Therapist I - Juvenile Justice Treatment (DCYC)

At Heartland Family Service, we are committed to building a culture that is trauma informed and values and celebrates diversity and inclusion. We believe this allows for better service delivery and innovation, as it encourages our employees to bring various experiences and uniqueness to the workplace. 

Trauma Informed Care is an approach to engaging people with histories of trauma that recognizes the presence of trauma symptoms and acknowledges the role that trauma has played in their lives.  Trauma Informed Care also acknowledges the effects of working with trauma survivors on our workforce, and seeks to build collaborative and supportive working environments and relationships. 

If you believe in our mission of creating healthy families and communities, and like a fast pace, collaborative and team oriented environment, then Heartland Family Service is the agency for you.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF WORK

Heartland Family Service provides a continuum of care for at-risk youth. We understand the importance of building rapport with this population and it is more likely that youth will participate in ongoing treatment if they have a positive working relationship with their therapist. Our agency offers continued mental health treatment by the same therapist despite level of care when deemed appropriate by the therapist, Clinical Supervisor, youth and youth’s family. The levels of care would include detention-based and shelter crisis intervention/stabilization, mental health and substance use outpatient services and in-home therapy.

Professionals at this level are experienced and able to work with a minimum amount of supervision. On-site clinical supervision will be provided at both locations. High production standards are especially required at this level. The therapist assigned to this program is expected to have a moderate level of skill in adolescent assessment, treatment and therapeutic family interventions, and to be familiar with evidence based practices as appropriate to this population.

The therapist may be assigned to tasks such as the following, depending on program needs: crisis availability for their location, documentation review and compliance, clinical program change projects, monitoring of program fidelity, QI reports, or other tasks.  Assignments may entail a wide knowledge base, decision-making, problem solving and the ability to be flexible with scheduling. The ability to work with a wide range of employees and clients is necessary for this position. The therapist must be   detail oriented, organized and able to meet deadlines. Organized, constructive, and team oriented problem solving ability is critical.

Work Schedule: to include day hours as well as evenings and weekends.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

• *Works with Mental Health (MH) team staff at Douglas County Youth Center (DCYC) to provide therapeutic services, optimizing accessibility to mental health services for youth.
• *Conducts a comprehensive intake assessment when appropriate.
• *Conducts individual suicide assessments and reassessments as necessary, provides subsequent recommendations to MH team members and DCYC staff.
• *Determines whether client needs mental health, substance abuse, and/or family therapy; determines needed level of care; refers to appropriate level of care.
• *Provides services including coping skills training, problem solving and stress management education through individual, group and family consultation.
• *Provides counseling to individuals and families in group or individual settings, monitors progress.
• *Handles cases involving adolescent and family issues of increasing complexity.
• *Provides consultation and training to DCYC staff including training, education on indicators to assist in early recognition of problem areas, assistance to staff in implementing transition plans for youth.
• *Assists MH team in monitoring and managing DCYC environment to maximize safety and prevent crisis situations.
• *Provides mental health crisis intervention as needed.
• *Refers to other Heartland Family Service programs and other community services, as necessary upon discharge; follows up with Case Manager to complete referral.
• *Is dependable and punctual regarding scheduling and attendance.
• *Meets clinical requirements of third party payers (authorizations, reviews, documentation) and provides information necessary for prompt and accurate billing.
• *Maintains relationships with referral sources.
• *Coordinates care when provided by multiple practitioners.
• *Completes all case documentation for clinical and billing purposes.
• *Maintains clinical record, meeting established standards of timeliness and completeness.
• *Is prompt and accurate in completing all required reports, statistics and other requirements.
• Displays a courteous and caring attitude at all times to the clientele, volunteers, and visitors of the Agency and DCYC.
• *Maintain an advanced clinical practice, meeting assigned productivity standard and meeting relevant documentation timelines in their own work.
• Provide back up/crisis availability in assigned location.
• *As designated, review evaluations and other clinical documentation to ensure appropriateness and training progression.
• *Data collector for agency evaluation
• Creates, maintains and shares as appropriate a dynamic self-care plan.
• * Strives to make connections between the agency and the larger community whenever possible in order to contribute to the agency’s ongoing fundraising and friend-raising efforts.
• * Essential functions of this job is to be performed on company physical work site
• Cooperate and collaborate with program area staff, volunteers, and other Agency staff.
• Abide by all specific program and Agency procedures, policies and requirements.
• Develop personal and program related skills through participation in internal and external training opportunities including printed material and audio and/or visual media.
• *Creates, maintains and shares as appropriate a dynamic self-care plan.
• * Strives to make connections between the agency and the larger community whenever possible in order to contribute to the agency’s ongoing fundraising and friend-raising efforts.
• * Essential functions of this job is to be performed on company physical work site
• Perform other program related duties as assigned.

                                                                                                     *DENOTES ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s Degree in Counseling or Social Work
• Three years or more experience with Child Welfare Services or Juvenile Services preferred
• LMHP preferred but PLMHP considered; LADC preferred but PLADC considered
• Valid drivers license/ acceptable driving record

COMPETENCIES

Non-Judgmental

Self-care- Practices good self-care; maintains effective emotional regulation and manages stress.

Integrity-An authentic and honest therapist plays a key role in the client’s recovery. Often, a therapist will inadvertently become a role model for the client. That means the therapist should conduct their personal and professional lives with honesty and integrity.

Critical thinking- A therapist needs to have the ability to see beyond the surface of the clients issues.

Continuous learning- stay updated on the latest research and treatment plans to help clients in the best way possible.

Organization and Time-Management Strategies-Responsible for keeping track of paperwork, fees for clients.

Active listening

Communication -Exhibits clear and concise verbal and written communications; communicates honestly and directly.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITY SPECIFICATIONS

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

(The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions).

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

(Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions).        

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is not exposed to weather conditions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.