Mental Health Therapist - Family Safety - $5,000 Hiring Bonus
Company: Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority
Location: Cherokee
Posted on: February 15, 2026
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Job Description:
Job Description Job Description:\n\n Primary Function Provide
comprehensive clinical assessments and treatment services for
patients with behavioral health and substance abuse disorders who
are Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indian (EBCI) and Indian Health
Service (IHS) eligible. Provide clinical screening and
comprehensive clinical assessment, treatment plan development, and
provision of individual, group and family therapy using
evidence-based models. Employee will also provide walk-in
assessment, emergency, crisis intervention, consultation and
education services as needed. Serve individuals in various
locations in the community as assigned. If assigned to a specific
population or agency location, the employee will follow policies
and procedures developed for that unit. This position will
primarily serve children and families but may see adults. Direct
Service DutiesProvide direct clinical services to EBCI and other
eligible persons in all approved locations, including the hospital,
child outpatient office, Graham and Cherokee County offices, as
well as other satellite locations. Clinical services offered will
include the following:Comprehensive Clinical Assessment – The CCA
is a term used to include a number of assessments and evaluations
that are administered based on the patient's clinical presentation.
Some of the elements of the CCA are general health and behavioral
health history, bio-psycho-social history, description of current
challenges, strengths, recommendations for services, clinical
summary of information/data gathered about the patient, as well as
other needed dimensions of the patient’s life. Person Centered
Treatment Planning – The Planning process will include the patient,
and they should be the ones guiding the session. Additionally, it
will include input from family members and community supports
whenever possible. The planning process will be based on clearly
defined problems and needs. The goals in the plan should be based
on patients’ needs, strengths, and limitations. Additionally, goals
should be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and
time-limitedIndividual Therapy – Therapy sessions will utilize
currently accepted models, theories, and/or approaches to therapy.
Family Therapy – Whenever possible, as much of the patient’s family
will be involved in Family Therapy regularly as part of the
patient’s treatment. Group Therapy – When appropriate and
available, the patient will attend group sessions. Group sessions
can be accessed in conjunction with and/or replace Individual
Therapy, dependent on the patient’s clinical needs. Crisis Services
– Crisis Services are offered through an On-call warm line. The
patient will be informed of the number to the warm line. Therapist
will share the responsibility of staffing the warm line. Referral
to clinical services outside of Analenisgi – If/when the patient
has needs that are not offered or currently available at
Analenisgi, the clinician will support the individual in receiving
the needed service by referring them to an agency that offers the
service. Collaborate with treatment teams, medical staff, and other
health professionals to determine the patients’ needs and resources
(including both family and community).Ensure interdisciplinary
teams stay informed of changing therapeutic needs relating to their
involvement with the client. Ensure documentation of all treatment
and clinically significant events in the Electronic Health Record
as prescribed by CIHA policies and procedures and quality assurance
standards.Collaborate with other professionals and agencies to
develop a viable therapeutic team network to facilitate patient
care, discharge, and follow-up. Adhere to all applicable
confidentiality policies, procedures, and practices for the
maintenance and release of patient records.Responsible for
completion of intake forms, identification of community resources,
patient assessment, provision and coordination of supportive
services, and patient advocacy.Follows the provisions contained in
all applicable privacy/confidentiality policies, procedures, and
practices, including EBCI, CIHA, IHS, DHHS, HIPAA, CFR 42, or other
licensing bodies.Responsible for attending clinical staffing as an
integral component of a treatment team, facilitating the discussion
of patient data, and formulating changes to the treatment
plan.Assists in attaining and maintaining accreditation by the
Joint Commission of Health Care Organizations.Participates in
division/program meetings to review and identify opportunities to
improve the program and treatment provided, and recommends
corrective action when problems are identified. This includes
assisting with changes in policy and procedure, which would improve
the care of service delivery.Participates in the provision of
periodic in-service training for non-health care practitioner
members of the clinical and administrative staff on subjects
pertaining to clinical and case management services. This shall
include responsibility for developing and implementing psycho
educational programs, community relations, and information and
referral.Participate in community planning and implementation of
programs to help resolve such complex issues as improving the
coordination of services. Represents the CIHA Analenisgi at regular
team meetings for progress review and during emergency meetings
dealing with high-risk situations.Provides written, telephone, and
