Arson Behavior Specialist/Counselor

Looking for a Licensed Counselor to work in a Psychiatric Hospital as a Arson Behavior Specialist. The patient population consists of adult forensic psychiatric patients at least 18 years of age. The hospital has a bed capacity of 308 patients.

Hours : up to 20 hours (2 working days) of services per week.

Location

• Norristown, PA

Licensed Counselor Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s or Doctoral degree in Human Sexuality, Psychology, or related Clinical Degree.
  Licensed or license-eligible in Pennsylvania as a Counselor /Clinical membership (ATSA preferred).

Licensed Counselor Duties and Responsibilities:

• Complete arson specific assessments on patients with fire setting/arson history. This assessment is used to aide patients in their transition back into a community setting. 
• Deliver specialized Arson/Fires Setting Related trauma programming via individual counseling and/or scheduled group counseling in accordance with established performance standards including groups/counseling.
• Document service delivery and resident progress on a weekly basis, completed in accordance with established standards and time frames. 
• Documenting all patient contacts using established formats within established time frames; and other duties related to primary care of assigned residents as directed.
• Provide training and consultation to NSH staff on clinical methods and procedures related to the arson population.
• Administer tests and assessments within scope of licensure, certification, and training. 
• Attend and actively participate in staff meetings, case conferences, case presentations, staff development meetings and training activities.
• Provide clinical support and back up to other clinical staff as needed, including state hospital clinical staffing.
• Work cooperatively in weekly individual clinical and administrative supervision with the Clinical Director and/or Psychiatric Supervisor (if necessary). 
• Perform administrative duties including documentation of work hours, correspondence and coordination with other clinical and facility staff, etc.
• Document inappropriate or dangerous behavior as requested of staff if that behavior puts the residents either in danger or serves to present poor role modeling.
• Identify existing resources within Pennsylvania to provide aftercare support services for Act 21 and state hospital clients with sexual offending behaviors.
• Participate in the development and implementation of protocols, including safety plans for discharge planning and continued community care for those individuals with sexually aberrant behaviors.
• Assist in the development and implementation of individualized aftercare plans for patients nearing discharge, including participation in Community Support Plans (CSPs).

Licensed Counselor Knowledge and Skills:

• Prior clinical experience working with patients with Arson/Fire Setting behaviors

• Familiarity with Arson risk assessment, recidivism and measurement and treatment of deviant arousal patterns

• Familiarity with relevant research literature, clinical assessments, procedures, and methods, particularly those designed for Arson behaviors.

• Ability to instruct others in the implementation of therapeutic and behavioral interventions and procedures.

• Excellent listening and verbal communication skills.

• Familiarity with the diagnostic nomenclature outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual.

• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and the ability to establish rapport and maintain objectivity with a sex offender population.

• Appreciation of the need for and ability to maintain appropriate personal boundaries in working with inpatient Forensic populations.

• Investment in expanding current skills/knowledge and to the transfer of this knowledge to other staff, state/county officials, and other clinicians.

• Ability to form and maintain good working relationships with a diverse staff and a commitment to enhancing cultural competency.

• Ability to effectively network with state and county officials.

Please Contact:

Katherine Skelton

586-710-0022