About Whitman-Walker Health

Whitman-Walker envisions a society where all persons are seen for who they are, treated with dignity and respect, and afforded equal opportunity to health and wellbeing. Through care, advocacy, research, and education, we empower all persons to live healthily, love openly, and achieve equality and inclusion. For over 50 years, we have been meeting the needs of our communities with the endless dedication of our diverse teams.

Job Summary

Provides professional substance use disorder counseling and psychotherapy to clients of the health center, including diagnostic assessment, treatment planning, and professional counseling to individuals in need of addressing Substance Use Disorders/substance misuse and co-occurring mental health diagnoses. The psychotherapist will work with other treatment personnel in a coordinated, comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach. Provides services as necessary to enable each client to meet their goals and to reach their maximum level of recovery, and makes referrals as needed

Core WWH Primary Essential Duties:

• Performs and behaves in accordance with Whitman-Walker's mission, cultural norms, and core values of dignity, respect, affirmation, and humility.
• Maintains a respectful, non-judgmental, and compassionate manner with patients/clients/staff.
• Demonstrates excellent customer service by identifying and exceeding customer requirements.
• Adheres to Whitman-Walker policies and procedures, with special attention given to HIPAA requirements.
• Maintains data integrity through conscientious use of relevant tools and employing a system of checks and balances.
• Demonstrates organizational skills necessary to multi-task, meet deadlines, and re-prioritize as needed.
• Participates in organizational quality and performance improvement activities.

Role Specific Primary Essential Duties:

• Intake, Assessment, and Treatment Planning
  1. Conducts thorough and comprehensive intake and assessment with each assigned client within the designated time frame.
  2. Facilitates the participation of the client in the development of goal-oriented treatment planning
• Clinical Practice
• Provide individual, group, couples, and family psychotherapy services

• Maintain 30 hours of direct client care per week, unless delegated to do other work for the Health Center approved by your manager
• Effective in assessing for risk and intervening in crisis situations.
• Ensures appropriate clinical treatment congruent with DSM-5 diagnosis and comfortable with ICD-10
• Provides case formulation for each client from a sound theoretical knowledge base
• Attends clinical supervision with designated Behavioral Health Lead Clinician
• Assess client and caregiver need for education; provide education as appropriate, make referrals for additional education as needed. Provides educational presentations for clients and providers on topics relevant to the treatment of problematic substance use with particular knowledge related to substances that primarily impact Whitman Walker Health's patient population including specific knowledge, such as, but not limited to risk factors for other co-occurring chronic conditions including HIV and Hepatitis C, overdose risk, harm reduction, medication-assisted treatment, relapse prevention basic neurobiology of substance misuse, and general mental health substance use disorder topics.
• Assists clients in identifying and accessing various internal and external community resources
• Provides timely referrals and monitors their progress.
• Effectively advocates for clients, as needed.
• Responds in a timely manner to all client, collateral, and agency contacts
• Monitors client progress toward treatment goals.
• Reassesses client needs in a clinically appropriate time frame.
• Provides ongoing assessment of client's level of care needs, coordinating client transfer to a different level of care or discharge from care, as appropriate
• Is prepared and actively participates in case presentations, conferences, and multi-disciplinary meetings.
• Effectively coordinates with other disciplines to address client needs and treatment goals.
• Maintains accurate and up-to-date records and computer information on every assigned client in accordance with applicable guidelines and regulations.
• Conducts monthly review and resolution of data entry problems.
• Adheres to all program and Health Center policies and procedures
• Conducts quarterly chart audits in a timely manner in accordance with Quality Improvement procedures.
• Clinical documentation should be completed and locked within 72 hours
• Participates in quality assurance and quality improvement measures.
• Works with supervisor to identify areas for performance improvement and professional development.
• Attends and participates in internal and external in-services, workshops, and conferences for professional development and to keep informed of changes and innovations in the field
• Understands and participates in quality improvement activities of the department

Core WWH Knowledge, Skills, and Talents Required:

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to manage time and effort in order to meet strategic objectives.
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing excellent customer service, both internal and external.
• Knowledge of all applicable WWH policies and procedures.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of healthcare information systems with the ability to adapt to new electronic medical records and population health platforms.
• Analytical skills are necessary for the preparation of accurate, concise, and comprehensive reports.
• Ability to maintain records and information in an accurate, timely, and confidential manner.
• Ability to adapt to changes in the service delivery model, re-prioritizing as necessary.
• Flexibility to work various shifts, including afternoon, evening, and weekend shifts as necessary.
• Flexibility to work within the organization's various locations as necessary.
• Commitment to health equity.

Role Specific- Knowledge, Skills, and Talents Required:

• Thorough knowledge of substance misuse treatment principles, counseling techniques, diagnostic assessment, and treatment planning. Particular knowledge of problematic opioid use and co-occurring diagnoses and trauma-informed care preferred
• Knowledge of and access to community resources and support groups
• Experience in facilitating SUD group therapy, Co-occurring group therapy, and psycho-education groups on recovery
• Ability to accurately complete assessment and diagnostic forms as part of the medical record.
• Ability to interpret urine drug screens to inform patient care
• Ability to appropriately intervene in situations involving hostile clients or individuals experiencing a crisis.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, staff, and the treatment community
• Skill in group and family counseling and psychotherapy
• Sensitivity to diverse cultural, ethnic, sexual orientation, and gender identities, as well as HIV/AIDS issues
• Ability to use a personal computer. Working knowledge of MS Word, Excel, Access, Outlook and PowerPoint

Education and Experience Required

• Master of Social Work or Counseling-related degree
• Valid Clinical Independent Licensure, as required by the District of Columbia
• At least 2 years of clinical experience
• Experience working with a broadly diverse population and the ability to work harmoniously with diverse groups of individuals are required.
• Experience working with members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Gender Expansive, Queer, Asexual, and Intersexed communities preferred.
• 1 year of experience working with people living with HIV or issues related to HIV care preferred.

Working Conditions:

Working conditions for this position are normal for an office environment. Individual may be required to work evenings and/or weekends and organization events.

Physical Demands:

• Lifting: No more than 20 lbs. and infrequently.
• Movement: Standing and sitting for long periods.
• Visual: Long periods on computer.
• Concentration: Extended periods of engagement with computer systems where concentration is key to accuracy in data entry. Intermittent periods of engagement with a telephone system to respond to inquiries where concentration is key to task performance.
• Communication: Direct and indirect communication. Written and verbal competency.

The above job description is designed to indicate a general sense of the duties and expectations of this position. It is not to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties and responsibilities required. As the nature of our business demands change, so too, may the duties and responsibilities of this position. You may be required to perform other duties as requested, directed, or assigned.

Whitman-Walker is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate against applicants, its employees, or former employees on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or gender identity. For accommodation in the application process, please contact Human Resources.