Behavioral Health Therapist I - Chemical Dependency

UPMC Chautauqua is seeking a Full-Time Behavioral Health Therapist I to join their Outpatient Chemical Dependency Department. This position will work Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm with no weekends or holidays required. This position may require occasional travel to the Dunkirk clinic depending on departmental needs.

The Behavioral Health Therapist plays a vital role on a collaborative care team, delivering comprehensive behavioral health assessments and evidence-based treatments to patients with behavioral health diagnoses. Services may be provided in a variety of outpatient settings, including traditional outpatient programs, primary care offices, or partial hospitalization environments — ensuring accessible, integrated care tailored to each patient's needs.

Why UPMC Chautauqua?
UPMC Chautauqua is proud to serve the Jamestown community with high-quality, compassionate care. As part of the renowned UPMC system, we combine the innovation of a leading academic medical center with the personalized service of a community hospital.

At UPMC, your career is more than just a job — it's a path to growth and fulfillment. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Benefits package that supports your health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. From competitive pay and health coverage to retirement plans and tuition assistance, we invest in you. Plus, we ongoing opportunities for career advancement and professional development, you'll be empowered to grow your skills and shape your future within a leading healthcare organization.

Sign-On Bonus Available for Behavioral Health Therapists!
We value your commitment and expertise — and we're excited to offer a generous sign-on bonus to welcome you to the team:

• $5,000 for a 1-year work commitment
• $7,000 for a 2-year work commitment
• $10,000 for a 3-year work commitment

Join UPMC and make a meaningful impact while being rewarded for your dedication!

Title and starting pay rate of this position may vary based on years of experience and manager discretion.

Responsibilities:

• Participates in the quality assurance and performance improvement activities of the program.
• Completes clinical documentation on the same day of service delivery and provides clinical information to patient access representative personnel and insurance providers to ensure authorization for services.
• Reviews cases and/or groups periodically, as well as serious clinical patient condition changes, with supervisor and other clinical personnel as indicated.
• Assesses changing needs of patients per guidelines for outpatient and/or partial hospitalization programs and incorporates these into treatment plan and treatment plan review.
• Under direct supervision, conducts assessments of new patients using the identified format for documentation and clinical decisions regarding treatment, interventions, and referrals, as instructed. Implements, improves, and adapts concepts, models, and constructs of treatment for application in service delivery to patients.
• Provides individual and group therapy to patients in the program and engages families in the assessment and treatment processes when indicated. Provides education to patients on recovery.
• Documents all assessments, treatment sessions, contacts, case management, and other work done on behalf of patients according to guidelines.
• Discusses need for additional services with the clinical team to determine appropriateness of recommendations. Refers patients to other levels of care, community-based self-help programs for recovery, or other community social or human services as needed.
• Participates in regular treatment team meetings to discuss clinical cases, review and update patient treatment plans, monitor therapeutic progress, and initiate recommendations for referral and continuing care.
• Maintains daily records of clinical productivity in the program as instructed.
• Creates a treatment plan that includes an effective continuum of therapeutic, supportive, and other services for the patients a variety and complexity of needs serviced by the program.

Required:

• Master's Degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Education in school counseling, or related field required.

• Successfully completed the educational requirements as defined in practicing state's code.

   

Preferred:

• One year of clinical experience preferred. 
• Knowledge of psychiatric evaluation and assessment process, as well as application of current version of the DSM, preferred. 
• Experience in diagnosing and treating behavioral and psychiatric conditions preferred.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

• Passed the examination required by 49.11. relating to licensure examination.
• Must sign a license agreement and be actively working to obtain the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Social Work (LCSW), or Licensed Family Marriage Therapist (LMFT) within 30 months of hire.
• New York SCR Application - Due within first week of Hire. New York State Fingerprint Check may work provisionally for 30 days.
• NYS Fingerprint Check OASAS (NYFP2)
• NYS Staff Exclusion List (NYSEL)
• NYS Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse (NYSCR)

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran