OVERALL FUNCTION:

The Therapist possesses and implements knowledge and educational background applicable to work with individuals, groups, and community systems within as well as outside the agency. The Therapist maintains an active liaison relationship between the Residential Program, community, schools and resources within the neighborhood.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

1. Conducts individual therapy once a week with each resident and provides additional time to each resident as necessary.
2. Conducts regular therapy sessions (individual conjoint, family or group) in conjunction with the entire treatment team and provides additional therapy when necessary.
3. Formulates and implements an overall treatment plan for each child and family in conjunction with the entire treatment team.  Frequency is dependent upon the current treatment plan, commitment and availability of parents.
4. Acts as a liaison to agencies in order to oversee the resident program.
5. Provides program input to staff regarding individual, and group counseling approaches, and techniques.
6. Reports weekly to the Clinical Director.
7. Meets regularly with the Youth Care Counselors, Social Workers and consultants regarding implementation of treatment plans and specific problematic situations.
8. Coordinates visiting plans for each child with the treatment team, insuring that the necessary staff members are notified.
9. Attend and participate in mandatory training and in-services as required.
10. Performs other tasks and responsibilities as deemed appropriate by program supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Active registration through the Board of Behavioral Science Examiners (BBSE); intent to register as a BBS intern will be considered with the registration process complete within three months of date of hire.
   Social work staff hired on or after January 1, 2017 shall meet the following education and experience requirements:
   1. A Master’s Degree from an accredited or state approved graduate school, as defined by the Department of Education, in social work or social welfare, marriage, family and child counseling, child psychology, child development, counseling psychology or social psychology.
   2. Social work staff shall be at least 21 years of age.
   3. This subparagraph shall not apply to social work staff employed before October 1, 2014 by a short-term residential therapeutic program that was operating as a group home prior to January 1, 2017.
   4. Completion of at least three semester units or 100 days of field practice or experience in a public or private social service agency at the Master’s Degree level.
   5. At least nine semester units of coursework related to children and families, or 18 months experience in working with children and families.
   6. At least three semester units in working with minority populations; six months of experience in working with minority population; or six months in-service training in working with minority populations within the first year of employment as a condition of employment.
   7. At least three semester units in child welfare, or two years’ experience in a public or private child welfare social services setting.
2. Social work staff who do not meet the Master’s Degree requirements specified in Subsection (c)(2)(A) may apply for an exception provided he/she completes the coursework and field practice or experience requirements specified in Subsection (c)(2)(C).
3. Group home social work staff who were hired prior to January 1, 2017 by a facility transitioning to a short-term residential therapeutic program shall not be required to meet the requirements of this section in order to remain employed in a short-term residential therapeutic program.
4. Ability to verbally communicate well with others.
5. All employees, regardless of position, serve as role models for children and adolescents who are served by agencies.  Therefore, each employee must at all times be emotionally stable and able to function effectively with children, adolescents and adults who may have mental or behavioral health problems.  The staff must be able to demonstrate appropriate daily behavior, appropriate expression of emotions as well as appropriate role modeling.  Hostility, aggression, and unnecessary or inappropriate physical actions as well as inappropriate emotional expression are not acceptable.

REQUIREMENTS:

Must be able to pass criminal/fingerprinting background check, TB Test, Physical Exam and Drug Testing.  Must have a valid California Drivers License and a clear DMV record.

Must have the visual, physical and technical ability to independently operate a variety of office equipment including the use of a computer.  Will also require bending, stooping, filing, lifting and be able to interrupt physical altercations if necessary.

We offer competitive compensation and a benefits package:

Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Care Plan
Life Insurance
Paid Holidays (11)
Paid Vacation Time
401(k) Retirement Plan (up to 4%)
Educational Reimbursement
Employee Referral Bonus Program