• 21 days paid time off (PTO) per year
• 3 mental health days per year
• 12 paid holidays per year
• health, dental, vision, life insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan
• student loan forgiveness plan eligibility
• growth opportunities

Position Summary: Provides individual and group/family therapy to restore or develop client’s ability to function by assessing the client’s situation, setting goals and providing required services integrates to improve mental health and promotes First Step mission. Primary setting for services is school campus, client’s home and community.

Educational Requirements: Masters Level Mental Health Therapist- Florida Licensed 

Special Skills: Individual and group therapy, mental health training with Children and adolescents, able to use DSM manual to diagnose, strong people skills to provide excellent internal and external customer service.

Position Duties:

1. Determines nature of client’s situation by interviewing client and family; assessing medical, psychological, emotional and social information.
2. Establishes course of action by exploring options; establishing rapport, setting goals with client, measuring degree of mental health instability. Uses various modalities to engage client and foster personal and behavioral growth.
3. Reports daily to assigned school during school hours. Works a flexible schedule to provide in-home visits and family therapy. Provides clinical services based on a 12-month calendar. Participates in school-based meetings and case communication. Informs school administrators whenever off campus. Plans personal vacation time in concert with student needs, whenever possible.
4. Fosters client’s action or adjustment by interpreting attitudes and patterns of behavior.
5. Establishes clinical relationship with client’s family to ensure continuity of care.
6. Maintains client records by documenting client’s situation and client’s own actions; accurately completes required paperwork procedures.
7. Maintains operations by following policies, procedures, rules and regulations; participating in quality reviews; including obtaining parental consent to provide treatment.
8. Complies with federal, state, and local legal requirements by studying existing and new legislation; enforcing adherence to requirements; advising management on needed actions.
9. Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies, attends regular staff meetings and clinical supervision. Completes First Step training requirements.
10. Maintains customer confidence and protects operations by keeping client information confidential; following established confidentiality policy and procedures; maintaining professional boundaries with clients.
11. Maintains inter- and intradepartmental workflow by fostering a spirit of cooperation.

FIRST STEP COMPETENCIES:

Demonstrates Dependability: 

• Arrives to work on time according to FSOS policy
• Uses leave time according to FSOS policy
• Completes documentation/paperwork and projects within deadlines

Demonstrates Flexibility & Initiative: 

• Assumes additional responsibilities and a willingness to assist colleagues
• Works different shifts when necessary
• Recommends program changes and improvements

Demonstrates Teamwork: 

• Maintains an overall work attitude of cooperation and professionalism in all interactions with agency staff and community professionals
• Attends and participates in required staff meetings and agency-wide committees
• Receptive to direction and feedback from supervisor

Demonstrates Professionalism:

• Conducts self in professional manner with colleagues, peers, and clients
• Recognizes the rights of clients; and will protect client’s privacy at all times by following FSOS State, and Federal mandated privacy procedures and regulations
• Adheres to FSOS Code of Ethics at all times
• Complies with all agency policies and procedures, laws, and regulations under which First Step operates

First Step of Sarasota, Inc. (FSOS) is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by law or regulation. It is our intention that all qualified applicants are given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors. We are dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our staff and clients. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees. FSOS also conducts pre-employment drug screening (to include medical marijuana) as a Drug Free Workplace pursuant to the Drug Free Workplace Program under Florida's Workers' Compensation Law.