Behavioral Health Therapist

Behavioral Health Therapist- Sign-on bonus of $1,000 +

The Behavioral Health Therapist is part of a multi-disciplinary team, which provides a comprehensive care program for clients receiving behavioral health services at Southwest Center (SWC). The SWC Behavioral Health program is designed to empower clients to develop healthy choices and continue to live well irrespective of a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or HIV status. The Behavioral Health Program serves all people with general behavioral health outpatient services while also offering a special focus on outpatient treatment for members of the LGBTQ+ community as well as for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).

As a Behavioral Health Therapist, under the direction of the Director of Mental and Social Wellness, you will be responsible for addressing the behavioral health needs of SWC clients, specifically using psychotherapy for the purpose of assessment, diagnosis and treatment of individuals, couples, families, and groups. You will provide psychotherapy to clients and/or refer the clients to other appropriate human services within the agency or the greater Phoenix area. You may also provide assistance and learning opportunities for colleagues.

The Behavioral Health Therapist supports the Southwest Center mission of providing affirming and inclusive services to promote well-being and advance health equity for diverse communities and all those seeking compassionate care - especially people of color, LGBTQIA2S+ and Queer individuals, and those affected by HIV.

What your day will look like at Southwest Center:

• You will provide comprehensive psychotherapy services for SWC clients, including initial assessment and ongoing psychotherapy.
• You will create treatment plans, defining and prioritizing the areas to be addressed, working with the client to develop short- and long-term goals and the strategies for achieving them within a given time frame. Review all treatment plans with the Clinical Director for each client.
• You will provide individual, family, and group psychotherapy to facilitate the changes the client desires or needs.
• You will provide crisis intervention as needed.
• You may consult and collaborate with other professionals both within and outside the agency to facilitate client treatment.
• You will provide educational opportunities to behavioral health staff and assist the needs of the Director of Mental and Social Wellness.
• You will maintain mental health reports and records in a timely manner. This includes providing statistics and documentation required to maintain administrative records.
• You may participate in outreach into the community to identify prospective clients and/or community needs and facilitate the satisfaction of those needs. You may also provide educational presentations, as needed, within the agency and throughout the community.
• You would participate in supervision with the Clinical Director or designated clinical supervisor as required by the Office of Behavioral Health Licensure, Board of Behavioral Health Examiners, and SWC policies and procedures.
• You will promote positive client relations in accordance with SWC policies and procedures. You may also serve as an advocate for clients concerning their mental health needs.
• You will meet weekly with Director of Mental and Social Wellness.
• You may perform other administrative duties as assigned.

We've got great benefits:

• 200 hours of PTO per year
• Up to 13 paid holidays per year
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Basic life, short-term, and long-term disability insurance paid by Southwest Center
• YMCA Gym and Programs Discount
• Retirement savings

Who we're looking for:

• You have earned a graduate degree in behavioral health related field (e.g., Counseling, Social Work, Substance Abuse, or Psychology) with at least one year of clinical experience or case management experience.
• You have extensive knowledge of mental health and community resources.
• You have full understanding of HIPAA and protecting client confidentiality.
• You are proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) software applications and competent in using electronic medical records (EMRs) and information systems in providing effective documentation of client care.
• You have excellent written and verbal communication.
• You possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and have access to transportation at all times for work related duties.
• You are professional, diplomatic, focused, and non-judgmental in difficult situations.
• You are a highly organized self-starter with excellent problem-solving skills and ability to multi-task effectively and perform in a high stress and fast paced environment.
• You have the ability to work in fast paced environment with changing deadlines and priorities while maintaining a positive attitude.
• You've demonstrated cultural competency to professionally and respectfully serve the LGBTQIAS+ communities required.
• All agency employees must be able to work effectively in a mission-driven agency whose clients and staff exhibit significant diversity with respect to race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, nationality, and religion.

We'd love to see you apply if you have these preferred qualifications too:

• You actively hold a license from the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners (i.e. Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW), Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC), Licensed Associate Marriage and Family (LAMFT) or Licensed Associate Substance Abuse Counselor (LASAC)).
• You have personal or professional experience regarding members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, and Intersexed communities.
• You have personal or professional experience regarding people living with HIV/AIDS.
• You are bilingual (Spanish/English).

Environmental Factors, Physical Requirements, and Compliance

• Work primarily in a climate-controlled environment with minimal safety/health hazard potential.
• Office environment, exposure to computer screens for lengthy periods of time.
• The position requires extensive use of clinical documentation by typing notes using a standard computer keyboard. The electronic medical record may not support use of spell-check or transcription devices, which should not be expected for completion of documentation.
• This position may require evening and occasional weekend work.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, sit, stand; use hands, talk, and hear. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus.
• This position may require the employee to occasionally climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, bend or crawl.
• This position must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move more than 10 pounds and assist clients.
• Currently have, or be able to obtain within 90 days of employment, a valid Fingerprint Clearance Card.
• Currently have, or are able to obtain within 7 days of employment, a clear TB test.
• Currently have, or are able to obtain within 7 days of employment, a current flu vaccination.
• Currently have, or are able to initiate within 7 days of employment, a Hepatitis-B primary vaccination series.
• Currently have, or are able to obtain within 14 days of employment, a CPR certification.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Southwest Center is an equal opportunity employer and we value a healthy work environment free from harassment and discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or genetic information.

The Southwest Center provides an inclusive and respectful working environment that represents a wide range of backgrounds, cultures, identities, and experiences. We attract applicants who have the cultural awareness to navigate and celebrate these differences. Our employees are Individuals who have respect for the communities where they live and work and are committed to utilizing culturally and linguistically appropriate strategies and skills in a collaborative environment.

We welcome all applicants with personal, direct and/or indirect knowledge of the lives and experience with but not limited to: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC); LGBTQIA2S+/Queer individuals; those affected by HIV, people living with disabilities; people with diverse religious beliefs, and other marginalized Individuals that are at the intersections of those identities/experiences. We also encourage those from historically underrepresented backgrounds to apply.

Reasonable Accommodations

Applicants requesting a reasonable accommodation to apply or participate in the interview process for this position should email hr@swcenter.org.