Independence Health System·Latrobe, Pennsylvania
The Behavioral Health Therapist completes patient assessments, develops psychosocial histories, and provides crisis intervention services. They collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to facilitate discharge planning and ensure effective patient care.
Essential Job Functions
Completes patient assessments.
Interviews patients/families/significant others at time of initial presentation to complete psychosocial history and assessment.
Documents clinical activities within established time frames according to department, hospital and regulatory agency standards.
Assists the Department's compliance with state, JCAHO and other regulatory agencies.
Communicates effectively with patients/peers/families/treatment team.
Returns patient/family phone calls and documents.
Uses computer as required for E-mail, scheduling, authorizations, insurance tracking, etc.
Provides and participates in Educational Activities.
Provides and documents patient/family education.
Processes psychiatric emergencies
Assesses the severity of patient's condition.
Collaborates with psychiatrist to affect a crisis resolution.
Processes commitments.
Obtains authorization/reauthorization/certifications as appropriate for psychiatric treatment.
Refers patients to appropriate treatment facilities.
Demonstrates a working knowledge of the Mental Health Procedures Act.
Attends treatment team meetings.
Functions as an interdisciplinary team member to actively identify and resolve patient needs.
Facilitates discharge planning
Utilizes skilled therapeutic modalities.
Obtains authorizations/reauthorizations for treatment.
Provides peer/treatment team consultation when asked.
Serves as liaison between physician and families and agencies/services.
Understands and utilizes the Principles of Recovery as they apply to crisis/emergent episodes of care.
Recognizes that recovery is a person-centered/person-driven process.
Recognizes that self-determination and/or self-direction are the foundation of person centered care.
Supports the empowerment of all individuals to make informed decisions regarding their care.
Exhibits a strength-based approach to crisis intervention.
Exhibits respectful, culturally sensitive behavior and attitude toward all guests and their families.
Works collaboratively with Peer Support Specialists and other center staff to insure the maintenance of a comfortable, safe, welcoming environment and positive guest experience
Other duties as assigned.
Competency and Experience [Knowledge, Skills and Abilities]
Required Qualifications/Experience
Master’s Degree or higher in Social Work, Psychology, Rehabilitation, Activity Therapies, Counseling, Education or related fields
Three (3) or more years of experience in mental health direct care
Knowledge of Payor/Insurance Benefits
Functional Skills on PC and Related Software (Microsoft Office)
Knowledge of basic Office Equipment such as copier, fax machine, etc.
Creativity in treatment in various settings including inpatient, skilled nursing and outpatient clinics
Ability to transition smoothly between various treatment settings.
Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.
Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.
Preferred Qualifications/Experience
Previous experience working in a managed care environment.
Two (2) or more years prior experience in provision of individual and group psychotherapy in a clinical setting.
Experience in Healthcare setting.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
Incumbent will be scheduled based on operational need (rotate shifts, standby, on-call, etc.).
Travel may be expected locally between System locations.
Independence Health and its affiliated companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. It is their policy to prohibit discrimination of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other classification protected by law. Independence Health and its affiliated companies will comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Moreover, duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
Effective March 2020 or during pandemic: goggles, face shield and mask are required according to CDC guidelines
When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.
Essential – Absolute Necessity.
Marginal – Minimal Necessity.
Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift.
Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift.
Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift.
Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.
Extreme Heat: x
Extreme Cold: x
Heights: x
Confined Spaces: x
Extreme Noise(>85dB)
x
Mechanical Hazards: x
Use of Vibrating Tools
x
Operates Vehicle (company)
x
Operates Heavy Equipment: x
Use of Lifting/Transfer Devices
x
Rotates All Shifts: x
8 Hours Shifts
x
10-12 Hours Shifts
x
On-Call: x
Overtime(+8/hrs/shift; 40/hr/wk)
x
Travel Between Sites: x
Direct Patient Care: x
Respirator Protective Equipment: x
Eye Protection: x
Head Protection (hard hat)
x
Hearing Protection: x
Hand Protection: x
Feet, Toe Protection
x
Body Protection: x
Latex Exposure: x
Solvent Exposure: x
Paint (direct use) Exposure
x
Dust (sanding) Exposure
x
Ethylene Oxide Exposure: x
Cytotoxic (Chemo) Exposure
x
Blood/Body Fluid Exposure: x
Chemicals (direct use) Exposure
x
Mist Exposure: x
Wax Stripper (direct use)
x
Non-Ionizing Radiation Exposure: x
Ionizing Radiation Exposure: x
Laser Exposure: x
When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.
Essential – Absolute Necessity.
Marginal – Minimal Necessity.
Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift.
Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift.
Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift.
Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.
Never: Bending (Stooping)
x
Sitting: x
Walking: x
Climbing Stairs: x
Climbing Ladders: x
Standing: x
Kneeling: x
Squatting (Crouching)
x
Twisting/Turning: x
Keyboard/Computer Operation: x
Gross Grasp: x
Fine Finger Manipulation: x
Hand/Arm Coordination: x
Pushing/Pulling(lbs. of force)
x
Carry: x
Transfer/Push/Pull Patients: x
Seeing Near w/Acuity
x
Feeling (Sensation)
x
Color Vision: x
Hearing Clearly: x
Pulling/Pushing Objects Overhead: x
Reaching Above Shoulder Level: x
Reaching Forward: x
Lifting Floor to Knuckle
10
x
Lifting Seat Pan to Knuckle: 10
x
Lifting Knuckle to Shoulder
10
x
Lifting Shoulder to Overhead
0
x
When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.
Candidates must hold a Master's degree in a relevant field such as Social Work or Psychology and possess at least three years of direct mental health care experience. Current Basic Life Support certification and specific state clearances are required.
Market context
Behavioral health employers in Pennsylvania often seek candidates with direct patient care experience, and roles can be more competitive when applicants also bring phlebotomy certification or experience in crisis, detox, or acute psychiatric settings. This posting requires a high school diploma or GED plus at least one year of patient care experience, and the listed requirements and benefits are AI-summarized from the original job description to save you research time. If you’re considering applying, review whether your experience matches the setting and be ready to highlight any behavioral-health or phlebotomy background.