Therapist - Child First

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SERVICE AREA : Community Mental Health

PROGRAM : Child First

JOB OVERVIEW :

The Child First Therapist serves as the primary therapist for children and families participating in the program. The Therapist functions as the team leader, providing and coordinating community-based mental health services along with the Family Resource Coordinator.

RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Develop and implement systemically based interventions utilizing the Child First Clinical Model, cognitive-behavioral therapy, behavior modification, psychoeducation, and other evidence-based approaches.
• Provide family and individual treatment to the families on caseload in accordance with the Child First model, agency policy, and good practice standards.
• Work with the Family Resource Coordinator to collaborate with teams impacting the family ( family court, child welfare, educational systems, other mental / behavioral health providers, etc.).
• Provide services in client homes / environments during non-traditional hours according to the needs and schedules of the families on the caseload, including evenings and weekends if necessary.
• Conduct initial and ongoing assessment of the client and family, including review of referral information.
• Identify and engage key participants while identifying systemic strengths and needs.
• Complete functional analyses of targeted problems within the ecological context.
• Engage the primary caregiver and other key participants in active, change-oriented treatment by identifying and overcoming barriers to engagement and attainment of identified goals.
• Develop and implement initial and ongoing treatment plans. Focus on utilizing strengths and reviewing outcomes regularly using an analytic process.
• Maintain clear and concise documentation of treatment interventions and case development in accordance with reporting and documentation regulations and agency policies.
• Collaborate with all relevant systems and key participants within each system to ensure their buy-in and cooperation throughout treatment.
• Provide direct clinical treatment using methods compatible with program principles and practices.
• Participate in all supervision, training, and consultation activities as directed.
• Provide crisis interventions and stabilization 24 / 7 to the clients / families on the caseload.
• Complete all program paperwork to agency standards and submit within determined time frames.
• Achieve a level of productivity (service hours) within the established range set by the program director.
• Adhere to a professional code of ethics and follow existing federal and state guidelines and laws pertaining to mandated reporting procedures.
• Attend all mandatory trainings.
• Complete in-office hours as required to attend weekly group and individual supervision, as well as other scheduled meetings and appointments.
• Ensure compliance with all policies and procedures including confidentiality and reporting suspected child abuse.
• Participate in training / supervision programs as part of the agency's professional development initiative.
• Provide direct case management services in collaboration with, or in the absence of, the Care Coordinator.

Partnerships and Collaborative Relationships :

• Establish and maintain effective and productive working relationships with provider organizations, regulatory and licensing representatives, and referral sources while promoting PHMC.
• Represent the organization before various stakeholder groups to maintain visibility.
• Manage regulatory and accreditation contracts.
• Serve on, participate in, and attend various committee meetings.

Contributing to the Team :

Participate in regular meetings with staff to ensure priorities are clear, coordination is good, and communication is open.

Develop additional methods for ongoing effective communication.

• Cooperate and communicate as a multi-discipline staff team member through formal meetings, informal consultations, and committee participation.
• Model traits of a responsible team member by executing job responsibilities, open communication, and good follow-through.

Support team members to do the same.

Respond promptly to the concerns and interests of the clients, parents, guardians, funding entities, and other PHMC staff.

Trauma-Informed Behavior :

• Demonstrate commitment to being trauma-informed and maintaining a therapeutic environment and community that promotes safety and nonviolence as the basis for all we do with clients and staff.
• Demonstrate knowledge and utilization of trauma-informed practices including emotional intelligence, effective communication, understanding of the impact of trauma on development, strengths-based and person-centered practice, resilience focus, and commitment to growth and change.

Administrative Activities :

• Ensure compliance with all of PHMC’s policies and procedures, including confidentiality and acting as a mandated reporter in accordance with the law, policies, and procedures.
• Implement all documentation requirements and ensure that reports are complete, thorough, timely, and written in the prescribed format.

Ensure staff members do the same.

Other duties as assigned

SKILLS :

• Ability to utilize a collaborative, team-oriented approach
• Knowledge and understanding of CASSP Principles
• Social / ecological theory and application
• Family systems theory and application
• Cognitive-behavioral theory and clinical application
• Understanding of early child and family development
• Crisis intervention and management
• Knowledge of DSM-V
• Basic knowledge / understanding of common psychotropic medications
• Comfortable with computers and experienced in Microsoft Office applications, especially Word and Excel
• Open to learning, has capacity for self-reflection, and eager to participate in reflective clinical supervision
• Knowledge of relationship-based, psychodynamic intervention and early child development; parent-child relationships and attachment theory;
• effects of trauma and environmental risks on early childhood brain development, especially violence exposure, maternal depression, and substance abuse;

and community-level risk factors ( poverty, homelessness, etc.).

• Highly organized, self-motivated, reliable, and flexible (including willingness to work non-traditional hours, including at least one evening per week)
• Able to work as part of a team
• Able to communicate well verbally and in writing

ROLE REQUIREMENTS : Experience :

Experience :

• 2-3 years of experience working psychotherapeutically with culturally diverse children and families, including parent-child therapeutic work and play therapy with very young children (0-5 years)
• Experience providing mental health assessment and consultation to early care and education sites
• Knowledge and experience working with adults with mental health, substance use, and cognitive challenges
• Experience providing intervention within diverse home and community settings

Education : Master's degree in a related field such as social work, psychology, counseling, marriage and family therapy, etc.

Other :

• Must have a clinical license or be license-eligible ( LPC, LMFT, LCSW, psychologist, etc.)
• Valid driver’s license, access to reliable vehicle with current registration, and evidence of current auto insurance

SALARY GRADE : 18

PHMC is an Equal Opportunity and E-Verify Employer.