Position Function:
To support and serve clients and their families by providing and coordinating quality therapeutic services, case management, crisis management, transition planning, and supportive aftercare services. The Therapist conducts comprehensive assessments and actively collaborates with the treatment team and program staff to develop quality assessments, service plans, safety plans, behavior management plans, group and individual counseling, family counseling, and provide therapeutic services that stabilize behavior, promote healing, and support a timely transition to permanence. The job requires sensitivity to the service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
Requirements:
Education: A Master’s degree with course work in the behavioral sciences or education. Must have and maintain appropriate licensure of LPC, LMFT, or LCSW.
Experience: Three years of treatment services in a foster care, residential treatment, or behavioral health setting. Previous experience providing therapy in a residential environment preferred.
Functional:
- Provide ongoing assessment, service planning, counseling, case management, transition planning, and aftercare services for assigned clients.
- Maintain accurate and timely documentation of services and submit required reports and statistical data according to associated deadlines.
- Follow ACH policies and procedures and represent the agency in a positive and professional manner.
- Coordinate collaboration among referral agencies, family members, and other support systems to meet client needs.
Additional Functional Requirements:
- Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate with diverse clients, families, collaborating agencies, outside professionals, and ACH Child and Family Services staff.
- Demonstrate good judgment and the ability to work independently.
- Demonstrate commitment to continued learning through supervision, continuing education, and experience.
- Ability to recognize differences in sound and distinguish between playful and aggressive interactions.
- Ability to differentiate tones and volumes in conversations.
- Handle a high degree of emotional stress related to client issues.
- Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to prepare and submit quality documentation in a timely manner without errors.
- Maintain strong organizational and time management skills.
- Possess a valid Texas driver’s license and maintain a driving record within insurance guidelines.
- Must not have been convicted of a felony or criminal offense against a child.
- Must be able to work a flexible schedule and provide on-call coverage for the Youth Emergency Shelter as scheduled.
- Demonstrate critical thinking, problem-solving, and sound decision-making skills.
Working Conditions:
Exposure to children with behavior problems, including possible physical aggression. Exposure to illness and blood. Some travel may be required to support program activities or attend training. Residential programs operate 24/7. This position provides emergency crisis intervention and on-call clinical services when needed. Reliable transportation is required.
Exposure to Confidential Information:
The Therapist will have access to confidential records including client files and parent information. Must maintain confidentiality and follow policies related to personnel and client records.
Key Expectations/Responsibilities:
Programming:
- Manage admissions through screening and assessment of referrals, facilitation of placement, and completion of intake and admission documentation within required timeframes.
- Provide ongoing counseling and skills training to assigned clients and families.
- Facilitate the creation of collaborative service plans for assigned clients.
- Document and assess client progress and maintain accurate, up-to-date records, including documentation of incidents, behavioral concerns, and treatment progress in accordance with agency and licensing standards.
- Implement group programming to address social and emotional needs related to achievement of individual goals.
- Provide case management services and coordinate with TDFPS caseworkers, families, community resources, and support systems.
- Develop discharge and aftercare plans and facilitate follow-up referrals.
- Provide supportive aftercare services to assigned clients and families.
- Provide crisis intervention and stabilization services to clients experiencing psychological distress.
- Provide regular updates on client progress and treatment needs to the Clinical Manager, Program Manager, and treatment team members.
- Provide emergency crisis intervention and on-call clinical services as scheduled.
Community Relations:
- Coordinate collaborative relationships and services with referral agencies.
- Build and maintain positive working relationships with local human and youth service organizations.
- Represent ACH in a professional and positive manner.
Documentation & Reporting:
- Maintain up-to-date case records.
- Develop and document initial assessments and preliminary and initial plans of service.
- Provide regular case management services for assigned clients.
- Document case progress notes.
- Communicate and coordinate client needs with relevant stakeholders.
- Communicate goals and service plans with the direct care team.
- Assist in the development of program-related forms and measurement tools.
- Develop, review, and update service plans.
- Complete discharge and aftercare plans for each client.
Work Behaviors:
- Support and uphold ACH policies and procedures.
- Maintain positive morale and professionalism.
- Ensure quality services and professional standards are maintained.
- Maintain an attitude of client and family advocacy.
- Work collaboratively with co-workers to foster a productive and constructive environment.
- Utilize work time effectively to maximize productivity.
- Adapt to changing assignments and priorities as needed to support clients, families, and agency operations.
Other Duties Assigned:
- Facilitate and attend team staffing meetings.
- Attend designated agency and community meetings and trainings.
- Complete trainings and certifications required by licensing standards.
- Assist with activities of other agency programs as assigned.
- Assist with fundraising and other agency functions as needed.
- Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.
Core Competencies:
- Demonstrate professionalism, including reliable job performance and adherence to professional ethics.
- Implement programming using Positive Youth Development (PYD) principles and developmental practice methods focused on strengths, relationships, intervention planning, and health and safety.
- Demonstrate cultural competency and effectively serve individuals from diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, religious, gender, and sexual orientation backgrounds.
- Apply knowledge of human development, particularly for youth at risk and those with special needs.
- Build collaborative relationships and communicate effectively with clients and stakeholders.
- Implement Trauma-Informed Care practices and interventions within assigned programs.
#ACH1
The above noted job description is not intended to describe, in detail, the multitude of tasks that may be assigned but rather to give the employee a general sense of the responsibilities and expectations of his/her position. As the nature of business demands change so, too, may the essential functions of this position.
Education: A Master’s degree with course work in the behavioral sciences or education. Must have and maintain appropriate licensure of LPC, LMFT, or LCSW.
Experience: Three years of treatment services in a foster care, residential treatment, or behavioral health setting. Previous experience providing therapy in a residential environment preferred.