Therapist - Child First

SERVICE AREA: Community Mental Health

PROGRAM: Child First

JOB OVERVIEW:

Child First Clinician serves as the primary therapist to children and families participating in the program. They function as the team leader and provide/coordinate 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 (i.e., 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 that are compatible with program principles and practices.
• Participate in all supervision, training, and consultation activities as directed.
• 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.

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 multidisciplinary staff team member through formal meetings, informal consultations, etc.
• 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 (e.g. 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:

• 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 (e.g., LPC, LMFT, LCSW, psychologist, etc.)
• Valid driver's license, access to a reliable vehicle with current registration, and evidence of current auto insurance

SALARY GRADE: 18

PHMC is an Equal Opportunity and E-Verify Employer.