Clinical Therapist (Full-Time)

Position Title: Clinical Therapist

Department: Behavior Health Services (BHS)

Reports to: Clinical Supervisor

About the Program:

Behavioral Health Services (BHS): the Behavioral Health Services (BHS) department is a combination of individual, family and group counseling, and mentoring-based services. All BHS services can be provided in the home, school, community and/or office-based locations in Chicagoland. BHS services are designed to encourage participants to utilize their strengths and resilience as motivation to become leaders in their own lives, households, neighborhoods and society. Programming utilizes and enhances individual's strengths and promotes positive outcomes by providing opportunities, fostering positive relationships and furnishing the support needed to build on their strengths. BHS also offers bilingual/bicultural services through Spanish-speaking staff when necessary, and home, community and school-based therapy services as needed. 

Position Objective and Summary:

Under the supervision of a Licensed Clinical Supervisor, the Clinical Therapist t provides individual, group and family psychotherapy services in office, home and community based and telehealth virtual session, based on client identified need, to an assigned number of clients.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Assessment and Service Planning

• Performs IM CANS assessment and treatment planning evaluation of clients referred for services. Additional assessments and testing may be designated based on intervention planning. 
• Evaluates assessment results, planning treatment programming and approaches.
• Effectively applies clinical knowledge to evaluate client situations and needs
• Develops clear and specific ITP goals for each client based upon his/her individual needs
• Identifies at-risk clients and behaviors

Therapeutic Intervention

• Effectively conducts in office, home based, community and telehealth services, providing regularly scheduled individual, family, and group psychotherapy
• Successfully engages and develops rapport with a wide range of clients
• Utilizes clinical knowledge and skills to provide appropriate and effective therapies
• Structures therapy sessions in accordance with IM CANS goals
• Creates a therapeutic environment by providing adequate, varied, culturally competent and developmentally appropriate activities/materials
• Maintains consistency, confidentiality and safety throughout the session,

Planning and Organization

• Plans time effectively and efficiently to meet all job commitments
• Keeps information organized as to quickly respond to information requests about their clients
• Organizes caseload to meet expected level of billable contacts on a monthly basis
• Effectively balances multiple responsibilities, including in-home and in-office sessions
• Obtains and evaluates information necessary to implement client services.
• Responds in a timely manner to all written correspondence, email and phone call inquiries regarding clients.

Building Relationships and Networks

• Consults with supervisor, other therapists and consulting psychiatrists on details of cases and treatment plans.
• Contacts other social service agencies, schools, hospitals, courts, and public mental health organizations; makes referrals or obtains case-related information.
• Contacts caseworkers assigned to client or client’s family; discusses progress of case; obtains case-related information.
• Works effectively with others in a multi-disciplinary setting
• Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with other social service agencies, schools, courts, etc.
• Provides timely information to teachers, probation officers and others as needed
• Regularly consults with caseworkers regarding client progress
• Actively listens to others and their points of view and treats others with sensitivity.

Documentation and Reporting

• Notifies supervisor of critical incidents, problems, concerns, and needs in a timely manner.
• Clearly documents actions taken in a timely manner and in a format consistent with legal requirements
• Completes all documentation, reports and correspondence in a timely manner
• Concisely and professionally writes clinical documentation and reports that accurately reflect clinical interventions and progress made in the therapeutic process.
• Delivers written information to appropriate parties
• Maintains accurate, complete, and timely client records as required by ucan policy and procedures.
• Reports client progress in court proceedings through clear written reports submitted as required, and through accurate verbal testimony when required.
• Enters, updates and maintains accurate data in the Profile database, as required.
• Reports all possible critical incidents and unusual incidents to supervisor, management, or DCFS as required by ucan or by mandated reporting law.

Professionalism and Work Conduct

• Participates in staffing’s, team meetings, supervisory sessions, and other related program meetings, on a regular basis.
• Maintains current knowledge through participation in training sessions, seminars, conferences, etc.
• Behaves with integrity, demonstrates high ethical standards, and displays a positive image of
• Acts in a professional manner always and maintains appropriate boundaries with clients
• Demonstrates accountability for results and keeps commitments to others
• Reports to work, meetings, training, and job-related activities prepared and as scheduled
• Demonstrates openness and respect for cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and coworkers
• Accepts feedback and ideas from team and supervisor and is constructive when giving feedback and ideas to others
• Discusses alternative problem solving and is open to new ideas and ways of doing things
• Performs other related tasks as required or assigned.

Education/Job Experience/Certification:

• MSW or MA/MS in Human Services/Psychology/Counseling
• 0-2 years experience providing therapy in a clinical or related setting
• LPC or LSW a plus Goal

Special Knowledge and Qualifications:

• Effective verbal and written communicate skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and a part of a high functioning team.
• Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary setting.
• Sensitivity to special populations and ability to interface with the community.

Unusual Physical Requirements: Evening and weekend work.

Work Environment: This position requires direct contact with children and adolescents. This position may require home and community visits.