CAT Therapist (Wakulla, Liberty, and Franklin) #2806

Description

Apalachee Center, Inc. is best known for helping individuals and families of North Florida succeed in recovering from emotional, psychiatric, and substance abuse crises. Apalachee Center, Inc. provides comprehensive behavioral health services across 8 counties (Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Taylor, and Wakulla Counties).

Apalachee Center, Inc. offers competitive benefits for our full-time positions to include health, dental, vision, basic life insurance, long term disability, paid time off, and more.

Overview:

The purpose of CAT therapeutic services is to provide home and community based behavior management and support services to youth and families at risk. The primary goal of the therapist is to develop specific behavior treatment plan that addresses the challenging behaviors of the youth in order to optimize the functioning of recipients who have complex needs by coordinating the provision of quality treatment and support services in the most efficient and effective manner. Services and service frequency should accurately reflect the individual needs, goals, and abilities of each recipient.

ESSENTIAL/CORE JOB-SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES  

1. Assessments:  Complete comprehensive assessment of individual youth strengths and needs. Include review of family factors important to successful youth functioning. Contacts others (family and other providers, with appropriate consent) to provide information for the assessment as appropriate.  Updates required assessments in accordance with Client Record Handbook guidelines. Finalizes all documents in Avatar and turn in all assessment within 48 hours. 
2. Home Visits:  Conducts home visits prior to completion of the intake assessment process to evaluate the safety and well being of the client in the setting the client resides in unless staffed with supervisor and written justification is provided in the record as to why the home visit could not be made.  Utilizes laptop as appropriate. Meets at least 85% compliance with home visit requirements on Clinical Reviews conducted during rating period.
3. Client Service Plans:  Develops individualized service plans that include measurable goals and objectives in partnership with the youth and their families.  Complete service plans and reviews that address both youth and family factors. Assist with the implementation of the service plan with emphasis on helping family members achieve autonomy in meeting youth and family needs.  Updates service plans at least every 3 months or at any time significant changes occur in the client’s condition, situation, or circumstances (e.g., hospitalizations, achievement of goals, etc). 
4. Therapeutic Services:  Provide individual, family and group treatment to help reflecting on issues to aid youth and families make positive changes. Plans and administers therapeutic treatment, behavioral modification and stress management therapy to assist youth in developing/displaying appropriate behaviors. Work with youth and families toward the implementation of the treatment plan by teaching and modeling with emphasis on helping youth and family members achieve resilience and autonomy. Follows-up on the client’s services to determine the status of the client’s services and the effectiveness of the service plan towards enhancing the client’s inclusion in the community. 
5. Progress Notes:  Documents all services provided in the client record in accordance with Client Record Handbook Guidelines.  Documentation must be finalized in Avatar within 48 hours from the time the service was rendered. Progress notes must be detailed and clearly reflect how the case manager’s efforts are linked to the services and goals in the client’s service plan and the client’s progress or lack of progress relative to the service plan.

Qualifications

Education/Experience: 

• Master's degree in psychology, social work, mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy or related human services discipline and minimum of two years of experience working with children or adolescents with behavioral health needs and/or who have serious emotional disturbance and their families.

Licensure or Certification:

• Must have a valid Florida driver’s license and meet all Center requirements for vehicle operations and transportation of clients in Center and non-Center vehicles.
• Maintain Apalachee Designated Auto Driver status.

Salary : $26 - $28