Associate Therapist - SUD, Residential

Casa Palmera

Casa Palmera is a nationally recognized subacute residential treatment center offering drug rehabilitation, treatment for alcohol addiction as well as treatment for mood disorders and anxiety and trauma disorders. Casa Palmera is staffed with a diverse team of psychiatrists, psychologists and therapists who work together to help each patient move forward within a caring community.

If you are looking for an organization that thrives on growth, celebrates diversity of thought, and rewards passionate execution, you’ve come to the right place. Because we put clients first, it is our honor to support and reward those who serve them.

Position Summary

The Associate Therapist works in a dynamic multidisciplinary team providing treatment services according to the Discovery Clinical Model. Therapist responsibilities include ensuring patient safety, providing milieu interventions, leading psychoeducational and process-oriented therapy groups, facilitate clinical assessments, conducting therapy sessions, and other case management tasks, as assigned.

Essential Job Functions

Ensure clinical documentation is completed timely throughout the course of treatment. All documentation is required to be done at the time of service.

• Establish therapeutic rapport with patients and families/loved ones.
• Understands role in providing expeditious access to care for individuals seeking services.
• Participates in weekly treatment team and communicates weekly treatment goals with all team members.
• Maintain a case load of 5-7 patients.
• Completes appropriate number of therapy sessions assigned weekly for patients, including family/support system sessions aligned with the patients’ level of care.
• Facilitates the process orientated and psychoeducation groups daily/weekly.

Provides utilization reviews to insurance companies, providing appropriate clinical information to obtain initial authorization and continuing stay authorization, as necessary.

Is appropriately accessible to family members or loved ones. Returning all calls and emails within 4 hours during business hours of operations and 24 hours at all other times.

• Assesses patients for suicidality and possibility of danger to self or others.
• May provide additional clinical support for other members of the clinical team in their absence.
• Communicates with the Utilization Review Department regarding authorizations.
• Discharge planning begins on day of admission for all patients.
• Completes discharge session with patient to ensure coping skills, transition plan, and resources are understood and intact.
• Effectively manages crises in sessions and the milieu.
• Provides support to milieu staff in their interactions with patients and their loved ones.
• Works collaboratively with the entire treatment team and milieu staff to always ensure the highest level of clinical quality.
• Completes other tasks, as requested, or assigned.
• Knowledge, Education, and Experience
• Master’s or Doctorate degree in relevant field, required
• Completion of state requirements to conduct therapeutic interventions, required
• Operates under supervision and is not licensed
• Obtain CPR, AED, and First Aid certification within 90 days of hire
• Must possess a current driver’s license and be in good standing
• Employment Status: Full time
• Schedule: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm
• Work Location: Del Mar, CA
• Compensation: Pay Range: $70,304 - $80,000 salary

Discovery Behavioral Health seeks to build a diverse staff that is reflective of the patients we serve and the communities where we work. DBH encourages multiple perspectives, experiences, and strives to hire and retain a diverse workforce.

We are proud to be an EEO employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.