At Jefferson Center, it is our policy and our mission to be inclusive and mindful of the diversity of everyone who comes through our doors. We are passionate about building a community where mental health matters and equitable care is accessible to all races, ethnicities, abilities, socioeconomic statuses, ages, sexual orientations, gender expressions, religions, cultures, and languages.

The Therapist at Jefferson Center Academy works among a multi-disciplinary team of Jefferson Center Academy Facility School teachers, Special Education professionals, nurses, and behavior analyst professionals to provide behavioral health services for students in a year-round day treatment school environment. This position provides a wide menu of behavioral health services to the youth and families at Jefferson Center Academy. The therapist position provides clinical assessment, direct clinical services, and case management/disposition planning for students 10-18 years of age. Most students at the Academy are diagnosed with either a Pervasive Developmental Disorder (Autism Spectrum), or an Intellectual Disability. This position effectively engages students and their families in goal setting and ongoing treatment planning. A high-level understanding of DEIB best practices and the desire to work closely with marginalized populations and communities is strongly preferred.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Works collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team of teachers, Special Education providers, nurses, psychiatrists, behavioral analysts, family members, and other professionals in a school setting to provide developmentally appropriate behavioral health services. This includes participating in IEP meetings and reporting on social/emotional goals.
• Understands how developmental and learning disabilities impact the lives of the people being served, so that every interaction is consistent with a trauma-informed, inclusive lens.
• Creates and maintains a positive and collaborative relationship with each student assigned by Clinical Manager and their caregivers to ensure regular communication remains collaborative and supportive of treatment goals. While services are scheduled to be provided during the school day M-F, the therapist may meet with families in the home/community as needed for engagement and problem solving.
• Effectively responds to student/family needs and problems, initiates and maintains positive interactions with all parties and is timely in response to all phone calls, Teams messages, and emails.
• Meets with all assigned new students on caseload to complete a clinical assessment and initial treatment plan within 30 days of the student’s arrival to the School. Schedule initial staffing meetings and case conference meetings with external stakeholders also within the first 30 days.
• Exhibits effective assessment and diagnostic skills and demonstrates ability to quickly identify risk factors including lethality, self-harm, substance use and other risk factors. Identifies the need to link students with medication evaluations or assessments with additional professionals. Actively refers to internal and external community resources as needed.
• Facilitates a monthly Case Conference meeting for every student on caseload and invites all necessary parties including but not limited to, the student’s caregiver, representatives from the student’s home school district, as well as Academy teachers, SPED providers and the Director of Special Education.
• Provides the following behavioral health services to each student on caseload: individual (minimum of 1 time per week), family (one time per week), and group therapy (minimum of four groups per week). Will rotate co-facilitation of multi-family group with other therapists as needed. Will maximize medically authorized services with clients and their families in accordance with the treatment plan.
• Effectively plans for sessions in order to maintain consumer engagement utilizing wide range of intervention tools. Works to increase and maintain student self-sufficiency by increasing student’s adaptive level of functioning and use of community and natural supports. Maintains appropriate professional standards and provides appropriate and timely follow-up.
• Works effectively and collaboratively with Facility School Education Team, other Behavioral Health Services Providers, external providers such as Speech/Occupational therapists as well as staff in order departments within the larger Jefferson Center to address barriers to treatment.
• Addresses the whole health needs of each student by ensuring that appropriate releases are in place for physical health care providers, making appropriate referrals as needed when significant physical health needs are a consideration.
• Proficient in the use of the Electronic Health Record (EHR). Stays up to date on all trainings and can perform all job related tasks and workflows in the EHR.
• Follows all Jefferson Center policies and procedures to maintain the highest documentation standards and provide the best level of care to students, including adherence to mandated child abuse reporting laws and policies of Jefferson Center.
• Participates in supervision by coming prepared with an agenda. Reports high risk/problem cases, and utilizes problem-solving approaches. Accepts and responds positively to feedback. Attends supervision at times and intervals agreed upon with supervisor.
• Exhibits enthusiasm, courtesy, adaptability, flexibility, and spirit of cooperation in the work environment. Maintains good communication with treatment team members and Clinical Manager in order to receive and provide professional support and pro-active problem-solving strategies.
• Maintains effective interpersonal relations with consumers, peers, subordinates, upper management, visitors and the general public Refrains from dual relationships with all students and their families as defined by Jefferson Center policies to maintain professional boundaries.
• Works cooperatively with other community agencies, as appropriate, and in agreement with supervisor.
• Volunteers to work on Center committees and/or task forces as needed or assigned.
• Must be willing and able to perform physical restraints with clients using required CPI techniques maintain the safety and security of the students, staff, and community at all times.

