Childrens Public Health Outpatient Therapist

JOB DESCRIPTION: Public Health Department Out-Patient Therapist

WORKING TITLE: Out-Patient Therapist

This Master's Level out-patient therapist will be serving clients living in Jefferson County referred by the Jefferson County Department of Health. This therapist will provide assessment, individual therapy/family therapy/group therapy, conflict resolution and other mental health services to identified clients with severe emotional and/or behavioral problems that are interfering with their functioning at home, school or in the community. This therapist will also provide mental health consultation for JCDH and other outside agencies that are involved with the clients.

Supervised By: Director of Children’s Services

Division: Children's Services

Normal Working Hours/Days: Monday-Friday 8-5 with flexibility to meet client/family need.

Minimum Qualifications

Master's degree in psychology, social work or counseling with an emphasis on clinical service for children and adolescents

Two years’ experience working with children/adolescents with a serious emotional disturbance and their families in a community setting with an emphasis on clinical services is required. State licensure is preferred (LICSW, LPC, LMFT).

Valid Alabama driver's license and driving record acceptable to agency automobile insurance carrier for inclusion on agency policy. Suitable automobile to permit the required travel. Must show and maintain car insurance equal to or in excess of the State of Alabama standards for automobile insurance coverage.

**Bilingual in Spanish is preferred. 

Primary Job Functions

Responsible for interviewing, evaluating and assessing for mental health and other appropriate needs of children/families.

Responsible for properly assessing the unmet needs of the target population and devising an individualized treatment plan for each client.

Collaborates closely with the Children’s Services staff and JCDH, as well as other community resources in order to provide or access appropriate services to meet the needs of the target population (mental health services, school/special education service, etc.)

Responsible for individual, group and family therapy with emphasis on behavior modification, Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy, Strategic Family Therapy, parent education and other therapeutic approaches as appropriate to treatment needs.

Responsible for assisting with, maintaining, and working weekly psychiatric clinics

Provides accurate documentation of charts on a daily basis in an EMR system, including clinical assessments, treatment plans, referrals, data collections, case reviews and follow up tracking.

Responsible for providing and presenting clinical assessments and treatment goals at scheduled staffings with supervisor.

Performs other administrative duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of the special needs and behavioral characteristics of children/adolescents with a serious emotional disturbance and their families.

Knowledge of psychotherapy principals and techniques.

Knowledge of psychotropic medications, including their uses and side effects.

Ability to perform individual, group and family therapy to include behavior modification, R.E.T., parent education and problem-solving skills.

Ability to make clinical decisions/recommendations in crisis situations regarding children/adolescents with a serious emotional disturbance and their families.

Ability to communicate effectively with a multi-disciplinary team to include JCDH, Department of Human Resources, Juvenile Probation Office/ Family Court, School Staff, and other mental health professionals.

Demonstrate communication skills- both expressive and written.

Ability to utilize technology to perform basic job duties and complete documentation of services (i.e. computer, cell phone, fax machine)

Ability to organize and manage one’s own activities with a minimum of direct supervision.

Ability to utilize technology to complete electronic medical records

Ability to work flexible hours due to the special needs of the target population and their families.

Participate on a rotation 24 hour on call roster.