LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH THERAPIST/DIRECTOR OF TREATMENT

SJRC Texas - New Braunfels, TX

Full-time

New Braunfels, TX

About the position

Serves as a primary provider of mental health services for youth in the foster care system residing in a General Residential Operation, delivering individual and group therapy, and participating in the development of individual plans of care. Maintains quality standards for contracted behavioral health providers and ensures that the youth in care receive high quality treatment, skills training, and community support. Coordinates the efforts of an integrative treatment team including the Medical Director, Team Psychologist, on-site Nurse Practitioner and Charter School Director, facility Case Manager, Permanency Team, Interns, and other contributors. Works to maintain a healthy treatment milieu, participates in admission and discharge decisions, and collaborates with team members regarding residents' behavioral health and medical needs, psychiatric and psychological evaluations, and other treatment priorities.

Responsibilities

• Delivers individual, family, and group therapy to residents using evidence-based, trauma-informed treatment methods.
• Will receive certification training in the Neuro-Sequential Model of Therapeutics.
• Works closely with the Medical Director and ANP, Team Psychologist, VP of Residential Services, Residential team, VP of Child Placement Agency, and UTHSCSA nursing personnel.
• Communicates effectively with the Belong staff for the coordination of care for residents on campus and, as needed, for clients in the Child Placement Agency.
• Coordinates weekly integrative staffing in a manner that encourages contributions from multiple team members and ensures that meetings are run in a timely manner.
• Attends staffing at the Child Placement Agency as needed.
• Assists Residential Director and Program Coordinators regarding house milieu dynamics and placements to minimize risk and promote the maintenance of a therapeutic culture.
• Assures all direct reports have ready in advance of therapeutic team meetings all materials, documents related to possible admissions and current residents.
• Models and educates campus personal on the treatment philosophy, methods, and techniques outlined for the therapeutic milieu.
• Facilitates group, individual counseling and is present during some skills learning sessions, completing documentation within 24 hours of sessions.
• Evaluates client's progress and recommendations for care.
• Supports Residential Director, Program Coordinators, Care Managers, Supervisors, Youth Care Specialists as needed.
• Coordinates treatment with other external providers such as psychiatric hospitals, juvenile justice systems, courts, etc.
• As needed, conducts screening to assess the risk of suicidal behavior.
• Consults with Youth Care Specialists and assists with problem solving around children's behavior.
• Maintains positive relationships with staff and clients.
• Collaborates with the VP of Residential Services and other Touchstone leadership to evaluate and approve admission of children into the program.
• Participates in integrating various assessments into a comprehensive prescription of care plan.
• As the mental health specialist for the GRO and CPA, understands he/she may be called after hours to assist in resolving crisis situations on occasion.
• Maintains professional license in good standing.
• Takes all needed annual training and maintains certifications.
• Provides mental health consultation or other support to the Belong organization as may be required.
• Serves on the on-call rotation for the GRO.
• Other duties as needed and assigned.

Requirements

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university in a mental health-related field
• Licensed in the state of Texas in good standing as a clinical social worker, professional counselor, or marriage and family therapist.
• Three years' experience post-licensure providing treatment services for youth with an emotional disorder.
• Training, experience, and skill in the use of the one or more trauma-informed treatment modalities such as dialectical behavior therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, trauma-focused cognitive behavior therapy, trust-based relational intervention, or other related evidence-based modalities.
• A working understanding of the DSM-5-TR, the use of psychometric testing in psychological evaluations, the categories of psychotropic medications commonly administered to high acuity youth, and the categories of service for which such youth may be eligible in a public-school Special Education Program.

Nice-to-haves

• One year of experience in a residential treatment setting
• Bilingual (English/Spanish).
• Experience in the child welfare system with an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of case care teams, CASA volunteers, attorney's ad litem, and child placing agencies.
• Certified in the Neuro-sequential Model of Therapeutics.
• Knowledgeable in completing an admission assessment or any other evaluation of a child for placement.
• Knowledgeable in developing, reviewing, and updating of service plans for a child in care.
• Knowledgeable in completing a discharge or transfer summary for a child.
• Able to utilize electronic medical records to document activity with residents.
• Experience working in an office supporting several staff members.
• Experience using Microsoft software.

Benefits

• Valid Texas Driver's License, good driving record, ability to provide own transportation and proof of current automobile insurance.