UPMC logo
UPMC
McKeesport, Pennsylvania

Behavioral Health Therapist I (Foster Care)

CounselorIncludes callNo weekendsFull-Time

Compensation

Pay not listed

The week · per this posting · Monday – Friday

Ask the employer about the pay range, the work setting, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 1h ago · Verified live

Job Description

Every child deserves a safe place to heal, grow, and feel supported. When families face difficult circumstances, foster care provides children with the stability and nurturing environment they need while working toward reunification or another permanent home. In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to support foster children and families during some of life’s most challenging moments and make a lasting difference.

As a Behavioral Health Therapist I, you will support both traditional and non-traditional foster care programs, partnering with children, families, foster caregivers, and community resources to promote stability, well-being, and positive treatment outcomes.

This highly collaborative role involves extensive community-based work and travel, as you coordinate care with county agencies, schools, healthcare providers, and other service partners to ensure comprehensive, family-centered support.

You'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families while delivering high-quality behavioral health services in a dynamic and rewarding environment.

Candidates with a passion for working with children and families are strongly encouraged to apply, and prior foster care experience is a plus.

At UPMC we’re proud to offer a supportive and nurturing work environment where your professional growth is a top priority. To further invest in your future, we are excited to offer a sign-on bonus of $7,000! If you’re passionate about making a real, tangible difference in the lives of those in our community, we warmly invite you to apply today!

Key Information

Schedule: M-F, primarily daylight. Will require flexibility to work evenings/overnights and on call as needed. Schedule would be adjusted for evening/overnight work.

Location: 500 Walnut Street, 15132 & 132 South Main St., Greensburg 15601 however, you will primarily be out in the field. This position requires very frequent travel.

  • Dress Code: Business Casual
  • Parking: Parking options employee paid.
  • Agency vehicles are utilized for field travel.

Responsibilities

Conduct patient assessments, develop individualized treatment plans, and adjust care based on evolving clinical needs.

Provide individual and group therapy, engage families when appropriate, adn educate patients on recovery and wellness.

Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to review cases, monitor progress, coordinate referrals, and ensure continuity of care.

Complete timely clinical documentation, maintain productivity records, and secure authorizations for services as needed.

Participate in treatment team meetings, quality improvement initiatives, and ongoing clinical case reviews under supervision.

Master's Degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Education in school counseling, or related field required. (Successfully completed the educational requirements as defined in practicing state's code)

  • One year of clinical experience preferred.
  • Knowledge of psychiatric evaluation and assessment process, as well as application of current version of the DSM preferred.
  • Experience in diagnosing and treating behavioral and psychiatric conditions preferred.

ATTENTION: A COPY OF YOUR GRADUATE LEVEL TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE ATTACHED WITH YOUR APPLICATION IN ORDER TO MOVE FORWARD IN THE CONSIDERATION PROCESS.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances

Passed the examination required by 49.11. relating to licensure examination. Must sign a license agreement and be actively working to obtain the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Social Work (LCSW), or Licensed Family Marriage Therapist (LMFT) within 30 months of hire.

Per regulations, this position requires 3 personal or professional references completed, and Act 34, 33, 73, and MD Eval need to be completed within 6 months prior to hire date. Should only be an issue if a transfer as these items would be completed during onboarding for all new hires.

  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
  • Comprehensive Crisis Management (CCMC)
  • Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting with renewal
  • Act 33 with renewal
  • Act 34 with renewal
  • Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran

Requirements

Candidates must hold a Master's degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, or a related field and be actively working toward professional licensure. One year of clinical experience is preferred, along with proficiency in psychiatric assessment and the DSM.

Qualifications

Education
Master's degree (postgraduate degree)

Key Skills

Behavioral health therapyFoster care supportPatient assessmentTreatment planningIndividual therapyCase managementMultidisciplinary collaborationDSM application

Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 26% are remote, 18% have no call, 76% require no weekends.

Mental Health Therapy pay on WeekdayDoc is up 4.1% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

The cost-of-living index for Pennsylvania is 97.6 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 61.7% of Pennsylvania clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Counselor Jobs

48 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution48 jobs · 40 employers

19
<$65k
12
$65k-80k
9
$80k-95k
8
$95k-110k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks39 jobs

401k / retirement match
100%
CME allowance
44%
Sign-on bonus
38% this job
Loan repayment
18%
PSLF eligible
13% this job

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Licensed Therapist (LCSW, LMHC, LMFT)

LifeStance Health · South Bend, Indiana

$84k-$107k
#2

Couples/Family Therapist (LMFT)

LifeStance Health · Mishawaka, Indiana

$84k-$107k
#3

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

$79k-$105k
#4

Licensed Professional Counselor-Candidate

$50/hr
+ 46 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.2this job 3.9
Better work-life than 30% of Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 7,911 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • No weekends
  • On-site
  • Includes call

Living in McKeesport

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$112k
Typical market rent
$968/mo
Residents’ average commute
27 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
94.7
State income tax
Up to 3.1%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Pittsburgh, PA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

UPMC logo

About UPMC

Hospitals and Health Care
Pittsburgh, PA
10,000+ employees

Benefits & Perks

$7,000 Sign-On Bonus
PSLF Eligible Employer