Behavioral Health Therapist Associate

Job Posting Title: Behavioral Health Therapist Associate ---- Hiring Department: Department of Psychiatry ---- Position Open To: All Applicants ---- Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40 ---- FLSA Status: Exempt from FLSA ---- Earliest Start Date: Immediately ---- Position Duration: Expected to Continue Until Aug 31, 2027 ---- Location: AUSTIN, TX ---- Job Details: General Notes Dell Medical School is seeking a Behavioral Health Therapist Associate. Purpose This role supports mental health programs and initiatives developed through the Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium, with a focus on improving the quality and accessibility of mental health care for children and adolescents across Texas. This position includes structured clinical supervision to support progression toward independent licensure in Texas: an LPC-Associate must be supervised by an LPC-S, and an LMSW by an LCSW-S, in accordance with state rules. The Behavioral Health Therapist, Associate (LPC-Associate or LMSW) supports children and adolescents enrolled in programs like the Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine (TCHATT) program, which provides telemedicine or telehealth programs to school districts to help identify and assess the behavioral health needs of children and adolescents and provide access to mental health services. Under the supervision of a licensed clinical supervisor consistent with the appropriate licensure (LCSW-S or LPC-S), the therapist associate provides counseling and care management using a patient-centered, collaborative approach with an interdisciplinary team. Key responsibilities include conducting behavioral and mental health assessments, developing and implementing individualized treatment plans, and participating in team-based consultations to support comprehensive care. The therapist associate works with program patients, guardians, and schools to improve a child's overall functioning through evidence-based care. This position has an end date of 8/31/2027, but may be renewable based upon availability of funding, work performance, and progress toward goals. Funding is expected to continue. A flexible working arrangement agreement will be required upon offer. Responsibilities Conducts Behavioral Health Assessments and Provides Psychotherapy * Under the supervision of an LPC-S or LCSW-S (consistent with the appropriate licensure), completes biopsychosocial assessments using CBT, motivational interviewing, supportive therapy, and other clinically indicated modalities. * Develops and implements individualized treatment plans. * Provides individual and family psychotherapy. * Participates in screening, tracking, and reporting of patient outcomes. * Documents all clinical interactions in accordance with ethical, federal, and state standards. Provides Interdisciplinary Consultation and Clinical Expertise * Offers discipline-specific knowledge to interdisciplinary teams. * Advises on mental health, cultural competency, and social determinants of health. * Contributes to innovative approaches for behavioral health management. * Participates in value-based care and research initiatives. * Supports operational improvements in patient care. Delivers School-Based Support and Care Management * Provides clinical support to interdisciplinary teams coordinating services for schools, guardians, and patients. * Shares insights on life factors affecting mental health and medical conditions. * Helps school staff, guardians, and patients build coping strategies and psychological skills to improve the patient's daily functioning. * Connects patients to community mental health services and other resources. * Offers evidence-based consultation to schools on campus mental health needs. Builds Collaborative Networks and Community Relationships * Develops and maintains relationships with community behavioral health providers. * Maintains a collaborative approach with clinical team members and professional communities. Engages in Professional Development and Supervision * Takes part in departmental meetings and continuing education. * Engages in academic and research opportunities. * Participates in clinical supervision under an LPC-S or LCSW-S, consistent with licensure and experience. * Contributes to interdepartmental collaboration and best practice development. Performs other related duties as assigned. MARGINAL OR PERIODIC FUNCTIONS: * Assists with crisis intervention and safety planning during acute episodes. * Participates in community outreach and mental health education events. * Provides input on program development and evaluation. * Performs other related duties as assigned. KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES Interpersonal Savvy * Relates well to all kinds of people; builds rapport quickly; listens attentively. * Builds trust with children and families from different backgrounds. * Navigates sensitive conversations with empathy and professionalism. * Collaborates effectively with interdisciplinary teams. Compassion * Genuinely cares about people; concerned about others' well-being. * Demonstrates patience with emotionally dysregulated youth. * Provides trauma-informed care. * Supports families through difficult diagnoses and transitions. Problem Solving * Uses logic and data to solve complex problems; anticipates obstacles. * Develops creative treatment plans tailored to individual needs. * Identifies barriers to care and proposes solutions. * Adjusts therapeutic approaches based on patient response. Professional Standards and Conduct * Adheres to ethical principles; maintains confidentiality and integrity. * Upholds professional boundaries in therapy. * Ensures compliance with legal and regulatory standards. * Advocates for vulnerable populations. Self-Development * Actively seeks feedback; pursues learning opportunities. * Engages in supervision and reflective practice. * Attends workshops and certifications. * Applies new research to clinical practice. Customer Focus * Consistently meets or exceeds the expectations of internal and external customers. * Responds promptly to family concerns. * Tailors services to meet school and community needs. * Maintains high standards of care delivery. Required Qualifications EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE Requires a Master's Degree in Social Work, Education, Counseling, Psychology or a related field. * 1000 hours towards full clinical licensure. * Experience working with children, adolescents, and/or family systems. * Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate. According to Executive Order No. GA-48 of the State of Texas: for all positions that research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Section 117.001(2), Business and Commerce Code, it is required that both candidates for employment and employees have the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure. Preferred Qualifications * Bilingual in English and Spanish. * Proficiency in at least one electronic medical records systems (e.g. Epic, Athena). * Experience with telehealth platforms and school-based interventions. LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS OR CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED: * Current licensure in the State of Texas as one of the following: o Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) o Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPC-Associate) * Eligibility for clinical supervision under an LPC-S or LCSW-S toward LCSW or LPC licensure. PREFERRED: * None. Salary Range $60,000+ depending on qualifications Working Conditions Standard office equipment. Repetitive use of a keyboard. Occasional weekend, overtime and evening work to meet deadlines. Occasional interstate, intrastate and international travel. Field work as necessary. Required Materials Resume/CV 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor Letter of interest Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure thatALLRequired Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes. Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questionspresented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above. ---- Employment Eligibility: Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval. ---- Retirement Plan Eligibility: The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. ---- Background Checks: A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position. ---- Equal Opportunity Employer: The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer,complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. ---- Pay Transparency: The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. ---- Employment Eligibility Verification: If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university. ---- E-Verify: The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university's company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following: E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF] ---- Compliance: Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031. The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.