How have you impacted someone’s life today?

At Hackensack Meridian Health our healthcare teams are focused on changing the lives of our patients by providing the highest level of care each and every day.  From our hospitals, rehab centers and occupational health teams to our long-term care centers and at-home care capabilities, our complete spectrum of services will allow you to apply your skills in multiple settings while building your career all within New Jersey’s premier healthcare system.

The Primary Therapist III leads the Primary Therapist team; provides clinical supervision; and coordinates the psychosocial services in the area of need. As a member of the clinical treatment team the Primary Therapist III provides care to patients utilizing a variety of modalities. This position coordinates the care and management of patients and family members as well as bringing cases to final disposition and is primarily responsible for development and implementation of social work programs in their assigned ambulatory and/or inpatient unit.

We invite you to listen to our team members share what it's like to be part of HMH's Carrier Clinic Team:

A Day in the life of a Primary Therapist III at Hackensack Meridian includes:

• Provides a comprehensive psychosocial assessment, inclusive of evidence based validated outcome measurements, of patient's psychosocial needs and develops treatment plans and treatment plan reviews based on findings and according to department policy;
  
• Provides effective treatment to patients, whether assessment or therapy (individual or group), and shares and interprets information to staff, families, and/or other approved agencies.
  
• Provides psychotherapeutic services to patients in accordance with Licensure regulations defined by the Board of Social Work Examiners or National Board for Certified Counselors and obtains and interprets information in terms of patient needs, knowledge of growth and development, and an understanding of the range of treatment required for that age group.
  
• Assists in the development and evaluation of quality assurance and performance improvement programs and initiatives.
  
• Provides comprehensive case management services, treatment team meetings, and disposition planning.
  
• Develops a comprehensive discharge plan, in collaboration with the patient/family patient caregiver, patient support persons, and healthcare team that will provide maximum benefit for each patient as needed. 
  
• Ensures that the discharge plan will be the least restrictive environment that best meets the continuing care needs of the patient. 
  
• Reassesses periodically and evaluates care goals and the plan of care and, revises when indicated.  Medical records reflect that each patient's discharge plan is re-assessed no less than weekly in response to change in medical situation.
  
• Complies with unit practice standards relating to case management including addressing family and community resources, eligibility for entitlement programs, and other health care providers.
  
• Provides instruction to patients and families related to illness and expectations of treatment addressing their learning needs and learning style.
  
• Integrates discharge planning into ongoing treatment to assure a continuity of care for patients upon completion of treatment.
  
• Functions collaboratively with treatment team members to enhance service to patients.
  
• Maintains patient records as required by law and Medical Center or Agency policy.
  
• Assists other mental health professionals in expediting emergencies and/or functions as co-therapist in special situations.
  
• Presents at professional meeting locally and nationally and prepares materials for publication in professional journals, if applicable
  
• Identifies the needs of the patient population served and modifies and delivers care that is specific to those needs (i.e. age, culture, language, hearing and/or visually impaired, etc.). This process includes communicating with the patient, parent and/or primary caregiver(s) at their level (developmental/age, educational, literacy, etc.).
  
• Meets with all clinical supervisees, at least weekly, in accordance with appropriate Board requirements. 
  
• Documents and maintains a record of supervision sessions which includes notes on: agenda items, case review, application of theory, skillset, intervention, ethical considerations, mandated reporting, and other related information or concerns.
  
• Provides direct and indirect observation of supervisees' sessions (i.e. live/in-person observation and/or review of approved recorded sessions) to increase clinical supervisees' clinical skillset, abilities, and knowledge.
  
• Conducts ongoing chart reviews of clinical supervisees and provides necessary feedback to cultivate supervisees' growth and development.
  
• Provides regular feedback to the Director regarding clinical supervision, needs, and concerns.
  
• Completes the Supervisor's section(s) of the supervisees' application for advanced licensure to appropriate Board.
  
• Assists in daily operational tasks of the department (i.e. patient assignments, IMM audits, time off requests, communication with health plans, chart reviews, and chart audits).

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

1. Master's Degree in Social Work (MSW) or Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
   
2. Minimum of 5 years of post Master's Degree clinical experience.
   
3. Proficiency with policy review and program planning.
   
4. Demonstration of leadership abilities.
   
5. Trained in individual, family, and group psychotherapy interventions.
   
6. Knowledge of psychopathology, differential diagnosis, and psychotherapy treatment techniques.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

1. NJ Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Professional Counselor License (LPC).
   
2. Completion of Clinical Social Work Supervision Certification Course or Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) credential.

Licenses and Certifications Preferred:

1. Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS) credential.

If you feel that the above description speaks directly to your strengths and capabilities, then please apply today!