Cottage Therapist - Children's Residential Center

SUMMARY

The CRC Cottage Therapist provides individual and group therapy as well as crisis counseling to clients on his/her caseload according to each client’s needs/abilities. Functions as a team leader within the assigned cottage to oversee therapeutic services and guide client through the treatment program. Collaborates with Cottage Supervisor to create and maintain a healthy culture in which staff are supported and empowered to provide a healthy balance of structure and nurture so that clients can feel safe to engage in programming and receive treatment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Job-specific essential functions include the following: It is the responsibility of each employee to be a consistent witness for Jesus Christ and to adhere to the Statement of Faith/Standard of Moral Conduct. Further, each employee is responsible for dealing with others with a Christ‑like attitude while helping them experience their worth in Christ and demonstrating behaviors reflecting CCHO’s core values of Relentless Commitment, Selflessness, and Kindness. TEAM FIRST: Makes every effort to maintain a 'team first' spirit and atmosphere within the workplace environment, maintaining appropriate working relationships and promoting collaboration. Meets regularly (at least monthly) with Cottage Supervisor to discuss the culture/tone of the cottage, specific client concerns/issues, areas of development, etc. and documents minutes from these meetings. Collects, organizes and analyzes information about individuals and families through records, tests, interviews and professional sources. Assesses client's therapeutic needs/strengths and establishes a therapeutic relationship while utilizing interventions that will enhance overall functioning. Provides support for cottage staff and clinicians through debriefing and processing incidents occurring with residents and providing psychoeducation on diagnoses and behaviors. Facilitates group sessions, assisting individuals to understand and overcome past trauma and find hope and insight into their present and future dreams/goals. Completes appropriate documentation and paperwork including, but not limited to, progress notes after each therapy session, step-down/extension/discharge recommendations, Behavior Intervention Plans, Mental Health Assessments, Discharge/Transfer summaries and ITP's. Coordinates services with psychiatric and psychological services. Develops and maintains appropriate records on clients. Participates in various assigned committees. Participates in referral team, giving input on which clients would fit program well. Participates in referral interviews as needed. Facilitates assessment for new intakes and works to engage client in programming. Available 24/7, as appropriate, to meet the needs of residents on‑site or face‑to‑face via interactive videoconferencing. Provides lethality assessments/recommendations for care. Facilitates case management by designing, writing and coordinating individualized treatment plans (ITP) for each client. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, reading/analyzing materials and reports from outside organizations, discussing with staff the progress of the client, revision of plans in order to ensure the best possible care, collaborating with Shift Supervisors on how treatment plans should be implemented by treatment team, monitoring compliance with the plans, attending school IEP meetings, participating in weekly status meetings and attending cottage group meetings to discuss treatment. Attends court as needed. Interviews, evaluates and participates in the decision process regarding new candidates for CCHO. Provides treatment/interacts with clients and families utilizing Trust Based Relational Intervention modality. Completes and updates room exceptions lists for each client's room in assigned cottage. Creates and oversees implementation of Integrated Guidance Plans for each client in assigned cottage. Performs other duties as required, including but not limited to participation in agency and professional training and collaboration with cottage clinical team and other CRC positions. Provides training to cottage staff regarding needs of the client. Other duties may be assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None.

REQUIRED SKILLS & ABILITIES

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedure, or governmental regulations. Ability to read, comprehend and write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to effectively communicate before groups of varying sizes of customers or employees of the organization. Excellent interpersonal skills, including conflict resolution, required. Must be able to communicate well with colleagues, verbally and in writing to ensure safety and efficiency. Ability to multi‑task and prioritize assignments. Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. Ability to apply common sense. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems. Ability to deal with nonverbal symbolism (formulas, scientific equations, graphs, etc.,) in its most difficult phases. Ability to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables. Competency with Microsoft Office Suite and the internet, as well as CCHO clinical documentation software (electronic health record). Ability to function well in a fast‑paced environment, as well as cope and tolerate high levels of stress.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSES

Master’s Degree in social work or counseling strongly preferred. Bachelor's level clinicians may be considered, depending on type, length, etc. of related experience. License in social work (LSW) or counseling (LPC) required. Independent licensure (LISW, LPCC) preferred. Four to ten years of related experience. Experience working with children from hard places strongly preferred. Strong preference for experience in a children’s residential treatment facility. Valid Ohio Driver’s License and a driving record that allows that individual to be insurable on agency policy, as job includes occasional travel.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Frequently required to walk, sit, talk, and hear, including a requirement to stand or walk for extended periods of time, sometimes through uneven terrain. Often required to use hands/fingers, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms, climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Regularly able to lift/move up to 50 pounds. Must be able to be outdoors in various weather conditions for extended amounts of time. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Must be able to drive a vehicle legally and safely in the state of Ohio. Must maintain compliance/certification with CCHO's requirements for using physical restraints (SCM: Safe Crisis Management), including sufficient strength and completion of extensive training. Physical ability to respond to crisis, including, but not limited to running and performing physical restraints.

CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT (CQI)

All Agency staff are expected to focus on Quality improvement as a part of their job responsibilities, in an effort to make the Agency a safe and healing environment for clients and staff. This expectation includes, but is not limited to teamwork, improving service delivery, fulfilling department goals, and other job‑specific tasks that encourage excellence.

BACKGROUND & SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

This position is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of background checks, drug test, reference checks, Department of Justice National sex offender search, Ohio and other state searches as required by licensing agency.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Candidates for most jobs must be 21 or older to apply. References, background checks, and drug screenings will be completed on all potential candidates. Direct care positions will require a pre‑employment physical as required by licensing agency. Must be able to commute reliably for all on‑site positions. Some roles require a valid Ohio driver’s license and an insurable driving record. EOE. #J-18808-Ljbffr Christian Children's Home of Ohio