Mental Health Therapist

Mental Health Therapist

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology or related field required; three to five years of experience working in mental health or counseling, conducting assessments and providing individual, family and group therapy with children/adolescents preferred.
• Licensed professional and experience with Managed Care Organizations preferred.
• Competency in Applied Behavior Analysis preferred.
• Ability to travel 1-2 days a week on average and possess reliable transportation.
• Successful completion of all required background checks, physical (as required by the PA Department of Education), TB test, professional/personal reference checks and any applicable pre- employment requirements of the position.

OBJECTIVE: To provide appropriate individual/family and group therapeutic intervention for assigned children/adolescents in conjunction with a special education program.

Essential Functions

Therapeutic Interventions

1. Functions as team leader in planning, prioritizing, developing, delivering and evaluating treatment interventions for all children/adolescents assigned to caseload, with input from the multidisciplinary treatment team. As such, oversees and is responsible for all aspects of clinical care for patients.

2. Functions as an individual therapist and/or family therapist for assigned caseload of children/adolescents and consults with supervisors/psychiatrists to develop appropriate goals and treatment methods.

3. Conducts initial child/adolescent/family psychiatric assessment for new children/adolescents/families as assigned for presentation to the attending psychiatrist and assigned team members.

4. Conducts psychosocial assessment update of children/adolescents/families at regular intervals as assigned for presentation to the attending psychiatrist and team members.

5. Facilitates treatment conferences and SELF case presentations for new and/or designated child/adolescents, as assigned.

6. Supports children/adolescents’ efforts in achieving their treatment goals utilizing trauma informed, best practice interventions.

7. Provides therapeutic intervention to children/families as assigned and as indicated in the child/adolescents’ Enhanced School-Based Partial Treatment Plan.

8. Leads and co-leads various treatment groups, including clinically-indicated treatment groups, Parent Education/Support Group, social skill training groups, and related activities, as assigned.

9. Utilizes relevant structured clinical assessment tools at appropriate intervals for purposes of progress monitoring of treatment outcome for patients as assigned.

10. Demonstrates proficiency with the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

11. Demonstrates a working knowledge of evidence-based, best practice treatment for children and adolescents.

12. Demonstrates a working knowledge of principles of Applied Behavior Analysis in a clinical/classroom setting.

13. Maintains appropriate and professional therapeutic relationships with child/adolescents and their families.

Clinical Leadership

1. Supervises the Behavior Management Coordinators, in their roles as members of the classroom cooperative team, to ensure that treatment is delivered as required by the treatment plan.

2. Supports the Behavior Management Coordinators to effectively use information gained through assessment and data collection procedures to evaluate the effectiveness of behavioral/therapeutic interventions and to modify and/or adapt those interventions as indicated.

3. Identifies the Behavior Management Coordinator’s skill deficits and provides training, coaching and supervision to ensure proper delivery of the treatment interventions and documentation of treatment.

4. In conjunction with Clinical Director, conducts goal setting and clinical supervision for Behavior Management Coordinators and provides direct input for introductory period reviews and annual performance evaluation according to established procedures and timelines as detailed in the Performance Evaluation policy and procedures of Pace.

Crisis Prevention/Intervention

1. Performs high risk assessments according to Pace guidelines and as requested/required.

2. Understands and implements Pace policy and procedure regarding clinical emergencies and mandated reporting requirements.

3. Utilizes relevant structured clinical assessment tools to conduct crisis and safety assessments as directed.

4. Ensures optimal continuity of care by serving as patients’ advocate and liaison during the referral and evaluation phase of psychiatric hospitalization by accompanying patients to emergency psychiatric facilities.

5. Collaborates and consults with the psychiatrist and classroom team in regard to clinical emergencies and follow-up with families, hospitals or other outside agencies.

6. Conducts and/or participates in behavioral assessments for patients as directed. This may include structured or unstructured classroom/milieu observations, completion of rating scales, and/or collaboration with treatment team for other observations/assessments such as interviews.

