisting in sending patient to ED if necessary.
• Collaborate and initiate referrals to BHS-Metta case manager to find resources for patients, offer referrals to outside agencies for treatment and/or concrete services, facilitate use of outside services, assist patients to apply for entitlements or benefits.
• Provide consultation to medical providers on mental health issues, as well as collaborating with them in the holistic care of the patient.
• Actively participate in BHS-Metta team meetings, Metta staff meetings, and community meetings as necessary/appropriate.

 Knowledge and experience:

 Master’s or Doctoral Degree and relevant mental health license required with at least three years post Master’s experience in a mental health setting. Candidate needs to demonstrate an ability to work with non-English speaking patients through collaboration with an interpreter including ability to appreciate and work with cultural differences. Candidate must possess skill in working with multi-problem clients with mental health & substance abuse issues, particularly those with trauma histories. Prior experience of working with refugees, and in a medical setting is helpful, but not required. Knowledge of entitlement and benefit programs for low income people.  Knowledge of State laws in relation to filing of mandated reports. Ability to work in a fast paced atmosphere with challenging clients.  Demonstrate good organizational and collaborative skills.

Judgment and Independent Action:

 The clinician is responsible for performing an initial assessment of the patient and follow-up action and/or on-going counseling. Evaluates needs and plans interventions accordingly.  Performs clinical work independently and also in collaboration with interdisciplinary treatment team.  Evaluates emergency situations and acts appropriately to intervene in accordance with legal requirements and Code of Ethics. Requires emotional maturity, critical thinking skills and initiative.

Accountability:

 Maintains accountability for her/his practice in accordance with the mission of the Health center, professional ethics and licensure requirements, including maintaining patient confidentiality as appropriate.  Participates in the annual performance evaluation by the supervisor. Participates in monthly clinical supervision, when necessary, with assigned Licensed Clinician and consults with him/her as necessary at other times.

Interrelationships

 Works as a team member in the Clinic and actively communicates with other Health Center providers and staff as well as outside agencies.  Initiates interdisciplinary discussions as necessary to improve patient care and resolve patient issues.

Professional Behavior and Development:

 Attends continuing education workshops/conferences to obtain required number of CEUs for licensure as required. Remains flexible in meeting the changing needs and expectations of the clinic and/or department.  Actively participates in staff and committee meetings as required.  Availability for some evening hours required.

 MANUAL AND VISUAL SKILLS

 Ability to write assessments and chart notes manually and with computer.

Ability to access patient information and input all clinical documentation in the EMR. Ability to interact fact-to-face with clients including ability to carry on verbal conversation and visually assess aspects of current mental status (facial expression, psychomotor presentation, appearance, etc).

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

 Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.  The noise level in the environment is usually low to moderate.

PHYSICAL EFFORT

 While performing the duties of this job, the employee’s physical effort may require the ability to stand, walk, use hands – especially for use of computer/EMR, sit for long periods, talk and hear.

OCCUPATIONAL RISKS

 The duties of the job may subject the employee to potential exposure to occupational risks such as contagious disease.  Universal precautions and techniques are included in orientation and the availability of protective wear is supported and encouraged when the employee is at risk for exposure.

SCOPE OF VISION

 The licensed clinician may be asked to supervise an intern or other member of the BHS clinical staff.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

 Current license as an LICSW - Licensed  Independent Clinical Social Worker, LMHC – Licensed Mental Health Counselor, or Clinical Psychologist required. Current CPR Certificate