Position Purpose/Summary
The Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACTT) is designed to serve as a comprehensive treatment team providing for the periodic service needs of consumers with severe and persistent mental illnesses. The majority of services are provided in the consumer’s home/community. This employee will function as a clinical member of the ACT Team, providing needed psychotherapy, rehabilitation, and support services under the supervision of the team leader and/or the team psychiatrist. This employee (along with the entire team) is expected to help consumers avoid re-hospitalization/episodes of crisis care; achieve recovery from mental illness/substance abuse issues; meet basic sustenance needs; and improve their overall quality of life, per consumers’ report. Although all services provided are included in the person-centered-plan and performed under the supervision of the ACTT program manager and psychiatrist, such supervision does not involve immediate oversight of all job functions. Therefore, this employee conducts most of his/her work independently with a high degree of freedom to act based on clinical judgement.
Essential Functions
1. Provide treatment, rehabilitation, and supportive services which include individual and group clinical services. Services include psychotherapy, symptom education, behavioral symptom-management techniques, and crisis intervention; case management/support (e.g., assisting consumers with meeting their needs in the areas of housing, financial supports, physical health, vocational interests, and recreation and socialization); support with activities of daily living (such as skill training and/or assistance in the areas of money management, performance of household activities, meal preparation, and grooming/personal hygiene); and assistance with vocational endeavors (e.g., teaching job-seeking skills or providing job coaching).
2. Conduct a comprehensive, initial assessment of each consumer’s history with a particular focus on social relationships and family history.
3. Provide ongoing assessment of consumers’ symptoms and response to treatment, rehabilitation, and supportive services.
4. Assume primary responsibility for completion and/or oversight of documentation for a defined case load.
5. Document the consumer’s progress and maintain a permanent record of each intervention/activity performed on behalf of the consumer, according to established and approved policies and procedures.
6. Communicate promptly and effectively any changes in a consumer’s status to the rest of the ACT Team.
7. Update service plans as the needs of the consumers change.
8. Complete comprehensive clinical assessments as required for the service.
9. Coordinate services with all ACT team members, housing providers and other providers in the community (e.g., residential staff, Social Security, local housing authorities, and inpatient facilities).
10. Serve as liaison between the consumer/team and family members.
11. Other duties as assigned by supervisor.
Qualifications (Minimum Job Requirements):
Education: Master’s degree in social work/related field or a Bachelor’s degree in a human services field.
Experience: One year of relevant experience for Master’s degree or three years of relevant experience for Bachelor’s degree. Specific experience in the areas of group and individual psychotherapy, occupational therapy, psychosocial rehabilitation, housing, and case management are required. Experience providing Wellness Management Recovery groups as well as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy preferred.
Specific skills/abilities: This position requires flexibility; sensitivity to varying cultural issues; acuity in psychosocial assessment; a demonstrated ability to share information with members of a team in a timely and accurate manner; strong organizational skills; and skills in the area of time management. Must be able to get notes submitted in a timely manner, and have the ability to multi-task in a fast paced environment.
Specialized knowledge, licenses, etc: Must possess an LCSW, LCSWA, LPC,LPCA, LMFT, LAMFT. Knowledge of treatment modalities for persons diagnosed with mental illness. They should be familiar with the characteristic symptoms of severe and persistent mental illnesses (such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder) and have a general knowledge of psychotropic medications (their use and potential side effects). Must also have valid driver’s license and maintain a safe driving record acceptable to the insurance carrier for Lutheran Services Carolinas.
Preferences (Optional): Bilingual (English-Spanish) desired but not required.
Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:
1. Home visits to residences that may be dirty/excessively smoke-filled (cigarettes)
2. Searching for clients in areas known for street drugs, drug use, and related crime.
3. Exposure to extreme behaviors.
4. Ambulatory in all locations, ability to navigate steps.
5. Ability to bend, stoop, and reach overhead.
6. Must be available for on call hours
