Crisis Bed Therapist

Job Description

Job Description

About Delaware Guidance Services

Delaware Guidance Services for Children and Youth, Inc. (DGS) is the largest provider of outpatient behavioral health services to children and families in Delaware. We operate offices in Wilmington, Newark, Dover, Lewes, and Seaford, and we are the only statewide not-for-profit outpatient behavioral health organization for children and adolescents accredited by JCAHO. In 2020, we were honored as a Compassionate Champion for our dedication to serving youth and families using a trauma-informed approach.

Through DGS, clients and families have access to outpatient counseling, group therapy, parent-child interaction therapy, and school-based services. Our community-based service lines serve youth and families who require a more intense therapeutic protocol. DGS’ 24-hour statewide Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) dispatches skilled crisis intervention clinicians to provide immediate care to children experiencing behavioral health crises. Therapeutic options are available for a wide range of diagnoses including depression, anxiety, mood disorders, eating disorders, traumatic stress-related disorders, and suicidal ideation. In 2021, DGS clinicians provided over 54,000 direct care hours to children, youth, and families in Delaware. Over 93% of clients report improvement in their level of functioning following treatment, and therapeutic benefits derived from trauma-informed care extend to clients’ siblings, caregivers, classmates, and peers.

Our client population is racially and ethnically diverse; 80% of DGS clients are Medicaid recipients and 90% have household incomes under $30,000. Many of our clients present with significant treatment challenges including learning impacts due to missed school and negative economic impact due to parental missed work. We provide care to anyone in need, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay for care. DGS also provides services specifically tailored to meet the unique behavioral health care needs of child welfare-involved families and foster youth

Why Work at Delaware Guidance Services?

DGS strives to build a collaborative, flexible, and client-focused work environment. Employee wellness is a top priority. In addition to offering flexible work arrangements, DGS offers a comprehensive and competitive employee benefits package including the following:

• Competitive Compensation
• Incentive Pay for Specific Roles
• Generous Paid Time Off ( starting at 44 days of paid leave a year )
• Up to 6% Annual Contribution to Your Retirement Fund
• Free Professional Development Opportunities
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Life and Long-term Disability Insurance

Position Highlights:

• Generous benefits and time off policies
• Ability to work with children through a mission driven organization

Summary/objective

Under the supervision of the Crisis Program Manager, the Crisis Bed Therapist is responsible for providing clinical behavioral health services to clients in the Crisis Bed Program and will carry a small outpatient caseload. This position will provide individual, group, and family therapy for youth admitted to the Crisis Bed Program with a wide variety of psychological and emotional problems (ie. aggressive and defiant behavior due to problems with emotion regulation, suicidal/homicidal ideation, plans, or attempts, family conflicts, etc.) to ensure the safety and wellbeing of clients in a Crisis Bed setting. The incumbent is responsible for clinical consultation to Mental Health Technicians, Crisis Bed Shift Supervisors and Crisis Bed Coordinator. They are dedicated and committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate, and therapeutic client care. In addition, the incumbent is responsible for documentation of clinical and case management services provided from intake through discharge.

Essential functions:

Clinical Role in Crisis Bed Setting:

• Collaborate closely with Crisis Bed Coordinator to ensure highest clinical standards are maintained
• Conduct psychosocial assessments to document client history and identify preliminary issues for treatment focus by interviewing the client and their family members.
• Provide individual, group, and family therapy in addition to crisis intervention using various treatment modalities
• Develop and coordinate an individualized discharge plan for the client by utilizing the treatment team, determine aftercare needs, identify and assess family and community resources, and provide referrals as needed
• Conduct risk assessments to determine appropriate level of care
• Apply knowledge related to developmental factors, family, and community systems to participate in the development and implementation of a person-centered treatment plan
• Deliver solution-focused and trauma-informed clinical interventions to maintain safety, build skills, and address problem solving, communication, and relationship conflicts
• Use critical thinking and risk management skills when connecting with clients in Crisis Bed
• Understand warning signs and risk factors associated with suicide risk and risk of harm to others
• Maintain professional, trauma-informed, and empathetic interactions during interactions with children, families, and stakeholders
• Develop comprehensive skills providing support for children and youth in Crisis Bed
• Review and sign clinical documentation from Mental Health Technicians, Crisis Bed Shift Supervisors and Crisis Bed Coordinator

Functional Role in Crisis Bed Setting:

• Responsible for implementing and monitoring the Clinical needs of Crisis Bed program including identifying areas for training and growth
• Work respectfully and cooperatively together as a unified team member in a professional manner with other Crisis Bed staff, families, and community members

Functional Role in Crisis Bed Setting:

• Engages and collaborates with community resources, make appropriate referrals, and consult with other agencies on behalf of clients
• Collaborates with school staff regarding behavioral health services for students
• Complete required documentation for clinical records within established timeframes.
• Participates in scheduled supervision with the direct People Leader
• Maintains active status licensure with respective State of Delaware Division of

Professional Regulation

General Responsibilities:

• Uphold professional standards of treatment and the mission of the organization
• Maintain a quality code of conduct, ethics and professionalism
• Provide goal-directed and team-oriented services
• Communicate effectively and professionally with all stakeholders
• Assure compliance with all policies and procedures and licensing regulations
• Must successfully complete all agency required training within30 days of employment and maintain timely applicable certification
• Must successfully complete refresher trainings within the identified timeframes

Competencies/ Capabilities:

• Crisis Intervention and Risk Assessment
• Knowledge and application of therapeutic interventions
• Clinical Judgment/decision making/problem solving
• Effective Practice Management
• Adaptability/continuous improvement

Supervisory responsibilities: none

Work environment: Lewes, DE

Physical Demands:

• This position involves physical interventions, including the potential use of holds, and may require the ability to lift, carry, and assist clients as needed. The successful candidate must be physically capable of responding to challenging situations in a safe and controlled manner
• Frequent walking, standing, twisting, bending, squatting
• Proficient auditory and visual skills

Travel required: Travel for specific tasks

Schedule:

• 8-hour shift
• Monday-Friday

Minimum qualification:

• Master’s Degree which qualifies for licensure in the state of Delaware as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), License Professional Counselor of Mental Health (LPCMH), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or Licensed Psychologist.
• Possess Delaware Clinical Licensure (social work, psychology, counseling)
• Minimum of two years of relevant full-time post graduate experience

Preferred qualification:

• Experience working in an in patient or residential/group home setting
• Bilingual

Other duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.