Clinician: LCSW

Supporting Millbrook and Dover Plains

Agency: Hudson Valley Mental Health is a private, voluntary, not-for-profit community organization. Its mission is to provide comprehensive and integrated services to meet the mental health needs of the community. HVMH operates eight New York State licensed outpatient mental health clinics; five located in Dutchess County and three located in Ulster County.   The clinics provide a full array of therapeutic services to adults, seniors, and families. Services are available to everyone in need, regardless of insurance or income. These services include individual or group therapy, medication, and medication management. HVMH is an equal opportunity employer.   HVMH is an affiliate of Family Services, Inc.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

This is a professional position involving the delivery of counseling and psychotherapy services to clients with social, emotional, and related difficulties.  Responsibilities include but are not limited to intake; diagnostic assessment and evaluation; treatment planning; individual and group therapy; maintenance of case records; community education; coordination of treatment with other agencies and professionals providing ancillary services; and participation in client discharge planning.  Case assignments and administrative supervision are received from the Clinic Director.  Clinical supervision is provided.  Peer assessment and suggestions regarding treatment plans are developed at weekly unit meetings.  Supervision may be exercised over subordinate staff. 

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:

1. Maintain an individual caseload, providing clients with individual and group therapy;
2. Assist with the pre-intake, intake, and screening of new clients into the system, compiling information on clients' psycho-social history;
3. Make differential diagnosis of clients' problems and refer clients to appropriate programs;
4. Formulate treatment plan for individual clients and modify treatment plan on an on-going basis to reflect client's behavior changes as a result of therapy;
5. Maintain case records, documenting all client contacts and meeting deadlines for required paperwork. 
6. Prepare client for the completion of treatment;
7. Refer client to Case Manager and/or Licensed Prescriber for needed services which would not be under jurisdiction of this position;
8. Coordinate clients' treatment with other agencies such as schools, Social Services, Probation Department, etc;
9. Provide preventive care on substance abuse, mental health issues, etc. through information and educational community activities;
10. Develop and implement follow-up studies to determine program effectiveness;
11. Respond to queries from insurance companies, Social Services and other agencies concerning pertinent client information;
12. Provide training on issues related to mental health treatment;
13. Provide advocacy for patients and act as liaison with community resources;
14. Does related work as required.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Thorough knowledge of the principles and theories of modern social casework; thorough knowledge of the factors which contribute to mental, emotional, and social maladjustment and of therapeutic techniques to treat those affected; good knowledge of the terminology of the mental health field; good knowledge of personality development; ability to relate sympathetically to client population; ability to maintain competency and to keep abreast of latest developments in the mental health field; ability to understand the methodology and results of research projects; ability to compile and organize statistical data; ability to organize work; ability to maintain records; ability to develop and maintain collaborative and supportive working relationships with all members of the clinical and clerical staff; inform Clinic Director of relevant clinical and administrative issues; consult appropriately; actively support program goals and system improvements/changes; ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; initiative; resourcefulness; tact; courtesy; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

A Master's degree in social work from a graduate school of social work approved by the New York State Department of Education as a LCSW.