What are the responsibilities and job description for the Therapist position at Harris County?
Position Description
About the Health Services Division:
The Health Services division of the HCJPD is responsible for the medical, psychological, and treatment programs within the agency. The services operated within this division include the medical staff that assess and treat youth in the detention center and post-adjudicated facilities. In addition, the division has mental health therapists who provide crisis counseling, and individual, group and family therapy to youth both in the detention center and under community supervision. Lastly, the Health Services division oversees the four specialty courts that operate within the agency to help address some of the underlying factors that may be impacting a youth’s functioning.
The Health Services division of the HCJPD is responsible for the medical, psychological, and treatment programs within the agency. The services operated within this division include the medical staff that assess and treat youth in the detention center and post-adjudicated facilities. In addition, the division has mental health therapists who provide crisis counseling, and individual, group and family therapy to youth both in the detention center and under community supervision. Lastly, the Health Services division oversees the four specialty courts that operate within the agency to help address some of the underlying factors that may be impacting a youth’s functioning.
About the Position:
The Therapist provides counseling services including crisis intervention, crisis management, individual sessions, group sessions, and family intervention under supervision of Harris County Juvenile Probation Department (HCJPD). This position is expected to assist in providing safe and secure custody of adolescents to reduce negative effects of detainment, provide mental health services to the youth in our care, and encourage socially acceptable behavior.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Provides supportive psychosocial counseling, psychosocial education, crisis intervention/management, clinical assessments, all while highlighting different modalities based upon the needs of the youth (ex: chemical dependency treatment, anger management).
- Responsible for providing individual and group therapy to HCJPD youth. Provides family therapy as needed, and family contact as needed (to gather relevant treatment information and to appraise them of any concerns regarding their youth at facility).
- Maintains clear, timely, and concise documentation of treatment efforts in compliance with Health Services and Residential Services policies and procedures.
- Completes relevant clinical/administrative functions such as clinical staffing, medication monitoring, and staff training. Identifies and refers youth for psychiatric and social services.
- Provides consultation to HCJPD Juvenile Probation Officers and Youth Development Coaches regarding behavioral and adjustment issues, case planning, and treatment needs, including providing advocacy and collaborative efforts to ensure related services are provided to assigned youth.
Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx
If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or emailADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net
Requirements
Education and Experience:
- MS/MA from an accredited college or university in clinical or counseling psychology and/or social work with either:
- One (1) year of post master's clinical experience OR
- Two (2) semesters of internship in the Psychological and Social Services Unit of Harris County Juvenile Probation or in Harris County Children's Forensic Unit.
Licensure:
- Applicant must be fully licensed in clinical or counseling psychology and/or social work (LPC, LCSW, LMFT, LPA) within three (3) years of date of hire.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Working knowledge of DSM-5 and multi-axial assessment/diagnoses.
- Ability to conduct clinical and psychosocial assessments.
- Working knowledge and ability to execute evidence-based strategies and therapeutic modalities.
- Consistently demonstrate knowledge and application of skills, methods, and fundamentals as they relate to clinical practice with population in detention.
- Ability to document all assessments, clinical notes, phone calls, case management notes, and referrals in a timely manner (24-hour note writing window) while maintaining accuracy.
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of HCJPD unit policies and procedures.
- Ability to assess and conceptualize youth’s emotional state, and implement necessary intervention in accordance to departmental guidelines.
- Demonstrate ability to untangle a problem, and dissect it into manageable parts.
- Ability to prioritize and manage multiple assignments, while simultaneously meeting multiple deadlines.
- Communicate with supervisor consistently, make use of consultation, and accept constructive feedback to improve work quality.
- Ability to communicate across departments, and interdepartmentally.
- Must be 21 years old.
Additional Requirements:
- Upon receiving a conditional job offer, each applicant must undergo a criminal background check, a tuberculosis (TB) skin test, and a drug screening, as well as provide certified copies of their educational transcripts.
- In the event of a declared public emergency by the county, staff may be reassigned to different duties, facilities, or placed under the supervision of another county department.
- Applicants must be at least 21 years old.
- This position involves working with challenging youth where the use of crisis intervention and de-escalation strategies may be necessary to ensure the safety of both youth and staff.
NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.
General Information
About Harris County Juvenile Probation (HCJPD):
The Harris County Juvenile Probation Department (HCJPD) is committed to the protection of the public utilizing intervention strategies that are community-based, family-oriented, and least restrictive while emphasizing responsibility and accountability of both parent and child. HCJPD provides supervision and services to youth between the ages of 10 and 17, who are under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court. HCJPD is the largest juvenile probation department in Texas with approximately 1,100 employees and over 3,500 youth referred to the department annually.
- Make an impact: Working for HCJPD provides the opportunity to serve your community and be a positive role model for young people. Our pace of work enables fast learning and fosters an environment where you can make a positive impact.
- Professional Growth: We are committed to growing the capabilities of our staff by building a learning community where you can work with diverse individuals, explore new ways of thinking, and expand your skills. Our employees are Juvenile Justice Practitioners who share their knowledge to enhance each other’s growth.
Harris County Juvenile Probation Department - Be an Agent of Change:
Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:
- Regular Full-time
- Hours will be discussed during departmental interview.
Location:
- JDC- 1200 Congress St.
Salary:
- $67,558.40 - $85,550.40 Annually
- Unlicensed: $67,558.40
- Associate: $73,049.60
- Licensed: $ 76,544.00
- Licensed with experience: $77,438.40- $85,550.40
- Depends on Qualifications
- Based on 26 Pay Periods
Employment is contingent upon passing a background check and drug screen.
Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.
HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.
The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:
Health & Wellness Benefits
- Medical Coverage
- Dental Coverage
- Vision Coverage
- Wellness Plan
- Life Insurance
- Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
- Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
- Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
- One (1) floating holiday per year
- Paid Parental Leave*
- Sick Leave
Retirement Savings Benefit
- 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:
- Professional learning & development opportunities
- Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
- Flexible work schedule*
- METRO RideSponsor Program*
- Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.
In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.
For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website:
www.benefitsathctx.com
Salary : $67,558 - $85,550
