Child and Family Therapist

Sea Mar Community Health Centers, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) founded in 1978, is a community-based organization committed to providing quality, comprehensive health, human, housing, educational and cultural services to diverse communities, specializing in service to Latinos in Washington State. Sea Mar proudly serves all persons without regard to race, ethnicity, immigration status, gender, or sexual orientation, and regardless of ability to pay for services. Sea Mar's network of services includes more than 90 medical, dental, and behavioral health clinics and a wide variety of nutritional, social, and educational services. We are recruiting for the following position:

Sea Mar is a mandatory COVID-19 and flu vaccine organization

Full-time Child and Family Therapist position available at Sea Mar'sBehavioral Health Department in Bellingham, WA. The Child and FamilyTherapist provides individual and/or family therapy, case management,crisis stabilization, treatment planning, and may lead groups. Inaddition, will provide referrals and coordination with medicationproviders, primary physicians and other community partners. Must havethe ability to accurately diagnose mental health issues and developtreatment plans based upon diagnosis. Must be willing to work laterhours (after 5 pm) on some days, and will require work within schoolsin Whatcom County. This position is based 2 days in rural schools. It requires your own transportation and mileage is reimbursed.Clinical supervision hours towards licensure is provided for free.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:ADMINISTRATIVE * Assists in insuring agency compliance with WAC's, RCW's, and otherpertinent laws, regulations, and contracts. * Assists in developing and implementing policies and procedures asdirected by the Program Director. * Educates staff regarding the process for mental health servicereferrals and regarding "psycho educational topics (suicide riskassessment, behavior modification, etc.) as directed by the ProgramManager. * Maintains documentation of mental health services, and followthrough in patient charts.CLINICAL DUTIES * Provide developmentally and culturally appropriate formal andinformal diagnostic assessments for each patient during the program. Document outcomes, justify diagnoses, and communicate with thecollaborative partners regarding outcomes and recommendations.  It issuggested that this individual communicate with the Primary CarePhysicians, Substance Abuse Counselors, schools, case workers, orothers involved in the care of the patient. * Demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide careappropriate to the age of the patients served, specifically childrenand families. * Provide information about assessments and involve family members asactive participants in the assessment process and in treatmentplanning, where appropriate. * Collaborate with other professionals in conducting family-centeredassessments and treatment planning, when appropriate. * Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and developmentover the life span. * Able to identify and categorize each patient's age-specificgrouping of needs, such as those for infant, adolescent, adult orgeriatric patients. * Refer patients to psychiatric and medication management services asappropriate.  Gather record materials and background information asneeded by the community mental health center (See Policies andProcedures).  Actively collaborate with the psychiatric serviceprovider to insure accuracy of presentation and that identified needsare addressed.  Provide monitoring regarding the effects ofmedications, and feedback to the psychiatrist regarding effects/sideeffects. * Provide individual and/or family counseling, in coordination withother system as needed. * Provide suicide risk assessment and develop treatment plans toaddress suicidal ideation or gestures.  Use case management as neededto provide follow through and build community support as followthrough.  Provide other crisis stabilization as needed. * Gather information regarding past mental health services to be usedin the individual's treatment plan development.   Provide mentalhealth services referrals to patients prior to or following admission,and exchange information with outside service providers. * Support other staff regarding mental health needs of staff orpatients.  Maintain confidentiality, prevent splitting between staffand patients, and offer concrete ideas on handling challengingsituations.PRODUCTIVITY STANDARDProduce a minimum of 80 encounters that will equal at least 80 hoursof face-to-face contact.QUALIFICATIONS:To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able toperform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listedbelow are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilityrequired. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individualswith disabilities to perform the essential functions.   * An understanding of the Behavioral Health Organization, County,and/or MCO contracts with the ability to tier clients in a managedcare system. The ability to work effectively with all persons andgroups with an open mind towards cultural differences and knowledge ofcultures. * The ability to accurately diagnose mental health issues and developtreatment plans based upon diagnoses. The ability to NOT diagnosebehavioral problems as mental illnesses unless appropriate. * An understanding of chemical dependency treatment and an ability tocoordinate mental health services with chemical dependency treatmentproviders if necessary. * Must complete an annual clinical competency test as a mental healththerapist. * The Child and Family Clinical Therapist must sign a permanent oathof confidentiality covering all patient related information. * This person must pass a background check.EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:  * A Master's degree from an accredited college or university inpsychology, counseling, or social work, which includes course-work inpsychological diagnostics. * For a licensed therapist, must have a license in Marriage andFamily Therapy (LMFT), Mental Health Counseling (LMHC), or Social Work(LICSW or LASW).  *  License or mental health Associate License (includes Marriage andFamily Therapist, Mental Health Counselor, and Clinical SocialWorker).  * Must possess a Child Mental Health Specialist credential or beworking towards credential. * MUST meet WAC requirements for a Mental Health Professional.  * Computer proficiency with Cerner and MS Office and other Medicalsoftware. * Experience with evidence based models and wrap around servicespreferred. * Experience working with children and families required. * Bilingual Spanish/English highly desirable.Hourly - Hourly Plan, 33.23 USD Hourly

What We Offer:

Sea Mar offers talented and motivated people the opportunity to work in a dynamic and growing community health organization. Working at Sea Mar Community Health Centers is more than just a job, it’s a fulfilling career with opportunity for advancement. The fringe benefits surpass most companies. For example, Full-time employees working 30 hours or more, receive an excellent benefit package of:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Prescription coverage
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• EAP (Employee Assistance Program)
• Paid-time-off starting at 24 days per year + 10 paid Holidays.
• We also offer 401(k)/Retirement options and an exciting opportunity to work in a culturally diverse environment. 

Sea Mar is an equal opportunity employer.

Please visit our website to learn more about us at www.seamar.org. You may also apply thru our Career page at this link.