Other Duties (Productivity Performance Measures, Professional Growth/Development, Relationships/Communication):

• Meets required number of consumer service hours as determined by the Family Services Director through effective caseload management responsive to the level of ongoing clinical need.
• Participates in individual and group supervision, weekly team meetings and daily rounds to provide leadership and clinical expertise to staff working with students and ensure effective client management.
• Attends all mandatory training and completes all required online training by due date. Participates in staff development activities to enhance professional growth.
• Proficiency in thorough and timely clinical documentation, including submitting documentation on time and adhering to all Jefferson Center’s regulatory requirements and clinical guidelines.
• Submit 90% of all Progress Notes within 3 working days (72 hours).
• Complete 90% of case closings within 60 days after last contact.
• Complete 90% of all treatment plans within 6 months of the last update.
• Complete 90% of monthly Relias (online) trainings on time.
• Effectively document medical necessity, treatment progress, safety risks, and other required information (informed by Center and peer audits).
• Comply with all corporate compliance and HIPAA standards.
• Complete data tracking required by grant funding sources, including required assessments such as the NOMS and required monthly reports to Department of Health and Human Services for open Dependency and Neglect cases.
• Effectively use technology to maintain an efficient working environment. Utilize Microsoft Teams Channels, Apps, and Chats, SharePoint, and cloud-based shared documents with other employees to increase sufficiency.
• Follow HIPPA-compliant methods for Zoom, and other online use for client sessions.
• Exhibits enthusiasm, courtesy, adaptability, flexibility, and spirit of cooperation in the work environment.
• Maintains effective interpersonal relations with consumers, peers, subordinates, upper management, visitors and the general public. Uses language and behavior to promote dignity and respect.
• Demonstrate supportive and non-judgmental attitudes to students, families, and colleagues
• Demonstrates knowledge and skills to support professional relationship with consumers and to work effectively with consumers from diverse backgrounds.
• Represents Jefferson Center in communications with referral sources, other professionals, organizations, and programs managing those contacts with diplomacy, respect, dignity, and professional behavior in order to enhance the program’s mission with regard to the surrounding communities.
• Operates within scope of their respective license and complies with all regulations regarding their respective license.
• Complies with managed care standards regarding regular utilization review of all assigned cases in order to meet all licensing requirements for residential treatment of adolescent populations.
• Performs other duties as assigned by Clinical Manager or Education Director

Note: Employees are held accountable for all duties of this job. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities or qualifications associated with the job.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in School Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, or related field required.
• Must be Licensed: Special Service Provider Professional License (Licensed School Social Worker/Licensed School Counselor/School Psychologist) strongly preferred. Must be registered with Colorado Department of Education. License will be verified. (Applicants with a Master’s degree in social work or psychology who possess licensure as an LCSW, LPC, LMFT may also be considered.)
• Experience working in an adolescent day treatment setting strongly preferred.
• Experience/Training in Autism Spectrum and Serious Emotional Disturbance also strongly preferred.
• Experience providing behavioral health treatment to this population including proficient use of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and experience providing family therapy strongly preferred.

Salary Grade 52- (Licensed Clinician LCSW, LMFT, LPC) $57,000 to $72,700.* Additional Salary Information*: 

• All salaries at Jefferson Center are calculated based on years of total relevant experience.*
• The salary range above is based on 1.0 FTE (full time equivalent) or 40 hours per week. Less than 40 hours/week will be prorated and adjusted to the appropriate FTE.*

Additional Bonus Information*:

• Based on full time (40 hours/week). Bonus will be prorated if less than 40 hours/week*
• Must work a minimum of 20 hours/week to be eligible for bonus*
• Current Jefferson Center employees not eligible for sign on bonus*