COLUMBIACARE TREATMENT STAFF...

Understand that the people we serve are people first.

• We see those we serve as people first, and their mental illness is just a small part of that total person.
•  Everyone has hopes, dreams, loves, and heartbreak.
• The more we get to know the people we serve as people the easier it will be to meet their treatment needs.
•  We recognize that what looks like ‘decompensation’ is more often than not a reaction to something that would trouble anyone.
• We expect no more from and no less from our clients than we do from ourselves.

 
Apply the ColumbiaCare Treatment Philosophy in their day-to-day decision-making.

• We believe that people need to feel safe and have their basic living needs met before they can work on Recovery.
• If people have their own sense of meaning in their lives they are more motivated to work toward an even more meaningful life.
• We use approved, science-based treatments.
• We believe people get better.

 
Are active models of healthy relationships and caring professionals.

• We are aware of our attitudes and mood, and monitor the impact of these on our behavior, and take action for supervision or relief.
• We offer clients our undivided attention, treat them politely, keep promises, and seek reasonable compromises.
• We support socially adaptive behavior within an Individual’s culture.
• We are humble, and grateful to be in a position to serve others.
• Our clients watch what we do. When on the job we are always “on”…as role models and looking for ‘teachable moments’.

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Recognize that the people we serve have all the rights anyone else has, plus are vulnerable and are protected by laws that require our constant attention. 

• All staff know client rights and how to recognize abuse.
• We call attention to the appropriate level of management when we suspect a condition exists that is not in the best interest of those we serve.
• We consult when we sense potential conflict between an Individual’s right to make decisions for themselves, their safety, and the law. ​

Follow the “Golden Thread” from Assessment to Treatment Planning to documenting that work.

• The assessment focuses on strengths available and needed for Recovery.
• The Treatment Plan tells us what we need to do to help the Individual get better.
• Progress Notes tell the Individual and others how the Individual is doing in their treatment. 
• Documenting our work is the law, good practice, and pays the bills.

 
Collaborate with families, community agencies, and payment sources to ensure the best care for those we serve.

• Supportive families help produce the best outcomes.
• Community partners and funders are essential parts of the fabric supporting our clients’ connectedness and integration.
•  We don’t say what we can’t do. We find out what the Individual needs from us in terms of housing and treatment, then seek creative ways to fund those supports.

 
Understand that ‘administrative’ tasks such as timely reporting, cleaning, and accounting are just as important to the overall success of our mission as more ‘clinical’ tasks.

• The environments in which we do treatment are as important to our Treatment Philosophy and good outcomes as the treatments themselves.
• All of these functions are interrelated even though we might not always see the connections.
• When we do what needs to be done we produce ‘teachable moments’ and we are role models of teamwork and effectiveness for those we serve.

 
View seeking supervision as a sign of curiosity and growth.

• "What works” is as important to talk about as “what doesn’t”.
• ”Mistakes” are to be expected and are seen as Quality Improvement opportunities.

• Professional skill development is a personal expectation and benefits our clients. ​ ​

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