face-to-face consultation services to various persons and
organizations that affect the patient. These include schools,
courts, probation officers, physicians, hospitals, medical care
providers, law enforcement officers, social services, and community
agencies. Regular progress reports are required for communicating
with the court and judicial supervisors. Represents the Analenisgi
Center at regular team meetings for progress review and during
emergency meetings dealing with high-risk situations.Expected to
obtain continuing education both through in-service training and
through access and tuition payment for approved training seminars
and workshops. Present an overview of training to the team.Provides
clinical care and support to identified patients in the other
departments at Cherokee Indian Hospital.Learn and effectively
utilize an electronic medical record and other software required
for operation in the CIHA system.Provides crisis response to the
CIHA Emergency Department as needed.Adhere to ASAM, LOCUS, CALOCUS,
or other appropriate criteria when referring a client to the level
of care recommended.Assists with observed urine drug screens as
outlined in Analenisgi's policies and procedures.Provides written,
telephone, and face-to-face consultation services to various
persons and organizations that affect the patient. These include
home, residential setting, schools, courts, probation officers,
physicians, hospitals, medical care providers, law enforcement
officers, social services, and community agencies. Regular progress
reports are required for communicating with the court and judicial
supervisors. Represents the Analenisgi Center at regular team
meetings for progress review and during emergency meetings dealing
with high-risk situations.This position is expected to provide
sufficient billable/reimbursable services to achieve the
productivity standard established for this position. Assists in
attaining and maintaining accreditation by the Joint Commission of
Health Care Organizations.Participates in division/program meetings
to review and identify opportunities to improve the program and
treatment provided, and recommend corrective action when problems
are identified. This includes assisting with changes in policy and
procedure, which would improve the care of service delivery.Ensure
knowledge or efforts to understand the strengths and challenges of
those served.Operate in a support role as assigned in the Beauty
for Ashes program and servicesOther duties as assigned.
Education/Experience/Qualifications RequiredMaster’s Degree in the
behavioral health field, such as Social Work, Psychology, Marriage
& Family Therapy, or Counseling, required. Degree must be obtained
from an accredited university that is accepted by the appropriate
licensing agencies in NC.NC license LCSW, LPP, LCMHC, or LMFT. A
provisional or associate license may be accepted.Must be approved
for and maintain medical credentialing, upon hire; andMust possess
a valid driver's license. PreferredSpecific experience working with
Native Americans. Job KnowledgeKnowledge of individual, group, and
couples/family modalities with expertise in crisis intervention
with individuals and families experiencing acute episodes of
distress.Ability to ascertain the potential lethality of a
situation and respond and refer accordingly.Ability to learn
computerized treatment systems such as the Electronic Medical
Record, RPMS and ability to maintain records and files manually and
on the computer.Displays originality and initiative to complete
daily performance of tasks. Knowledge of principles, techniques,
and practices, and their application to complex casework, group
work, and community problems.Knowledge of a wide range of medical,
behavioral, and psychosocial problems and their treatment.Knowledge
of governmental and private organizations and resources in the
community.Knowledge of the laws, regulations, and policies that
govern the program.Knowledge of medical terminology, disease
processes, and their treatment as they relate to decisions
regarding clinical interventions and appropriate therapies based on
medical or psychological diagnosis. Knowledge of substance abuse to
include diagnostic criteria for abuse, dependence, intoxication and
withdrawal of all drug classifications, methods of evaluation and
assessment, impact of behavioral health issues on patients ability
to negotiate treatment recommendations, current treatment
approaches, modalities of care, and substance abuse and other
programs or services available to patients.Skill in establishing
rapport with a patient and in applying techniques of assessing
psychological, behavioral, and psychosocial aspects of patient's
problems.Willingness to learn more about Cherokee
culture/population and to have considerations for this when
identified.Ability to establish and maintain effective working
relationships with members on their caseload and their families,
other professional disciplines, and a variety of governmental and
private resources and organizations in the community.Ability to
express ideas clearly and concisely and to plan and execute work
effectively. Complexity of Duties This position is responsible for
assisting in maximizing the available resources to meet the
behavioral health needs of the community. Must have the ability to
interpret policy, laws, and regulations to make decisions when a
precedent is not available. Duties require the application of
clinical judgment and problem-solving skills in order to be
effective. Judgment often involves decisions that may have
life-or-death consequences. Supervision Received Works under the
direct guidance of the Family Safety Supervisor, where
responsibilities and assignments are often broadly defined.
