Mental Health Professional - Family Based Mental Health Services

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We will offer the vaccination at no cost via our Health Centers.

JOB OVERVIEW :

The Mental Health Professional (MHP) serves as the primary therapist to the children and families participating in the program.

The MHP functions as the team leader, providing and coordinating community-based mental health services along with the Mental Health Worker (MHW).

RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Develop and implement systemically based interventions utilizing structural family therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, behavior modification, psychoeducation, and other research-based approaches.
• Provide family and individual treatment to families on the caseload in accordance with FBMHS regulations, agency policies, and good practice standards.
• Work collaboratively with the MHW as well as other systems impacting the family (i.e. family court, child welfare, educational systems, mental / behavioral health providers, etc.).
• Provide services in the client’s home / environment during non-traditional hours according to the needs and schedules of families, 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 behaviors / 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 with a 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 clients / families on the caseload.
• Complete all program paperwork to agency standards and submit according to 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.
• Facilitate the use of Family Support Service Funds within program guidelines.
• Attend all mandatory trainings.
• Complete required in-office hours. Attend weekly group and individual supervision as well as other meetings or appointments as scheduled.
• 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.
• Adhere to the program’s Whatever It Takes philosophy.
• Step outside of primary role when necessary for the sake of advancing client progress and / or maintaining program integrity.
• Transport clients to and from appointments, meetings, tasks of daily living, etc.
• Provide direct case management services in collaboration with, or in the absence of, the MHW.

Partnerships and Collaborative Relationships :

• Establish and maintain relationships with provider organizations, regulatory and licensing representatives, and referral sources, establishing effective and productive working relationships 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 member through formal meetings, informal consultations, and committee participation.
• Model traits of a responsible team member. Execute job responsibilities, open communication, and good follow-through. Support team members to do the same.
• Respond promptly to the concerns and interests of clients, parents, guardians, funding entities, and other PHMC staff.

Trauma-Informed Behavior :

• Demonstrate a commitment to being trauma-informed. Maintain a therapeutic environment and community that promotes safety and nonviolence as the basis for all we do with clients and staff.
• Demonstrate knowledge of and utilize 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. Ensure that reports are complete, thorough, timely, and written in the prescribed format.

Ensure that team members do the same.

Complete 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
• Child and family development
• Crisis intervention and management
• DSM-IV TR
• Basic knowledge / understanding of common psychotropic medications
• Experience working with diverse populations
• Strong computer skills in all Microsoft Office applications

ROLE REQUIREMENTS :

• Must meet ONE of the following :
• Graduate degree in psychology, counseling, family therapy, social work, nursing, theology / pastoral counseling, or rehabilitation counseling AND 12+ gradute credit hours in therapy and / or counseling AND 2+ years of experience in child and adolescent mental health services
• Graduate degree in any other field of human services approved by the Office of Mental Health AND 12+ credit hours of education in therapy and / or counseling AND 3+ years of experience in child and adolescent mental health services
• Without a graduate degree : Certification in the department-sponsored Family Based Mental Health Services training program AND 4+ years of experience in Family Based Mental Health Services
• 2+ years of experience providing individual and family therapy in community settings
• Experience developing and implementing interventions across multiple systems / settings (i.e. family, peer, school, community, other providers, DHS, Juvenile Probation, etc.)
• Preferred : Licensure in Pennsylvania as a Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT), or Professional Counselor (LPC)
• Criminal background check, child abuse, FBI, and medical clearances, as well as any other required clearances
• Valid driver’s license, access to a reliable vehicle, current registration, and auto insurance

SALARY GRADE : 18

PHMC is an Equal Opportunity and E-Verify Employer.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Protected Veterans / Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.

However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)