7. Maintains certification in the Physical Crisis Management System and consistently applies knowledge of crisis intervention such as verbal de-escalation techniques, non-confrontational limit setting

8. Utilizes physical restraint/management techniques and procedures, in accordance with Pace policies, only as a last resort intervention to keep a child/adolescent safe from harming him/herself or others.

9. Implements the behavioral management program set forth by Pace procedures and adapts to meet the needs of children in the milieu.

10. Perform and/or assist on an as needed basis, to the students’ physical needs, and personal hygiene needs (e. g., diapering, toileting, grooming, feeding, etc.), following safety standards. Additionally, follow proper procedures in handling and disposing of body fluids.

11. Trains and oversees staff in recommended crisis management protocols.

12. Assess and monitor patients who engage in high risk behaviors. This includes communicating risk assessment results and recommendations to Pace staff, parents, and relevant external agencies for which we have consent.

13. Accompanies patients for inpatient hospitalizations.

14. Conducts “on-call” responsibilities as scheduled.

Case Management/Collaboration

1. Collaborates and consults with the Psychiatrist and the treatment team to design and implement a therapeutic program for children/adolescents including individual therapy, group therapy, family intervention/therapy, as well as behavioral strategies and interventions.

2. Leads treatment team meetings, as well as intensive treatment planning meetings in order to develop diagnostic and treatment plans developed for child/adolescent and family care. Recommends and oversees modifications in all settings.

3. Serves as child/adolescent’s advocate and liaison during hospitalization and with school, community agencies, and other external organizations with which child/adolescents and their families' may be involved.

4. Arranges appropriate follow-up services for child/adolescents completing or leaving the program. Communicates referral information in a timely and professional manner.

5. Establishes and maintains contact with parents of assigned child/adolescents to communicate treatment recommendations, facilitate consistency, and monitor progress w/ families and other service providers.

6. Establishes and maintains regular contact with other community agencies to monitor child/adolescents’ behavior outside the program and to develop collaborative and complementary approaches to providing services.

Documentation

1. Maintains clinical records for patients assigned to his/her caseload, that meet the accuracy and timeline requirements of the Department of Public Welfare and Pace, not limited to the following:

a. Psychosocial/psychiatric evaluations (as assigned)

b. Clinical contacts (i. e. individual, group, family, phone, and written correspondence)

c. Crisis plans (i. e. ICMP’s and home crisis plans)

d. Safety plans

e. Treatment plans and treatment reviews

f. Discharge and yearly summaries

2. Provides oversight for the completion of the daily progress notes.

3. Completes and submits documentation of authorization of services, referrals, and unusual incidents.

4. Oversees and updates documentation related to parent contact information, changes in custody/care relationships, legal status, and consent to treat and release information.

Professional Responsibilities

1. Maintains familiarity with Pace policies and procedures, and complies with established employment procedures (i. e., use of sick leave, dress code, use of personal cell phone, Internet and email acceptable user policies).

2. Implements and adheres to all established policies and procedures, not limited to the Pace policies and procedures, clinical manuals, procedural manuals and the Emergency Response Plan.

3. Identifies clinical issues of significance and appropriately addresses these issues in supervision.

4. Serves as an appropriate role model to children/adolescents and families by remaining calm and objective through the execution of all duties.

5. Attends team meetings, scheduled meetings of the Mental Health Therapists or other forums that serve to facilitate communication and collaboration, and IEP meetings as directed.

6. Participates in work groups and committees involving policy development, quality improvement, or enhancement of services.

7. Interacts with others in a professional manner that demonstrates understanding of trauma- informed care.

8. Participates in continuing education activities as required by licensure or program needs.

9. Meets with supervisor routinely for supervision.

10. Participates in professional development goal setting and annual summative evaluation with supervisor according to established procedures and timelines.

11. Con