Children’s Mental Health Therapist

• Pay range $47,500 to $65,000 DOE/DOQ
• Please do not apply if you are not relocating to Port Angeles, Washington State.

JOB PURPOSE: Provides assessments and strength-based treatment services to high need children, adolescents, and families, on-site and in the community. Signing bonus offered!

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides on-site therapeutic services, based on strength-based, individualized values, and principles.
• Provides community support services to children and families as needed.
• Provides intake assessments, including psychosocial and developmental histories, and diagnostic formulations.
• Develops individualized treatment plans, based on assessment of strengths and needs in life domains, with active participation of youth and family.
• Provides individual, group, and family treatment, including home-based family preservation services, if needed, along with timely crisis intervention services.
• Provides case management and case coordination services within Agency and with other child systems.
• Facilitates Individual/Family Support Team meetings.

SECONDARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Participates in peer reviews to ensure that services are provided in compliance with State, SBHO, and other contractual arrangements.
• Participates in case reviews, staff meetings, and individual supervision as requested by Supervisor.
• Maintains cordial and effective working relationships with community and governmental agencies, other professionals, consumers, and their families.
• Maintains practice of consistently high standards of professional conduct in the performance of assigned duties and in interactions with clients, staff, and other community professionals.
• Maintains timely and accurate chart information, in compliance with Washington State Law and Agency’s Quality Assurance guidelines.
• Maintains confidentiality of Agency and client information.
• Maintains professional competencies through a program of professional development and in-services training.
• Provides information and education in the community, representing self, and the Agency in a positive and professional manner.
• Performs other tasks as assigned by Supervisor. 

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS:

• Maintains accurate, timely chart information in compliance with SBH-ASO and state funding sources and agency quality assurance guidelines.
• Meet agency productivity expectations on a consistent basis.
• Meet agency expectations for documentation of services.
• Meets all contract obligations.
• Coordinate and prioritize work assignments so that tasks are completed on time and in a quality manner.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, LICENSE(S), CERTIFICATION, AND EXPERIENCE:

Education:   Master’s degree in related field

Experience: Minimum of 2 years’ experience working with children and families affected by mental and behavioral health challenges.

Licensure:  Eligible for credentialing in Washington State as an Agency Affiliated Counselor (assistance provided)

PREFERRED ADDITIONAL CREDENTIALS / EXPERIENCE:

Licensure:  Washington State independent clinical license (LMFT, LMHC, or LICSW), Associate license, or eligibility to apply.

Other:     Reliable, insured transportation. Possess and maintain valid driver’s license with an acceptable motor vehicle report. 

PREFERRED ADDITIONAL CREDENTIALS/EXPERIENCE: 

Experience: Experience working with individuals with serious, persistent mental illness. Experience in wraparound preferred. Experience co-occurring disorders treatment, individual and group therapy, or substance abuse treatment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Essential:

• Ability to multitask and effectively manage a caseload of individuals and families with diverse needs.
• Knowledge of the classification of mental disorders contained in the current DSM.
• Knowledge of child development and family systems, and ability to integrate it in to treatment planning and service delivery.
• Ability to utilize standardized measurements to assess symptoms and progress.
• Ability to educate clients about signs, symptoms, and recovery from mental illness.
• Understanding of current knowledge on recovery.
• Knowledge of community based child serving systems.
• Ability to coordinate care with multiple service providers.
• Basic knowledge of psychotropic medications and side effects.
• Ability to work independently and on a team.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Capability to use sound judgment in problem solving and clinical intervention.
• Practice of respectful communication with clients to enhance rapport and positive outcomes.
• Ability to plan and prioritize work and meet the Agency’s performance quality assurance and productivity standards.

NATURE & SCOPE:

Physical Demands:

• While performing the duties of the job, the employee is required to walk, sit, use hands and fingers, reach with arms, talk or listen. Peripheral vision is also required for this position.
• Moderate physical effort occasionally lifting up to ten pounds.
• Must be able to operate a motor vehicle.
• Must be able to tolerate sitting in a vehicle, office, or community setting for the required number of hours in a work day.

Cognitive Skills:

• Advanced verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be able to enter data into a computerized electronic medical record.

Working Environment:

• May be exposed to infections and contagious diseases
• Occasionally Exposed to patients exhibiting assaultive behaviors 

Working Demands:

• Frequent pressure due to schedule demands.
• Contact with patients under a wide variety of circumstances.
• Subject to varying and unpredictable situations.
• Handles emergency or crisis situations.
• Able to meet with clients in office and community settings.

Principal Challenges:

• Working collaboratively with interdisciplinary staff.
• Working collaboratively with clients, family members, and other community members.
• Ensuring compliance with agency and funding standard for documentation and delivery of services.