Therapist- Children Focused

DEFINITION:

Mental health Therapist who will work with children between the ages of 4 -18 at a school site providing clinical services relating to intake, screening, referral, and psychotherapy. The therapist will provide evidence-based treatment to children and their families who may have significant behavioral and emotional issues and who may be living in high-stress environments. Attend and regularly collaborate with teachers and Treatment Team meetings. This position may also be assigned to provide services to children and/or adults in the office-based program for family strengthening. This position will represent GRAND to the school systems in the utmost professional manner.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position is responsible and held accountable for the following duties:

• Must meet Agency standards of billable services and fiscal responsibility as designated by the Administrator.
• Case evaluation and assessment, individual and group counseling, and case management/

Rehabilitative services as needed.

• Interviews clients on the initial visit or referral to school and obtain identifying information and information relevant to client complaint and makes appropriate referral or assignment to appropriate clinical services.
• Responds to emergency calls from clients, provide crisis intervention, counseling, and supportive counseling for referral to appropriate agency or therapist based on client needs.
• Provides the initial diagnostic impression and initial treatment planning.
• Participates in diagnostic and evaluative staff meetings to discuss the diagnosis, etiology, treatment, and disposition of patients.
• Ensures that appropriate documentation and clinical records are maintained.
• Attends PI Meeting when necessary.
• Provides psychological counseling and therapy to individuals, groups and families experiencing behavioral, emotional, chemical dependency, and adjustment difficulty and case management services as needed.
• Completes all Agency documentation of services in a thorough, accurate and timely manner.
• Participates in staff conferences designed to review social, medical, and psychological data for use in the placement, care and treatment of clients.
• Must maintain licensure requirements.
• Regular and predictable attendance is an essential job requirement.
• Performs other reasonably related duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor or other management as requested.
• Participates in staff meetings.
• Must meet “satisfactory” expectations at any scheduled job performance evaluation.  Quality of work will be evaluated through training, skill, or special purpose.  Must be competent and adequate.

Must perform the specific job duties as listed above to meet position expectations.

In addition, must possess skill in working cooperatively and effectively with clients, staff, management and other professional groups; in exercising mature judgment in dealing with people; in presenting ideas clearly and accurately; in reading and comprehending the English language; and in communicating effectively, both orally and in writing.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Masters degree in a behavioral social science field and actively and regularly receiving board-approved supervision and extended supervision by a fully licensed clinician if the board’s supervision requirement is met but the individual is not yet licensed, to become licensed by one of the licensing boards listed in (A) through (F) below.  The exemptions from licensure under 59 §1353 (4) (Supp. 2000) and (5), 59 §1903 (C) and (D) (Supp. 2000), 59 §1925.3 (B) (Supp. 2000) and (C), and 59 §1932 (C) (Supp. 2000) and (D) do not apply to Outpatient Behavioral Health Services.

1. 1. Psychology,
   2. Social Work (clinical specialty only),
   3. Professional Counselor,
   4. Marriage and Family Therapist,
   5. Behavioral Practitioner, or
   6. Alcohol and Drug Counselor

Certified Behavioral Health Case Management is recommended.

An expectation of core competencies in relation to individuals with co-occurring disorders.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

Knowledge of the principles and tests, the application of psychological theories with respect to group and individual behavior; of mental illness, its symptoms, treatment, and social implications in relation to patients and family.

Skill in diagnosing and developing treatment plans; evaluating a wide variety of clinical data; carrying out courses of treatment; counseling and guiding individuals; and in communicating clearly, both orally and in writing.

Knowledge of counseling and psychotherapy techniques for individuals, families, and groups.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of social work and/or psychology and of current social and economic problems.

Knowledge of case management, counseling, and psychotherapy techniques for individuals, families, and groups.

Knowledge of personality development and structure.

Knowledge of diagnostic formulations – current categories and psychotropic medication.

Knowledge of ability to interpret appropriate psychological testing reports.

Knowledge of general age groups and other special populations.

Skill to adapt to a variety of settings.