SUMMARY

Serves Longmore Academy students by providing individual and group therapy, focusing on a variety of areas that strengthen student and environmental conditions, such as interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, decision making and similar key competencies.  Frequently consults with faculty to establish links between behavioral health challenges and learning progress, and establishes home, school and community links through relationships with system agencies to further strengthen student progress.  This position works 10 months based on the school calendar and assigned days in the summer.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  Other duties may be assigned.

• Conducts comprehensive assessment of identified students based on child's strengths and interests, and reflecting recovery/resiliency principles.
• Actively provides crisis prevention and intervention services to students and staff.
• Coordinates the development and implementation of a plan of treatment/service for identified students and/or their families (including individual, group, and possibly family therapy as indicated) in conjunction with the treatment team as appropriate.
• Supports and implements positive strength-based strategies utilizing positive behavior support approaches.
• Maintains complete records through documentation that is accurate and current.
• Participates as a member of the interdisciplinary team to ensure effective, cohesive clinical and educational strategies/approaches are appropriately utilized for each student. This includes formal and informal, ongoing communications.
• Provides clinical leadership and consultation to educational staff, including explanation of the implications of a mental health diagnosis as it affects learning, and diagnosis specific strategies and adaptations that promote student success.
• Facilitates collaboration and coordination of services with all involved human service agencies and applicable systems including juvenile justice, behavioral health agencies, child protective services, substance abuse programs.
• Provides student-specific consultation and training to educational staff.
• Actively communicates needs and utilizes supervision with designated supervisor.
• Facilitates transition and discharge planning.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Master’s degree in social work, psychology, child development, psychiatric nursing, or related area, and a minimum of two years prior experience supporting a child/adolescent behavioral health program. Licensed or eligible in the state of PA (LSW, LCSW, LPC) strongly preferred.  Must be 21 years of age with current Act 153 Clearances dated within the prior 12 months.  Current PA state driver’s license with an insurable driving record required.  Must possess demonstrated PC skills including common MS Office applications.  Additional training or licensing as required by regulations, or as deemed necessary by the Executive Director or Director. 

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

Communication Skills

Ability to adjust the presentation of information to diverse audiences.  Ability to read and comprehend simple to moderately complex instructions, general business correspondence, and memos.  Possesses excellent interpersonal skills, including a professional and responsive customer service approach. Welcomes input regarding work-related activities.  Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to clients, supervisors and other employees.  Recognizes and respects appropriate parameters of confidential information.

Strategic Planning

Ability to apply common sense understanding to effectively carry out written or oral instructions in an expedient manner.  Capable of recognizing critical events or needs and adjusting priorities and deadlines accordingly.  Ability to deal with and analyze problems involving several concrete variables in and aside from standardized situations.  Promotes the attitudes, conditions and environments that yield increased quality and content of individual and team performance. 

Adaptability

Capable of effectively adjusting and coping with change and uncertainty in new situations and environments.  Maintains accuracy and focus on detail in difficult situations.  Ability to manage multiple tasks and modify objectives as needed.  Seeks feedback and is open to coaching and criticism without being defensive.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, hear, walk, and use hands to handle, or feel.  The employee frequently is required to stand, reach with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch.  The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, and occasionally, up to 20 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and the ability to adjust focus.  The employee must be able to handle volatile situations with residents, which may include restraining an individual. 

Salary : $41,395 - $63,127