Overview:

There are three (3) levels of staff therapists. There is a master’s level therapist, commonly referred to as the mental health professional; a bachelor’s level therapist, commonly referred to as the mental health worker and a mental health aid. Each team will be comprised of one master’s level therapist and one bachelor’s level therapist. A team may also be comprised of two master’s level clinicians; however, a team may not be comprised of two bachelor’s level therapists unless a bachelor’s level therapist has completed the WPIC training program and passed DPW’s mental health worker examination. A team may also include a mental health aid if the program director deems necessary to assist the treatment team.

The mental health professional is a master’s level therapist and reports directly to the program director. This position is responsible for providing clinical assessment, developing a thorough treatment plan, and providing intensive, individualized treatment and skills training to families in the Unity Family Services In-Home Family-Based Program. This person will function collaboratively with the mental health worker, co-therapist and if necessary, the mental health aid to form an effective treatment team. This person must coordinate support services and services provided by other organizations (i.e. schools, churches, other mental health programs etc.)

The following is the job description for FBMH therapists, (mental health professionals, mental health workers & mental health aids), however, the mental health professional is the lead therapist on the case.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assists the program director & program manager/trainer in all areas of program development and evaluation as assigned. This particularly includes selecting the most appropriate interventions and assessment tools for the family as well as developing the most appropriate criteria and specific measurement scales for proper documentation.

• Completes clinical child/family assessments, coordinates all information necessary for developing an initial treatment plan, family safety plan, coordinates the 30-day review process, recommends discharge options to the family, and completes follow up plans agreed upon by the family.

• Participates in a treatment team of self and co-therapist. Together they share the responsibility of providing intensive individual and family treatment with their teammate. They must communicate and collaborate with the teammate to maximize the team’s therapeutic effectiveness with families. Both therapists shall utilize family systems theory, and structural family theory as well as a wide variety of closely related theories, and cognitive/behavioral treatments. Parent training, and social and life skills training are also essential.

• Provide consultation to personnel from schools, Intermediate Units, and community agencies to provide coordinated individual and family service plans. Consultation and case management activities to be consistent with the family’s goals.

• Follow family progress with psychiatric physician as appropriate. Arrange psychiatric evaluations as needed, review medication needs, and consult with psychiatrist regarding problems that arise during treatment.

• Assist the family to use community resources appropriately. They shall develop networks of support services, and coordinate services with countywide child-serving agencies like CYS, Juvenile Court, outpatient treatment, strength-based, BHRS, Therapeutic foster care, etc.

• Provide mental health crisis support as required such as on-call availability for consultation and support, or assist family in making arrangements to have IP taken to hospital, RTF, etc. However, Therapists are not permitted to restrain clients.

• Complete routine paperwork such as progress notes, assessments, treatment plans, reviews, logs, letters, and other program related correspondence and forms.

• Safeguard all confidential company and client information, FSS funds, and company property per established policies and procedures including HIPAA.

• Recognize the importance of cultural sensitivity when treating families.

• Utilize internal open door complaint and reporting for issues regarding ethics, fraud, and abuse. Make suggestions to improve services and treatment standards.

Minimum Qualifications per Family-Based Regulations:

A child mental health professional shall have one of the following:

• A graduate degree in psychiatry, psychology, social work, nursing, education, rehabilitation or a graduate degree in the field of human services plus 2 years experience in a CASSP system program.

OR

• Be a licensed registered nurse (RN) with 5. years of experience including 2 years of experience in a CASSP system program plus have certification by the Department's Office of Mental Health (OMH) as a men­tal health family based worker.

OR

• A bachelor's degree in psychology, sociology, social work, nursing, rehabilitation, education, pre-med, theol­ogy, anthropology or a degree in the field of human services plus certification by OMH as a mental health family based worker.

 A child mental health worker shall have one of the following:

• Have a bachelor’s degree and at least 12 college level semester hours in humanities or social services plus 1 year of experience in a CASSP system program and enrolled for certification by OMH as a mental health family based worker.

OR

• Be a licensed RN plus have 1 year of experience in a CASSP system program and be enrolled for certifica­tion by OMH as a mental health family based worker.

OR

• A graduate student enrolled in human services, master’s degree program can be added to a team as a mental health worker. If the graduate student is employed as a team member by the FBMHS program, the agency may bill for the units of service performed by the individual. An undergraduate student enrolled in a human services degree program may work for the FBMHS as an aide. The FBMHS program would not bill for the units of service performed, however the salary costs associated with the position would then be included in the family support services budget and may be part of the unit cost. A student or intern who does not receive a salary from the FBMHS program or who does not meet minimum education requirements may not be included in billing units of service.

A child mental health aide worker shall have one of the following:

• Mental Health Aid-Associates’ degree or 60 credits working towards bachelors’ degree or bachelors’ degree with no experience.

Specific Position Requirements Include:

Quest for knowledge in:

• Family systems theory, structural family therapy and practice
• Normal and abnormal developmental theory
• Developing skill in family assessments and individual, family, and group therapy
• Developing ability to train families in areas such as parenting, communications, etc.

• Ability to work effectively with personnel from other professional settings.
• Ability to work with and teach a wide range of diverse clients (age, gender, blended families, etc.)
• Must be willing to utilize supervision & collaborate with other professionals
• Excellent computer skills
• Excellent organizational skills and effective time management skills
• Participate in weekly supervision in office and field supervision
• Have sense of creativity, strong moral character, & compassion
• Adhere to regulatory guidelines and program policies & procedures
• Attend and actively participate in staff meetings, clinical supervisions and mandatory training programs.
• Maintain strict confidentiality with client/families’ information
• Complete all paperwork timely and accurately
• Inform Program Director and/or Program Manager immediately of any clinical issues or abusive situations with clients
• Utilize in-house reporting of unethical or abuse acts

Personal and Professional Attributes:

The Family Based Mental Health Therapist will understand and have a commitment to the philosophy, mission, values, and vision of Unity Family Services Inc. The individual will be able to demonstrate these values with his/her leadership practices. This person will possess personal and professional integrity, strong communication skills and an excellent professional appearance and presentation. Strong analytical and decision-making skills along with considerable tact and diplomacy are important considerations. The individual must possess strong leadership and managerial skills, strong interpersonal skills, a good sense of humor, high energy level and a positive calm outlook. Other attributes include the following:

• Is respectful, honest and demonstrates integrity and ethics.
• Listens effectively, shares ideas and information openly and facilitates relationship building by establishing trust.
• Reduces conflict and chaos through the promotion of positive interactions.
• Refrains from negative conversation that inhibit the growth and productivity of management, employees, consumers and the agency.
• Interested in serving as a mentor to others.
• Possesses initiative, good judgment and the ability to problem solve.
• Has handled demanding workloads to meet objectives.
• Is consumer/client focused, service oriented, and has effectively influenced positive growth.
• Works effectively with all levels of management and departments, in particular, the Family Based Program Director and Program Manager.
• Is driven, compassionate, and creative.
• Team player.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to travel, sometimes overnight, by auto.
• Occasional lifting of 10-20 pounds.
• Sufficient vision acuity for routine driving, computer use, and moderate to heavy reading and writing responsibilities.
• Position requires walking, sitting and standing at moderate levels.
• Stamina able to be maintained to manage a work level that may exceed 40 hours per week.
• Position requires a high level of all forms of communication skills: written, verbal, listening.

Requirements of Continued Employment

• Valid PA driver’s license and auto insurance required
• Act 33/34 clearances required
• FBI Clearance
• Ability to provide and comply with regulations of Medicaid and Medicare Services
• Pass Drug Testing

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents in this position. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description. I understand that this position description sets forth, by way of example and not by way of limitation, the significant tasks and duties, responsibility, authorities, relationship and accountability, and does not constitute an employee contract between Unity Family Services and the employee assigned to this position.