PURPOSE OF POSITION: To provide therapeutic interventions within the milieu, including individual, family and group therapy, to support and implement the policy and philosophy of the program and the Agency, and to work collaboratively with other departments.
Schedule: Monday – Friday 2 days 9am-5pm and 3 days 1pm-9pm. May include a weekend or Monday-Friday with two 9am-530pm days, and 3 later shifts usually 1230pm-9pm. Weekend coverage and attending Mercy events may be required as needed.
ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:
· Master’s Degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or a related clinical field.
· Clinical experience working with youth who have experienced trauma and/or adverse experiences, preferably in a residential clinical setting.
· Is open and respectful of cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and is willing and competent to work with a diverse client population.
· Ability to work a minimum of three nights per week, until at least 9:00 p.m.
· Possess a valid Illinois driver’s license with the ability to safely drive a van, maintain a clear driving record, and obtain/retain driving approval through the Department of Children and Family Services.
· Regular and predictable attendance.
· Ability to work as a team member on an administrative and interdisciplinary level, and work within a team approach model.
· Ability to work both independently and as an active member of an interdisciplinary treatment team.
· Ability to maintain professional demeanor while exercising judgment and discretion in work.
· Ability to accept, adopt and implement feedback from supervisor and team.
· Effective interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
· Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
· Be able to read, analyze, and interpret professional periodicals, professional journals, or governmental regulations.
· Ability to write reports and treatment plans in a clear manner for multiple audiences.
· Possess an understanding of clinical concepts and terms with the ability to interpret for youth and families.
· Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel, as well as the ability to become proficient in other software programs.
· Ability to maintain confidentiality and privacy.
· Ability to attend required Agency trainings (including CPR/ First Aid and Crisis Prevention Institute Training) and maintain necessary training compliance. Flexibility to attend daytime trainings or sessions outside of regularly scheduled hours.
· Promote, support and role model the use of Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) theory and practice for all co-workers in de-escalating situations.
· Commitment to the mission, values, and goals of the Agency.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
· Be responsible for weekly individual therapy sessions for each youth in program.
· Conduct at least one weekly group session for youth, or more often based on program needs.
· Make diligent effort to engage parents/ guardians in youth’s treatment planning including family therapy (either weekly, monthly or quarterly as determined by need).
· Take lead in coordination with Manger/ Director on scheduling and facilitating quarterly Individual Treatment Plan reviews for each youth during team meeting.
· Make diligent effort to connect with parents, guardians, extended kinship networks and key stakeholders in a collaborative and respectful manner to develop a wraparound multi-disciplinary team that meets quarterly in Care Planning Meetings to review progress, goals, supports, strengths, creative plans and transition plans.
· Promote and support educational, employment, and treatment goals of the Youth.
· Complete assessments and assist in the admissions assessment process for youth who will be assigned to their program (or others as requested).
· Schedule and attend off-site meetings as needed and deemed appropriate. This included but is not limited to school visits, home visits (at least quarterly) and meetings in the community.
· Be responsible for timely and accurate communication and documents within Program, i.e. ITPs, transition summaries, log entries and therapy notes.
· Serve as Primary Medication Administrator for program which includes monitoring the daily dispensation process and quality of documentation.
· In consult with the agency nurse, schedule and attend all psychiatric appointments with the youth.
· Collaborate with agency nurse on pharmacy orders/shipments and setup and manage online medication records through the agency’s blueprint database system.
· Support the medical care coordination of the youth.
· Assist and support crisis management and the necessary safety plan follow-up. Take leadership role when youth may need to be hospitalized, including accompanying youth to the hospital or problem solving with program manager/ director to ensure other staff can.
· Be responsible for (or accessible to advise on) the use of de-escalation and behavior management techniques as outlined in CPI protocol.
· Employ all aspects of de-escalation and behavior management techniques as outlined in CPI protocol.
· Provide supervision of Youth in program and during off-site activities.
· Support and participate in agency and program events.
· Consistently engage in milieu routine and activities.
· Implement quarterly testing and share results with team.
· Actively participate in regular supervision with Manager, monthly clinical meetings as well as regular clinical supervision meetings with Clinical Director.
· Engage in care planning meetings and family meetings (i.e. review efficacy of treatment being provided and consistency with the Mercy Model).
· Provide safe transportation for youth and their support systems, following agency policy and state laws.
· Actively engage in learning and integrating developmentally appropriate, attachment-informed, and trauma-responsive theory and practice consistent with the Mercy Model of Care.
· Learn, align with, and execute the treatment philosophies, modalities and practices of the Agency, including adherence to ethical guidelines and professional boundaries.