Outpatient Case Therapist-As Needed

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?

IHR (In-House Registry), covering shifts/schedules as needed. Benefits are not offered with this position.

Location: St Charles

Required: Masters degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or related field.

• Must obtain LPC or LSW, LCPC, or LCSW within 12 months of hire.

The Case Therapist I IHR 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.

Responsibilities:

• Demonstrates NM Values (Patients First, Integrity, Teamwork and Excellence) in daily work and interactions.
• Presents a friendly, approachable, professional demeanor and appearance.
• Provides accurate information and timely updates to patients and customers.
• Addresses questions and concerns promptly, or identifies appropriate person and resources to do so.
• Provides directions or help to patients and customers with finding their way.
• Uses effective service recovery skills to solve problems or service breakdowns when they occur.
• Demonstrates teamwork by helping co-workers within and across departments.
• Communicates effectively with others, respects diverse opinions and styles, acknowledges the assistance and contributions of others.
• 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.
• Conducts telephone screenings for information/inquiry calls may be conducted with wireless phones, and appointments may be scheduled in Microsoft Word or scheduling software.
• Must be able to complete these tasks to facilitate patient access to treatment.
• Documents in patient medical record via Microsoft Word or other automated medical records software in an accurate and timely fashion.
• Retrieves patient information in hospital medical records application to improve knowledge of case and facilitate patient moving through continuum of care.
• Facilities individual and group counseling effectively, and provides family counseling as assigned in a fashion that assists the family system in working toward resolution of dysfunction.
• Understands and communicates clearly, concisely, and in a motivational fashion, the information pertaining to self-help groups which, assist patient in making a transition to such groups for on-going support and problem solving.
• Understands DSM diagnosis and through clinical contact with the patient and input from the treatment team develops therapeutic interventions which assist patient with addressing diagnosis.
• Establishes rapport with patient and patient's support system through a variety of techniques that encourage trust, disclosure, and behavioral changes on the part of the patient and family to assist with recovery.
• Utilizes feedback from supervisor and Clinical Director/Medical Director regarding performance, and keeps scheduled supervisory sessions.
• Develops effective discharge planning with input from multidisciplinary team and managed care/utilization review.
• Secures appropriate releases of information and consents for next level of care.
• Knowledgeable about referral sources and available community resources.
• Deals with sudden deaths, trauma and accidents so as to provide support to family members.
• Capable and responsible to assist with referrals for hospital patients in need of guardianship, advocacy, and physical, sexual, and elder abuse/neglect referrals.
• Demonstrates knowledge of crisis intervention theory and focuses on the "here and now".
• Demonstrates an understanding of medical conditions, illnesses and anticipated and present loss of relationships, functioning or life style as a result of medical diagnosis of self or family member.
• Communicates with patient and patient's support system information regarding admission, continued stay, and discharge planning regularly and documents this communication in patient's medical record.
• Communicates with clinical and non-clinical team members information that improves the patient care experience while maintaining confidentiality.
• Coordinates, communicates, and facilitates interaction between BHS and other providers of care, employers, and other referral sources as allowed by patient via written consent.
• Attends rounds, case presentations and staffing as expected per medical unit assignment.
• Offers medical staff information that helps increase the depth of their understanding of family dynamics or psychosocial issues.
• Contributes to the intake process by handling inquiry calls as assigned.
• Documents in medical record according to CDH standards, and regulatory and accrediting agencies including JCAHO and Illinois Department of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse.
• Develops treatment interventions as part of the treatment team to assist the patient in making therapeutic plans to interrupt problems and begin recovery in partnership with the patient and documented in the medical record.
• Completes evaluations/assessments as part of intake when assigned, and using patient placement criteria documents justification for recommended level of care.
• Responds to shifts in work assignments as required by patient's needs and remains on duty when crisis requires management.
• Accepts on call work as assigned and as required by staff shortage. Participates in staff and treatment team meetings and inservice education opportunities to improve team communication and consistency of staff approach.
• As assigned, gives case presentations to staff in a fashion where staff may integrate information as an educational experience, which may include sharing knowledge learned at seminars.
• Demonstrates baseline knowledge of drugs, including street drugs, over the counter, and prescribed medications and how they may therapeutically or negatively impact the patient.
• Actively gives input, either via committee participation or to manager, to elevate the quality of care.
• Shares trends and information from behavioral health field contacts that may help BHS develop programs and improve care.
• Demonstrates ability to cross train to other areas of BHS and seeks professional development opportunities to expand knowledge base.
• Accepts assignments of work to other units within BHS.
• Works at developing and maintaining a good rapport and cooperative working relationship with physicians, departments, and BHS staff.
• Effectively meets departmental expectations regarding patient caseload size, while maintaining departmental expectations for quality of care and patient satisfaction.

Required:

• Experience working with substance abuse and mental health populations.
• Must obtain LPC or LSW, LCPC, or LCSW within 12 months of hire.
• Masters degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or related field.
• Experience and training in assessment, individual, family, and group counseling.
• Must be computer comfortable and/ or proficient as much as medical records are automated. 

Preferred:

• Prefer 2-5 years in intensive treatment setting and /or mental health setting.
• CADC. Preferred 2-5 years.
• Presentation skills including lectures and didactic presentations

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.