ED Program Therapist, Residential

2 weeks ago

Fairfield, CT, United States Discovery Behavioral Health Full time
Center for Discovery

At Discovery, we offer career opportunities nationwide in residential, day treatment, and intensive outpatient eating disorder treatment. Discovery is currently seeking Program Directors, Primary Therapists, Facility Managers, Counselors/Mental Health Specialists, Dietitians, Diet Techs, and Nurses. Discovery is specifically seeking individuals who consistently strive to provide exemplary care and are passionate about transforming the lives of others.

If you are interested in a challenging and rewarding career in the behavioral health field, the first step is to look for Open job positions that match your skills, qualifications and interest. Each posting includes a description and minimum required qualifications.

When we review candidate information, we are looking for the best matches for the position based on the qualifications listed in the job posting. If your skills and experience appear to match an open position, a recruitment services professional or hiring manager may contact you to further discuss your qualifications.

Position Summary:

The Program Therapist works in a dynamic multidisciplinary team providing treatment services according to the Center for Discovery Clinical Model. Therapist responsibilities include ensuring patient safety, providing milieu interventions, leading psychoeducational and process-oriented therapy groups, facilitate clinical assessments, conduct therapy sessions, and other case management tasks, as assigned.

Essential Job Functions:

  • Ensures clinical documentation is completed timely throughout the course of treatment.
  • Establish therapeutic rapport with patients and families/loved ones.
  • Facilitates admission assessments and the admission process for new patients with professionalism, courtesy, and a welcoming attitude.
  • Understands role in providing expeditious access to care for individuals seeking services.
  • Participates in weekly treatment team and communicates weekly treatment goals with all team members.
  • Completes appropriate number of therapy sessions weekly for patients, including family/support system sessions aligned with the patients' level of care.
    • RTC: two individual sessions and one family/support system session
    • PHP: one individual session and one family/support system session
    • IOP: one therapeutic session - individual or family/support system, as clinically indicated
  • Facilitates process orientated and psychoeducation groups one to two times, daily.
  • Required to sit at a meal and/or snack a minimum of once per week.
  • Facilitates multi-family groups, family program, and/or family weekend.
  • Provides utilization reviews to insurance companies, providing appropriate clinical information to obtain initial authorization and continuing stay authorization, as necessary.
  • Is appropriately accessible to family members or loved ones.
  • Assesses patients for suicidality and possibility of danger to self or others.
  • May provide additional clinical support for other members of the clinical team in their absence.
  • Communicates with the Utilization Review Department and Business Department regarding authorization and payment.
  • Begins discharge planning on day of admission for all patients.
  • Completes discharge session with patient to ensure coping skills, transition plan, and resources are understood and intact.
  • Ensures discharge appointments are confirmed with patient and loved ones prior to discharge.
  • Communicates with referral sources and outpatient providers for continuity of care upon admission, midpoint, and discharge.
  • Facilitates patient transfers to higher level of care, as needed.
  • Actively participates in clinical outreach and program tours, as needed.
  • Effectively manages crises in sessions and the milieu.
  • Provides support to milieu staff in their interactions with patients and their loved ones.
  • Works collaboratively with the entire treatment team and milieu staff to ensure the highest level of clinical quality at all times.
  • Completes other tasks, as requested or assigned.
  • RTC Only: Provides on-call support to facility at least 1x per month and returns all program phone calls within 20 minutes, while on call. Communicates appropriately with On Call Administrator or Regional Director regarding pertinent facility issues, while on call.
Core Competencies:
  • Ability to run groups effectively AEB providing a check-in, engaging all members, and providing structure to group format.
  • Able to show effective writing and communication skills AEB documentation review, email timeliness, and verbal communication with staff and patients, add timeliness with documentation Ability to support in meal prep and meal support AEB accurate portioning, following proper kitchen safety & sanitation guidelines, engaging patients during meal, and able to provide redirection as needed.
  • Ability to develop individualized treatment plans based on patient's assessed needs, and according to policy AEB completing treatment plan inclusive of identified problems, goals, use of outcome measures, and needs stated by the patient.
  • Ability to use clinical judgment to determine risk levels, document and respond accordingly AEB accurate and timely completion of the assessment and safety plan, if needed.
  • Ability to build therapeutic alliance, rapport with patients and families AEB setting up scheduled sessions, documentation of sessions, and record of external contact.
Knowledge, Education, and Experience:
  • Master's or Doctorate degree in relevant field, required
  • Holds active state license
  • Two years of experience working in the mental health field, preferred
  • One year of experience working with eating disorders, preferred
  • Obtain CPI certification within 90 days of hire
  • Obtain CPR, AED, and First Aid certification within 90 days of hire
  • Obtain ServSafe certification within 90 day of hire
  • Must possess a current driver's license and be in good standing
Physical Demands:

The physical demands outlined here represent those that are typically required of an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to do the following:
  • Engages in sustained power grasping and pushing/pulling motions
  • Exposure to dust, gas, odors, liquids, or fumes
  • Intermittent lifting and carrying up to 40 pounds, transporting object usually by hand, arm, or shoulder
  • Hand/eyecoordination: Performing work using both
  • Working with hands: Seizing, holding, and grasping
  • Able to lift by raising or lowering an object from one level to another
  • The ability to respond quickly to emergency situations, which may involve running or moving rapidly.
  • Frequent standing and walkingfor extended periods, often throughout the entire shift.
  • Potential exposure to infectious diseases, bloodborne pathogens, and hazardous materials, requiring adherence to safety and PPE protocols.


Arbitration Agreement:

As a condition of employment, all candidates must agree to and sign a pre-employment arbitration agreement. This agreement requires that any disputes arising out of or related to employment with Discovery Practice Management will be resolved through binding arbitration rather than through litigation in court.

Discovery Behavioral Health seeks to build a diverse staff that is reflective of the patients we serve and the communities where we work. DBH encourages multiple perspectives, experiences, and strives to hire and retain a diverse workforce.

We are proud to be an EEO employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

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