Integrated Mental Health Therapist II

Sea Mar Community Health Centers, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) founded in 1978, is a community-based organization committed to providing quality, comprehensive health, human, housing, educational and cultural services to diverse communities, specializing in service to Latinos in Washington State. Sea Mar proudly serves all persons without regard to race, ethnicity, immigration status, gender, or sexual orientation, and regardless of ability to pay for services. Sea Mar's network of services includes more than 90 medical, dental, and behavioral health clinics and a wide variety of nutritional, social, and educational services. We are recruiting for the following position: Sea Mar is a mandatory COVID-19 and flu vaccine organization Job Title Integrated Mental Health Therapist II Position Summary The Integrated Mental Health Therapist II (IMHT II) works within a medical setting to provide diagnostic assessments, referrals for psychiatric services, and case management, in coordination with other teams or parties involved in treatment. The IMHT II functions as a core member of the Clinical Care Team. They have an understanding of chronic conditions that can include substance use disorders and behavioral health concerns that contribute to a patient’s inability to adequately address their medical needs, and an understanding of chronic medical conditions that can, in turn, lead to depression and other mental health concerns. The IMHT II provides brief, strength based, and solution-focused services to adults, children, and families, and will assist with emotional and behavioral stabilization, including but not limited to suicide prevention, de-escalation of patients and/or referral for crisis services when needed. The IMHT II also provides motivational-based wellness coaching, works with patients to create self-management goals, and helps patients increase their level of motivation to meet goals. The IMHT II educates staff on the process for mental health service referrals and on psycho educational topics (suicide risk assessment, behavior modification, etc.) as directed by BH protocols. The IMHT II maintains documentation of mental health services, and follow through in patient charts with strong emphasis on communication with the care team located in the medical clinic. Duties and Responsibilities As a mission-driven organization, the core values of, and the services offered at Sea Mar are based on the belief that everyone deserves to be respectfully treated in a way that preserves dignity and enhances self-worth. Sea Mar is an advocate for its patients, and aims to achieve industry-leading, patient- centered, culturally-aware services. Sea Mar employees serve as an extension of this mission and demonstrate their commitment to an excellent patient experience by: • Understanding and empathizing with patient needs • Surpassing patient expectations • Demonstrating a high level of integrity and work ethics • Exhibiting compassion and commitment • Advocating for social justice • Taking pride in individual work as well as that of the team • Continually learning to stay current with industry standards, best practices and technology • Utilizing AIDET skills at all times As a Sea Mar employee, the individual in this position commits to adherence to these values to their utmost ability and endeavors to strengthen and embody this mission daily. The duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to, the following: • Actively participate in the interdisciplinary team huddles and work to identify patients' social and behavioral health needs. Huddles may be virtual and/or in-person as time and number of care teams allow. • Identify patients’ needs and work with patients to create self-management goals utilizing Motivational Interviewing skills. • Develop treatment plans with patients, in consultation with other staff, to address identified emotional needs and behavioral problems. • Work with patients to create self-management goals utilizing Motivational Interviewing skills. Create self-management goals for no less than 90% of all patients within the first two visits. • Gather information regarding past mental health services to be used in the individual’s treatment plan development. • Conduct follow up visits in-person or by telephone to determine progress of self-management goals. • Refer patients to psychiatric services as appropriate. Gather records and background information as needed by the community mental health center (See Policies and Procedures). • Attend sessions with psychiatric service providers to insure accuracy of presentation and that identified needs are addressed. Provide monitoring regarding the effects of medications, and feedback to the psychiatrist regarding effects/side effects. • Provide brief individual counseling, in coordination with other systems, as needed. • Provide suicide risk assessment and develop treatment plans to address suicidal ideation or gestures. Use case management, as needed, and build community support to provide follow through. Provide other crisis stabilization as needed. • Provide mental health service referrals to patients prior to or following admission, and exchange information with outside service providers. • Ensure that quality and performance requirements based on grants, contracts, and organizational priorities are met. i.e. Clinical Quality Measures, Patient Satisfaction Measures, and Meaningful Use Measures. • Conduct required assessment screenings and follow up interventions as per protocol. Perform additional screenings such as AUDIT/DAST for substance and alcohol use/abuse when indicated to identify care needs. • Monitor patient for medication adherence and relay findings to the medical provider and/or specialists of other disciplines involved in patient care. Encourage the patient to discuss issues regarding medication adherence with their provider at their next visit. • Participate in week