Therapist

Overview To support and serve clients and their families by providing and coordinating quality therapeutic services, case management, crisis management, transition planning and supportive aftercare services. The Therapist conducts comprehensive assessments and collaborates with the treatment team and program staff to develop quality assessments, service plans, safety plans, behavior management plans, group and individual counseling, family counseling, and provide therapeutic services that stabilize behavior, promote healing, and support a timely transition to permanence. The job requires sensitivity to the service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics. Qualifications Education: A Master’s degree with coursework in the behavioral sciences or education. Must have and maintain appropriate licensure of LPC, LMFT, or LCSW. Experience: Three years of treatment services in a foster care, residential treatment, or behavioral health setting. Previous experience providing therapy in a residential environment preferred. Functional Responsibilities Provide ongoing assessment, service planning, counseling, case management, transition planning and aftercare services for all assigned clients Maintain accurate and timely documentation of services and submit required reports and statistical data according to deadlines Follow policies and procedures of ACH and represent the agency in a positive and professional manner Coordinate collaboration of referral agencies, family members, and other support systems to meet the needs of clients Additional Functional Requirements Demonstrate strong people and interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate with diverse clients, families, collaborating agencies, outside professionals and ACH Child and Family Services staff for optimal services Demonstrate good judgment and the ability to work independently Demonstrate the ability to continue learning through supervision, continuing education, and experience Ability to recognize differences in sound and tones and to differentiate volumes in conversations Must be able to handle a high degree of emotional stress related to client issues Must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to prepare and submit quality documentation in a timely manner without errors Must have strong organizational and time management skills Must possess a valid Texas driver’s license and have a driving record within insurance guidelines Must not have been convicted of a felony or criminal offense against a child Must be able to work a flexible schedule and provide on-call coverage for the Youth Emergency Shelter as scheduled Must be able to think globally, solve problems, and make good decisions with critical thinking skills Working Conditions Exposure to children with behavior problems, including possible physical aggression; exposure to illness and blood. Some travel to support program activities or for training. Residential programs are in operation 24/7. This position provides emergency crisis intervention and on-call clinical services when needed. Must have reliable transportation. Exposure to confidential information: The Therapist will have access to confidential records including client files and parent information. Must maintain confidentiality and follow policies related to personnel and client records. Key Expectations / Responsibilities Programming: Manage admissions through screening and assessment of referrals, facilitation of placement and completion of intake and admission documentation within required timeframes Provide ongoing counseling and skills training to assigned clients and families Facilitate the creation of collaborative service plans for assigned clients Document and assess progress of each assigned client and maintain up-to-date client records that accurately reflect progress, including timely documentation of client incidents, behavior issues and concerns in accordance with agency and licensing standards Implement group programming to address the social and emotional needs of clients relating to achievement of individual goals Provide case management services; coordination with TDFPS caseworkers, families, community and mainstream support resources Develop discharge and aftercare plans and follow-up referrals Provide supportive aftercare services to clients and families as assigned Provide crisis intervention and stabilization to clients who are in psychological distress Provide regular updates to Clinical Manager, Program Manager and other treatment team members on client progress and treatment needs Provide emergency crisis intervention and on-call clinical services as scheduled Community Relations Coordinate collaborative relationships and services with referral agencies Build and maintain positive working relationships with local human and youth services agencies Represent ACH in a professional and positive manner Documentation and Reporting Maintain up-to-date case records Develop and document initial assessment, preliminary and initial plans of service Provide regular case management services for each assigned client Document case progress notes Coordinate needs for each client and communicate goals and service plans with the direct care team Assist in development of program-related forms and measurement tools Develop, review and update service plans Complete a discharge and aftercare plan for each client Work Behaviors Support and uphold the policies and procedures of ACH Maintain a positive morale Ensure that quality services are provided and professional standards maintained Maintain an attitude of client and family advocacy Work harmoniously with co-workers to foster a productive and constructive environment Ensure that work time is utilized effectively to maximize productivity Adapt to changing assignments and priorities as needed to support clients, families, and the agency Other Duties Assigned Facilitate and attend team staffing meetings Attend designated agency or community meetings or trainings Complete trainings and certifications as required by licensing standards Assist with other agency program activities as assigned Assist with fundraising or other agency functions as needed Other applicable duties as assigned by supervisor Core Competencies Professionalism: consistent and reliable job performance, ethics in practice Apply program with a positive youth development approach Cultural and human diversity Applied human development Relationship and communication Trauma-Informed Care #J-18808-Ljbffr ACH Child and Family Services