ADMINISTRATIVE
• Assists in insuring agency compliance with WAC’s, RCW’s, and other pertinent laws, regulations, and contracts.
• Assists in developing and implementing policies and procedures as directed by the Program Manager.
• Educates staff regarding the process for mental health service referrals and regarding "psycho educational topics (suicide risk assessment, behavior modification, etc.) as directed by the Program Manager.
• Maintains documentation of mental health services, and follow through in patient charts.
CLINICAL DUTIES
• Provides diagnostic assessments for each patient during the program. Documents outcomes, justifies diagnoses, and communicates with the primary Chemical Dependency Counselor regarding outcomes and recommendations.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span.
• Able to identify and categorize each patient’s age-specific grouping of needs, such as those for infant, adolescent, or geriatric patients.
• Refers patients to psychiatric services as appropriate. Gathers record materials and background information as needed by the community mental health center (See Policies and Procedures). Attends session with the psychiatric service provider to insure accuracy of presentation and that identified needs are addressed. Provides monitoring regarding the effects of medications, and feedback to the psychiatrist regarding effects/side effects.
• Provides consultation to Sea Mar staff regarding mental health and behavioral issues; and develops treatment plans with staff to address emotional needs and behavioral problems identified for patients.
• Provides individual counseling, in coordination with other system as needed.
• Provides suicide risk assessment and develop treatment plans to address suicidal ideation or gestures. Uses case management as needed to provide follow through and build community support as follow through. Provides other crisis stabilization as needed.
• Gathers information regarding past mental health services to be used in the individual’s treatment plan development. Provides mental health services referrals to patients prior to or following admission, and exchanges information with outside service providers.
• Supports other staff regarding mental health needs of staff or patients. Maintains confidentiality, prevent splitting between staff and patients, and offer concrete ideas on handling challenging situations.