Bilingual School Based Therapist

School-Based Clinician

Description

Community Counseling Centers of Chicago (C4) is currently seeking a school-based clinician to join our Youth and Family Therapy program in Chicago, IL.

Who we are:

• Our Mission - Community Counseling Centers of Chicago (C4), a behavioral health advocate and social service provider, offers quality, comprehensive customer-oriented services tailored to the diversity of its consumers.
• Our Vision - Community Counseling Centers of Chicago (C4) will be, and will be recognized as, essential to the wellbeing of the communities we serve.
• Philosophy - C4 believes that people recovering from mental illness and emotional trauma are able to live, work and thrive in the community.
• https://www.c4chicago.org/

Community Counseling Centers of Chicago (C4) serves some of Chicago’s most vulnerable residents. We are a pioneer in building hope and breaking down barriers to healing--from the personal to the systemic—through an integrated, community approach.

You have an opportunity to be a part of a dramatic turnaround at C4 and creating strength in community. In the depths of multiple societal traumas for our clients—personal challenges, COVID-19, America’s racial reckoning, massive unemployment numbers—C4 also found itself in a management and financial crisis. With new leadership in place since June 2020, we have stabilized our financial position, improved cashflow, won new grants, increased staff productivity and morale, and hired over 50 new staff members! All of this is being achieved through a transparent, participatory process through engaging our Board of Directors, clients, employees, and a variety of community partners.

What we offer:

• Competitive salary based upon relevant education and licensure
• Comprehensive benefits package including healthcare insurance, paid vacation, and holidays, and 403(b) plan (no match)
• National Health Service Corp (NHSC) loan forgiveness for qualifying clinicians

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Decisions and criteria governing the employment relationship with all employees at Community Counseling Centers of Chicago (C4) are made in a non-discriminatory manner, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, age, FMLA status, or any other factor determined to be unlawful by federal, state, or local statutes.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties, as necessary. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

COVID-19 Considerations:

Throughout the pandemic recovery period, C4 has and will continue to follow the overarching recommendations provided by public health officials. We have developed and implemented appropriate workplace safety policies.

Requirements

About the role:

As a member of the Community-Based Clinicians Team, the school-based clinician will provide trauma-informed therapy services to elementary school children, their parents, and staff at Chicago-area schools. In addition, the clinician will also provide home and office-based services to the population at large during after-school hours. Interventions include a range of therapeutic and behavioral services for individuals and their families with trauma and mental health needs. Services are flexible to the family’s and individual’s needs and delivered in the community whenever possible. The school-based clinician will provide services in a culturally sensitive and appropriate manner, as well as contribute to equity goals by prioritizing clients from communities where disinvestment has created or exacerbated mental health issues.

What you will do:

• Provide integrated, holistic, and trauma-informed mental health treatment for youth and families at Chicago schools in Spanish and English
• Provide weekly or bi-weekly therapy in families’ homes, as appropriate; consistently engage guardians in treatment through family therapy and/or separate caregiver support sessions
• Travel to provide services in clients’ homes or other community settings as well as deliver some office-based and telehealth services to the general population
• Develop a caseload that will fulfill the 22 hours of direct service time a week requirement based on clinical interests and areas of growth
• Conduct regular leadership meetings that consistently include parents/youth, mental health staff and school staff to determine how to best serve school’s needs
• Conduct intake appointments to assess clients’ functioning, strengths, needs, and diagnosis and make recommendations for treatment
• Identify and address any case management needs (i.e., securing resources, linking to other programs, etc.) during treatment and at time of discharge
• Continually assess for any safety concerns and facilitate safety planning when indicated
• Build and maintain relationships with school staff and attend any meetings relevant to supporting clients (IEP meetings, 504 meetings, etc.)
• Develop treatment plans incorporating Adverse Childhood Experiences in coordination with client and their family and use this treatment plan through course of treatment
• Facilitate collection and analysis of data
• Provide culturally appropriate, competent, and individualized plans in accordance with each client’s age, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religious beliefs, and culture
• Work cooperatively with other members of the treatment team and participate in weekly team meetings
• Attend weekly individual reflective supervision and actively seek consultation whenever necessary or requested by supervisor
• Maintain positive and mutually respectful relationships with other human service providers, entitlement agencies, health care vendors, and the community
• Maintain compliance with clinical documentation, timelines and agency policies and procedures including meeting required timeframes for documentation and service notes
• Participate in training opportunities 
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor

Education and Experience:

• MA/MS in Social Work, Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, or a related field is required
• LCPC, LCSW or LMFT preferred
• Clinical experience working with individuals and families living with mental illness
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Personal vehicle, valid Illinois driver’s license, and insurable driving record is required

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to be respectful of the diverse cultures of the people served and to provide culturally appropriate, competent, and individualized treatment in accordance with each client’s age, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religious beliefs, and culture
• Clinical competencies, including trauma-informed care, as aligned with training mandated by C4
• Ability to develop and foster therapeutic relationships that center empathic, non-judgmental, strengths-based, and person-centered care
• Flexibility and ability to adapt to change
• Understanding of or willingness to learn about environmental/systemic stressors and impact on mental health
• Ability to work independently in the community and willing and motivated to seek support from supervisor and/or peers
• Knowledge of and ability to use appropriate behavior management techniques
• Understanding of personal and professional boundaries
• Ability to plan, develop and manage multiple projects
• Organizational skills
• Time and stress management skills
• Communication skills to include interpersonal, teamwork, and collaboration skills
• Conflict-resolution and diplomacy skills
• Computer literacy
• Problem-solving skills
• Proficient in Windows environment
• Bilingual highly valued