Interested candidates MUST apply through the Polk County (WI) website to be considered for this position at www.co.polk.wi.us and click on Employment. Thank you!

We anticipate hiring two Behavioral Health Therapists out of this recruitment. 

Summary:   The purpose of this position is to assess and provide therapeutic services to children and adolescents, and adults with identified behavioral health diagnoses. This position provides direct clinical outpatient evaluation and treatment services to individuals, families and groups residing in Polk County.   This position is responsible for the provision of psychotherapeutic services to clients seeking mental health and/or substance use services or participating in the agency Emergency Services Program. The behavioral health therapist will provide clinical consultation as requested and participate in program planning and development within the Behavioral Health Department.  Services are provided with client and family-centered approaches and are delivered through time-limited, goal specific interventions.  This position also functions in collaboration with other county departments and outside agencies and service providers.

Essential Duties:  These duties represent the typical duties and responsibilities assigned to this position but may not be inclusive of all tasks performed.

• Provides assessment of mental health and/or substance treatment needs for persons requesting services; conducts clinical screening interviews; conducts intake assessments.
• Evaluates, diagnoses and treats a variety of mental health and/or substance use concerns using appropriate evidence based therapeutic techniques and approaches; conducts therapy sessions.
• Provides individual, couples, family and group counseling.
• In collaboration with the client(s), develops and implements a treatment plan using SMART goals.
• Participates in clinical collaboration, case consultation and completes case reviews in a timely manner. 
• Participates in meetings of the Behavioral Health Department and in required meetings of the Community Services Division. 
• Documents clinical activity according to the policies of the department and in compliance with Wisconsin Administrative Code;
• Maintains complete and accurate case records; prepares reports, correspondence as required.
• Completes Medicaid and insurance forms and authorizations when indicated in a timely manner.
• Participates in program planning and development for the unit.
• Participates as a member of multi-disciplinary teams; provides clinical judgments as appropriate.
• Provides consultation to other departments within Community Services and external agencies as needed.
• Attends appropriate continuing education conferences.
• Maintains a current knowledge of evidence based clinical practice. 
• Participates in the provision of emergency services.
• Maintains a professional relationship with staff, peers, and other county stakeholders.
• Adheres to the policies, procedures, and work rules of the County and the Community Services Division.

Marginal Duties and Responsibilities:   Other duties as assigned including, but not limited to:

• Participate in multi-departmental planning or quality improvement projects.
• Responsible for knowledge of agency programs to answer general program questions, ascertain the appropriate contact within the agency or refer to an outside source in an efficient manner.

Supervisory Responsibilities:  None

Qualifications:   To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Education/Experience:    

1. Minimum requirements for the position include a master’s degree in Social Work, Marriage and Family, Guidance and Counseling, or a related field.  
2. Must have three thousand (3,000) hours of supervised clinical experience and must be able to be certified for reimbursement under the Medicaid program and other third party payors for therapeutic services.            
   1. Must possess a working knowledge of individual, couples, family and group psychotherapy.  
   2. Must have experience working with individuals in a community-based setting.
   3. Must have the ability to provide evidence based clinical assessments and treatment to a wide range of mental health diagnoses and ages including children and adolescents

Certificates/Licenses/Registrations:   

• Must be certified Licensed or certifiable under Wisconsin statutes as a LCSW, LMFT, CSAC or LPC.   
  1. Preference offered to LCSW.
• Valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle that is legally insured to be used for off-site clinical services consultation or case management.

Competency Requirements: 

• Integrity/Honesty - Contributes to maintaining the integrity of the organization; displays high standards of ethical conduct and understands the impact of violating these standards on an organization, self, and others; is trustworthy.
• Quality Customer Service and Community Relations - Anticipates and strives to meet the needs of both internal and external stakeholders (employees, contracted staff, residents, families, and other internal and external clientele).  Delivers high-quality services; is committed to continuous improvement.  Interacts with members of the public and key stakeholders in a manner that elicits positive response and participation.  Presents information and /or represents the facility’s best interests.
• Accountability - Assumes responsibility for successfully accomplishing work objectives and delivering results; sets high standards of performance for self and others.
• Self-Management - Assumes responsibility for successfully accomplishing work objectives and delivering results; organizes and plans for task accomplishment in a manner that maximizes efficient performance; considers a multitude of diverse factors, their interrelationships, the 
• perspectives of others, alternative course of action and their likely ramifications while establishing priorities to ensure timely completions of assigned work and fulfillment of responsibilities.
• Communications – Delivers clear, effective communication and takes responsibility that others understand; uses correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling; produces both verbal and written information that is appropriate for the intended audience
• Interpersonal Relations – Develops and maintains effective relationships with others; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and in different situations; shows understanding, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness; maintains a professional and courteous attitude with staff, clients, and the community with special regard to Department confidentiality policies.
• Judgment and Decision Making – Accurately assesses situations, seeks new information if necessary, and applies all available information to reach sound conclusions or to formulate effective responses.   Requires little guidance for responding to a wide range of complex situations with far-reaching and/or enduring consequences
• Data Gathering and Analysis - Seeks or collects and synthesizes information from a variety of stakeholders and sources in an objective, unbiased manner to reach a conclusion, goal or judgment
• Leveraging Technology - Demonstrates proficiency in using on-line tools and business applications, creating and maintaining accurate data and communications, including, but not limited to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and specialized and/or related departmental information systems

• Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell.  The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception.  

  Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  While performing this position, employee will be exposed to typical Wisconsin weather conditions, as well as conditions that would be found in client residences.  May occasionally be exposed to escalated situations involving individual clients or multiple individuals, situations may become volatile or require law enforcement intervention.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.