What are the responsibilities and job description for the Adolescent Milieu Therapist - MSW position at UHS?
The Adolescent Milieu Therapist plays a critical role in creating and maintaining a safe, structured, and therapeutic treatment environment for adolescents receiving inpatient psychiatric services, including youth participating in the Child Long-Term Inpatient Program (CLIP). This position provides direct clinical services through group therapy, therapeutic activities, behavioral interventions, and daily patient engagement.
As a visible clinical presence on the unit, the Milieu Therapist partners with psychiatrists, nursing staff, social workers, educators, recreational therapists, behavioral health technicians, and other members of the treatment team to support patient stabilization, skill development, treatment engagement, and successful transitions of care.
Required:
- Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Marriage & Family Therapy, or a related behavioral health field.
- Knowledge of adolescent development, psychiatric disorders, and trauma-informed care.
- Agency Affiliated Counselor (AAC) credential, or ability to obtain within the required timeframe.
- Current BLS/First Aid certification.
- Handle With Care and Verbal De-escalation certification (or ability to obtain upon hire).
- Strong therapeutic communication, group facilitation, and crisis intervention skills.
Preferred:
- Associate or independent behavioral health licensure (LICSW, LMHC, LMFT, LMSW, LASW, LMHCA, LMFTA, LSWAIC, or equivalent).
- Experience working with adolescents experiencing behavioral, emotional, psychiatric, and trauma-related challenges.
- Experience facilitating psychoeducational, process-oriented, and skills-based groups in a behavioral health setting.
Qualifications
Key Responsibilities:
- Facilitate therapeutic and psychoeducational groups for adolescent patients.
- Engage patients throughout the treatment day to reinforce coping skills, treatment goals, and healthy behaviors.
- Collaborate with nursing, psychiatry, social work, education, and behavioral health staff to coordinate care.
- Complete clinical documentation and contribute to treatment planning.
- Provide crisis intervention and behavioral support using approved techniques.
- Support the development and enhancement of evidence-based, trauma-informed programming.
This role is ideal for a behavioral health professional passionate about working with adolescents and fostering positive therapeutic outcomes in a collaborative treatment environment.