Case Therapist II-Full Time

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

Location: Wheaton, IL

Full time, 40 hours/week

Required: Minimum of two years of experience working in clinical treatment setting in substance abuse and/or mental health setting.

The Case Therapist II SL reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

• Assessment Specialist duties are to perform initial assessments for all clients seeking admission to any level of care provided by Behavioral Health Services including adolescent, adult, addiction, mental health, and dual disorders. Clinically supervised by a manager, the position relates especially to patients, family members, referral sources, physicians, insurance/utilization review staff, and BHS program staff. May provide phone screenings and a knowledge of community resources for behavioral health.

Responsibilities:

• Uses organizational and unit/department resources efficiently.
• Manages work schedule efficiently, completing tasks and assignments on time.
• Contributes to opportunities and processes for continuous improvement.
• Participates in efforts to reduce costs, streamline work processes, improve and grow services we provide
• Maintains knowledge of medical record software and the phone system related to Inquiry calls.
• Responds as the primary receiver for Inquiry Calls and maintains expertise in the current Inquiry Call System technology.
• Monitors the Evaluation Appointment Schedule for adequate appointment times; report to supervisor when waiting time for appointments is beyond our standard.
• Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
• Complies with safety and security policies
• Plans patient admission to the appropriate level of care in collaboration with the physician, utilization review staff and business office.
• Coordinates, communicates, and facilitates interaction between BHS and other providers of care and employers or other referral sources.
• Communicates with the managed care companies to be able to secure precertification approval for the appropriate level of care for all clients seen by them personally and facilitate the work of other staff with managed care issues.
• Carries out a thorough clinical assessment for clients with Chemical Dependency and or Mental Health issues.
• Utilizes input from family or significant others as well as referral agents, physicians and therapists, in determining the appropriate level of care for the patient.
• Assesses patients for individual, marital and family problems and makes appropriate referrals.
• Utilizes supervisor feedback regarding performance and keeps scheduled supervisor sessions.
• Maintains adequate knowledge of other therapeutic resources and interventions to assist patients and or family to find appropriate services in the local community.
• Demonstrates a mastery of the ASAM Criteria and BHS program criteria for patient placement.
• Demonstrates baseline knowledge and understanding of pharmacological and street drugs as they may either negatively or therapeutically impact patient.
• Completes thorough evaluation/assessment including assigning level of care if the patient is appropriate for our services, completing precertification with manage care entities and notification of coordinator of the particular program and the Utilization Review function.
• Maintains patient records according to standards of BHS, The Joint Commission, Illinois Department of Alcoholism and Substance abuse DASA), Mental Health Code, American Society of Addiction Medicine, and other professional and regulatory agencies as appropriate.
• Participates in staff and treatment team meetings and in service education opportunities. Attends at least 50% staff meetings annually.
• Attends BHS staff/unit meetings and educational in services to receive and give input to elevate the quality of care.
• Is responsible for maintaining a good attendance record and arriving punctually. Observes and respects patient confidentially. Adheres to the professional code of ethics acting as both a role model and patient advocate.
• Participates in assigned duties as called upon and demonstrates ability to perform (cross training) in areas as needed by Cadence Health System
• Works at maintaining a good rapport and a cooperative working relationship with physicians, departments, and staff
• Performs other duties as assigned

Required:

• Minimum two years of experience working in clinical treatment setting in substance abuse and/or mental health setting.
• Must be computer comfortable
• Master’s degree in behavioral health field and license eligible.
• 2 years of experience in intensive treatment setting with individual and group counseling in substance abuse setting and/or mental health setting.
• Customer Service skills. Experience with motivational interviewing style.
• Must be license eligible at time of hire with timeframe determined by manager to secure license in behavioral health field, which may include licensed social worker, professional counselor, psychologist, marriage and family therapist.

Preferred:

• Certification in addictions preferred.
• 2-5 years of experience working in clinical treatment setting in substance abuse and/or mental health setting.
• Prefer Licensed LCPC, LCSW, PsyD, LMFT or other license in behavioral health.
• CERT CADC, LIC CPC, LIC LCSW, LIC, LPC, LIC LSW, LIC MSW
• 2-5 years; some program treatment
• Certification in addictions preferred. 

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Background Check

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check.  Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. 

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.

Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position): Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.