Behavioral Health Therapist

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

·      Working with client and others to develop Individual Service Plan.

·       Conducting individual and group counseling sessions as provided in client Individual Service Plans.

·       Keeping records such as Progress Notes, Group Notes, Treatment Plans, Bio Psycho History, evaluations, etc.

·       Keeping Client Case Records current according to the established DOH, OAS, DOH guidelines.

·       Working with client and others to develop aftercare plan.

·       Facilitating or participating in case consultations, and special events, such as seminars, trips, lectures, etc.

·       Administering medications as required.

·       Responding to grievances submitted by clients.

·       Must be available for weekend duty and/or evening duty, as required.

·       Responsibility for full client case load and accountability procedures that require verification of interventions.

·       Attending all staff meetings.

·       Completing required annual in-service training.

·       May moderate special groups such as family meetings, workshops or presentations.

Qualifications

A Therapist shall have the following:

·       A Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in social work, psychology, human development and family studies, counseling psychology, pastoral counseling or other clinical mental health  discipline which includes a practicum in a health or human service agency, preferably in a drug and alcohol setting.

·       A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, which meets the requirements of the above specialty areas plus one year (1820 hours) of clinical experience in a health and human services agency.

·       Therapists are required to maintain licenses in good standing, if applicable. Persons in this position are required to maintain licenses in good standing, if applicable.  All candidates must pass a Child Abuse Clearance and Pennsylvania Criminal Record search, plus an FBI criminal history clearance if resident outside Pennsylvania.  All staff will be required to participate in prescribed annual training.

It is expected that therapists will have competencies in the following areas upon hire:

1.     Developing rapport and active listening

2.     Clinical interviewing and assessment skills

3.     Cognitive behavioral and other models of therapy

4.     Forming therapeutic alliance with adolescents and their families

5.     Development of Resilience and strengths based individualized service plans

6.     Group facilitation skills

7.     Facilitation of meetings with families

8.     Conducting psycho-educational workshops for parents

9.     Use of clinical supervision and consultation

Orientation to job specific safety content:

1.     De-escalation of violence and aggression.  Therapeutic holds, suicide risk assessment and prevention, crisis intervention,

2.     CPR, first aid, Universal precautions regarding Infection control and blood and airborne pathogens

3.     Fire safety

Orientation and ongoing training to job specific therapeutic competencies:

1.     Motivational Interviewing

2.     Mode Deactivation Therapy

3.     Aggression Replacement Therapy

4.     Coping And Support Training (CAST) Program

5.     Parent Management Training

6.     Trauma Focused CBT

7.     Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care and other evidence based models