Mental Health Professional

POSITION TITLE: Mental Health Professional Non-Exempt Position

RESPONSIBLE TO: Healing Animal Partners Program Director

MAJOR DUTIES: The MHP works under the supervision of the Program Director. This position provides counseling services to agency patients in partnership with therapeutic animals and other treatment team providers. This position provides clinical services to patients. In fulfilling these duties, the incumbent performs the following duties independently:

1. Review Washington Administrative Codes (WACs) and Revised Codes (RCWs) and Federal regulations pertaining to mental health and substance use disorder treatment to ensure compliance with these regulations in all therapeutic services;
2. Work with the patient in the development of an individual services plan that is strength based and meets their unique needs in compliance with WAC 246-341;
3. Provide mental health evaluations, individual therapy, group therapy and case management services to patients assigned to them in accordance with the individual service plan and evaluation recommendations;
4. Work as part of a treatment team;
5. Maintain complete and up to date clinical files that document all services and contacts provided consistent with the requirements of WAC 246-341;
6. Support and implement agency policies and procedures;
7. Represent the Agency in the community at various meetings and clinical reviews with the approval of the supervisor;
8. Support team with barn chores as needed and work collaboratively with equine specialist to assess appropriate horse selection;
9. Prepare activities and debrief treatment team after sessions;
10. Support with training volunteers as needed; and
11. Other duties as assigned.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

1. At least 1 year of experience providing therapeutic services partnered with animals;
2. Hold EAGALA, PATH Intl., or Natural Lifemanship certification;
3. Basic knowledge on horse behavior and horsemanship skills; and
4. Strong understanding of PATH intl. standards of providing counseling services partnered with horses.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

1. A masters degree or further advanced degree in counseling or one of the social sciences from an accredited college or university required;
2. Meet the requirements of a mental health professional as defined in WAC 246-341
3. Have at least 2 years of experience working with adults suffering from co-occurring disorders to qualify as an MHP or have a MSW degree.
4. Familiarity with Washington State regulations related to the provision of mental health services (RCW 71.05) and chemical dependency services (WAC 246-341) required;
5. Current unencumbered driver license and proof of current car insurance
6. Good verbal and written communication skills;
7. Great attendance; and
8. Ability to work well with others in a treatment team.

GUIDELINES

This position requires that the incumbent meet all educational and supervised postgraduate experience requirements for a Mental Health Professional as defined in WAC 246-341;

COMPLEXITY

The incumbent provides individual therapy, group therapy, case management, and diagnostic services to patients who differ widely in age and socioeconomic status and who may possess a variety of chronic and serious social, behavioral and psychological problems. Strong clinical skills, sound judgment, and creativity are required to help implement and deliver treatment services that will meet the complex needs of the clients.

PERSONAL CONTACTS

Contacts are with members of the treatment team, patients, support systems of the consumers, representatives of various community agencies specializing in the treatment of mental health disorders, and related community representatives including hospital personnel, lawyers, probation officers, and other court officials. All personal contacts are carried out in accordance with federal and state laws dealing with the confidentiality of patient records. Coordination of care with other treatment providers is an expectation of this position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the essential functions of the job, the employee is regularly required to stand/walk for up to 60 minutes at a time 4to 5 times per day. The employee will have to reach with arms, stoop, kneel, sit, speak clearly, crouch, lift up to 50 lbs., hear, use hands and fingers to manipulate writing utensils, equine tack, and keys on a keyboard. The employee may be required to effectively operate an automobile on a regular basis.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Working hours are spent outdoor at the ranch where counseling services partnered with horses takes place. Employee may have opportunity to work from home and onsite in offices or meeting rooms at times although the majority of work is done outside at the Ranch. Occasional visits to community agencies and participation in staff retreats and staff development activities may be required.