in ethical testing on human subjects, editing written materials, and ongoing participation in developing and eventually carrying out research
Organizing and maintaining patient libraries
Organizing our own supply/storage areas
Maintenance of Yoga and meditation supplies
Teaching PRO-ACT (Professional Assault Crisis Training)
Taking MOAB (Management of Aggressive Behavior) and PRO-ACT courses
Attending conferences and preparing/making presentations to staff
Attending workshops on the unit presented by peers
Staff meetings and other various meetings for special projects
Attending grand rounds and/or combined rounds
Interviewing candidates for open therapist positions
When applicable, training new staff as Group Therapists
Training new MHTs on staff-patient boundaries
Meeting with other departments at the University of Vermont Medical Center, the University of Vermont Department of Leadership and Developmental Sciences, the University of Vermont College of Nursing and Health Sciences, the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, the University of Vermont Integrative Health, the University of Vermont Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Science, and other departments or external colleges, schools and other institutions, when necessary
The very descriptor, definition, and professional title has changes over the years to define multiple tasks and clinical responsibilities, including Recreational Therapist, Activities Therapist, Group Therapist, and Psychotherapist. Currently, both titles Group Therapist, and Psychotherapist are in use, although from the legal perspective the profession requires a Master’s level degree as minimum qualification (thus beyond the Bachelor’s level qualifications generally required at a US-national level for Recreational Therapists and Activities Therapists), the State of Vermont Board of Allied Mental Health requires the title of Psychotherapist, as we previously discussed in Chapter 1. From an organizational perspective, at the University of Vermont Medical Center Inpatient psychiatry Unit, the therapy sessions offered on the unit are lead by the professional figure defined below:
Description—The Group Therapist develops and leads psycho-education, recreation, and informal socialization groups for patients. Provides patients with individual attention when needed. Reports to the Nurse Manager or designee. Has freedom to act within the parameters of the position description. Works in concert with Staff Nurses and other members of the Multi-disciplinary Treatment Team. Daily direct contact with patients. (the University of Vermont Medical Center, 2015)
Job Requirements—Education: (Minimum) Master’s Degree; Experience: Training and experience facilitating groups. Employment experience providing groups in a mental health environment preferred; Knowledge/Special Skills: Advanced skills in interpersonal interactions. Ability to plan and lead therapeutic groups. (the University of Vermont Medical Center, 2015)
2.2 Scope of Practice and patient-provider communication
a) Pre-research analysis
The psychotherapists share patient feedback on provider communication, skills, behavior, and perceived clinical efficacy vs. personal wellbeing through questionnaires administered during the “Focus Groups.” They discuss the results with the patients and follow-up with other multidisciplinary treatment team members if necessary, collect the responses and convert the feedback into statistical data. Two psychotherapist (Adoria Tudor and David Tomasi) are in charge of monitoring and analyzing the collection process and present the results to the team. The most important versions of these surveys and the underlying developmental process are described below:
Focus Group, 2010 Version2
Focus Group Summary
Date: Shep __
No. Attending: Facilitator:
Description of group:
Areas for Improvement:
Nursing:
Social Work:
Activities Therapy:
Physicians:
Food Service:
House Keeping:
Other:
Recommendations:
Things Done Well:
Focus Group, 2014–2017 Version
Month & Year Focus Group Summary for Shepardson Unit South
DATES:
date here x patients contacted, x patients attended, x patients responded, unit census: x
Full Time Therapist 1
date here x patients contacted, x patients attended, x patients responded, unit census: x
Full Time Therapist 2
date here x patients contacted, x patients attended, x patients responded, unit census: x
Full Time Therapist 3
date here x patients contacted, x patients attended, x patients responded, unit census: x
Full Time Therapist 4
DESCRIPTION OF GROUPS:
Explanation & completion of questionnaire & discussion of feedback.
1) Medication Teaching
Concerns:
Recommendations:
Things done well:
2) Pain Management
Concerns:
Recommendations:
Things done well:
3) Physician/Attending
Concerns:
Recommendations:
Things done well:
