Connections Organization Autism Consultant

Connections Organization which includes a private practice and 5 therapeutic day schools in the northwest suburbs of Illinois is seeking an Illinois licensed or license eligible psychologist for the position of Autism Consultant for the Organization. This is a unique opportunity to be part of the leadership team as well as supporting the clinical programs within the therapeutic day school programs. Counseling Connections is a private practice that has been providing services to our community since 1982. Our therapeutic day school model has been in practice for over 25 years specializing with working with children, adolescents and young adults and their families.

Connections Organization has 5 private therapeutic day schools that provide academic, therapeutic, and related services for children, adolescents, and your adults ages 6-22 years. Individuals with Levels 1 and 2 Autism Spectrum Disorder are part of the population our programs serve. Many individuals display complex and comorbid behavioral and emotional diagnoses as well. Our therapeutic day schools utilizes educational, therapeutic, family and community connections to promote academic achievement and personal/emotional growth. Our multidisciplinary staff is fully committed to helping each client make progress and develop the skills necessary to succeed at the school and community settings. The environment is based on a positive nurturing model and a strength-based approach where students receive a variety of related services such as speech and language, occupational therapy, art and music therapy, and nursing services.

This position would include a primary split of time between two of the Connections Organization programs. Specifically, New Connections Academy in Palatine and Connections Academy East in Lake Forest. Additionally there would be time throughout the week for consultation for all programs and supervision of doctoral level trainees within our extern, intern and postdoc training programs. The school site hours are on-site Monday through Friday during the hours of operation of the buildings (CAE - 7:30-3:30 and NCA 8:00-4:00). Our therapeutic day schools follow a typical academic schedule including breaks and holidays. Staff and students follow an extended school year, which is 20 days on campus during summer months. This position includes 5 personal days, 13 sick days and options for 401k and Health, Vision and Dental Insurance coverage options.

The position requires the candidate to have a Doctoral Degree in Psychology and be licensed in the state of Illinois. The Connections Organization Autism Consultant position is multi-faceted requiring excellent clinical, leadership, supervision, organization, consultation and communication skills. The position as Clinical Consultant is a leadership role in the school, working in tandem with all of the Connections Organizations Principals, Clinical Directors and other school leadership. Although the therapeutic services at Connections are provided to students by doctoral and master’s level therapists, the Autism Consultant is responsible for collaborating with the Connections Academy East (CAE) and New Connections Academy (NCA) leadership team and staff to support the entire school’s clinical programming, including overseeing individual treatment planning, group therapy curriculums, crisis management, risk assessment, individual and group supervision of therapists, and auxiliary clinical services.

Job Duties:

• Collaborate with the CAE and NCA Clinical Director to oversee therapeutic services delivered to all students.
• Collaborate with the CAE and NCA Clinical Director in preparation, training and continued professional development for multidisciplinary team members: focus on developing competencies in diversity, case conceptualizations, treatment planning and implementation of evidence based interventions that meet the individual needs of students and their families based on diagnosis and present level of functioning.
• Collaborate with the CAE and NCA Clinical Directors in preparation and maintaining clinical training and services schedules.
• Support development of student IEP’s and case study documents being presented in staffings.
• Support and create a culture of inclusion, growth and connection across the school staff.
• In collaboration with the CAE and NCA Leadership Team, support development, implementation, and maintenance of school policies and programming.
• Remain informed and provide guidance in the areas of mental health and special education laws and processes.
• Support crisis situations with high-risk clients.
• Consult with all Connections Organization staff across the multiple locations concerning assessment, diagnosis, interventions, and treatment of students and their families, specifically providing insight into working with clients with Level of 1 or 2 Autism Spectrum Disorder.
• Develop and promote evidence-based intervention services and guidance across all Connections Organization sites to support students and their families as they navigate concerns with Autism Spectrum Disorder considerations and diagnosis.
• Complete other duties as assigned by the owners.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $90,000