Position must demonstrate considerable initiative and ability to
work independently within applicable licensing regulations, where
latitude for creative thinking, initiative, and discretion is given
to achieve department goals and objectives. Position must
communicate effectively with supervisor to ensure alignment with
organizational goals, mission, vision, and values. Responsibility
for Accuracy Failure to provide adequate clinical services or to
properly manage and direct activities could result in poor client
outcomes, delays in patient treatment, and negative patient and
community relations. Ineffective health planning could have adverse
effects on the health status of the community by limiting access to
necessary resources. The accuracy of data and research is critical
in the allocation of tribal resources. The employee is responsible
for adhering to the policy and procedure. Inappropriate actions or
inaccuracies in judgment could result in improper diagnosis and
treatment, serious liability for the tribe, or serious health risks
to patients. Contacts with Others Interacts frequently with
coworkers, hospital staff, patients, stakeholders, and other health
professionals for the purpose of exchanging information, obtaining,
or providing assistance. Serves on various local, community, and
health committees, boards and advisory councils, as appropriate.
Tact, courtesy, and professional conduct are required to maintain
positive working relationships. Utmost sensitivity and
confidentiality is required when dealing with patients and
families. Confidential Data The provision of medical care requires
that the incumbent maintain strict appropriate confidentiality
regarding all patient information. The employee will have access to
patient records and highly confidential information and must
function with utmost integrity to safeguard this information. The
employee complies with EBCI policy on confidentiality of patient
records, Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority Confidentiality policy,
HIPAA, and other federal law requirements. Violations of
confidentiality regulations may result inter-disciplinary action
and other action as allowed by federal regulations.
Mental/Visual/Physical Job duties can be mentally and emotionally
stressful at times, given the complexity of the duties, management
and supervision of staff, and the clinical areas being addressed
with the people being served. Close mental concentration and
attention to detail are required. Physical activities require the
ability to be mobile, sit, reach, bend, and be in front of groups
and deliver training for extended periods. Some physical exertion
and stamina is required, such as those required to transport
training materials or to travel. Must have visual acuity, manual
dexterity, and the ability to speak and hear. Must be able to lift
30 lbs. Position requires: stand (under 1/3 time); walk (under 1/3
time); sit (to 2/3 time); talk or hear (over 2/3 time).Weight
lifted or force exerted: none.Special vision requirements: Close
vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less). Environment The
employee works primarily in the PHHS Family Safety Building or
different areas out in the community, but may be required to work
at other offices and locations. The work environment involves
moderate risks of exposure to infectious disease, radiation,
electrical hazards, irritant chemicals, and explosive gases.
Employees must strictly adhere to OSHA guidelines and protocol for
maintaining sterile conditions. Some travel is required. Infrequent
overnight travel may be required for meetings or to attend
training. Emergency Privileges In the case of an emergency, any
member of the Medical Staff, to the degree permitted by his/her
license, shall be permitted to do everything possible to save a
Keywords: Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority, Hickory , Mental Health Therapist - Family Safety - $5,000 Hiring Bonus, Healthcare , Cherokee, North Carolina
