Residential Therapist

Requisition # : req14921

Location: Grand Rapids, MI

Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week)

Pay Range: $24-$31/hour

At Bethany Christian Services, we believe families provide the strongest foundation for care and connection. That's why we focus on strengthening and empowering families, always advocating for family-centered solutions to keep children safe. Our work began in 1944 with the care of a single child. Today, inspired by our faith, our aim is to demonstrate the love and compassion of Jesus in our services for children, youth, and families. Working at Bethany means joining a team of nearly 2,000 dedicated professionals with diverse skills, serving communities across the country. Together, we’re united in our mission and these shared values: we’re motivated by our faith, we support one another, we champion justice, we pursue excellence, and we’re in it for the long haul.

The Residential Treatment Program is committed to providing the highest quality care and supervision to the youth being served. To ensure that quality exists, the program only employs personnel with good moral character, emotional stability, and of sufficient health, ability, experience and education to perform the duties assigned.

Residential Therapists facilitate and provide direct clinical services to youth, consult with other professionals involved with the resident or his family to ensure coordination of treatment services. The Residential Therapist is accountable for providing case management services, documentation, and coordination of services between residential staff and clinical services.

This position is expected to function effectively with limited supervision while following the guidelines given on procedures, along with agency, federal, and state regulatory requirements.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Provide group therapy to residents twice per week in coordination with co- therapist staff;
• Provide individual therapy services on a regularly scheduled basis as clinically indicated or to meet contract requirements;
• Accountable for the case management of residents (caseload of 6 by plan) to ensure best services are provided and progress is made;
• Attend and document pertinent case management meetings and court hearings;
• Coordinate program services (i.e. medical, education, psychological testing, psychiatric evaluation) directly or through consultation with other service providers or staff;
• Arrange Review Conferences as needed with program staff, referring or current case managers, parent, guardian or family members and child (when appropriate);
• Provide family therapy and education to the resident's families. Offer therapy a minimum of twice per month with scheduling flexibility to meet the families' needs. Fully supportive of family engagement;
• Communicate with families regarding the resident's status or progress in the program. Review resident's group assignments in the family sessions at completion of group venue;
• Inform parents of any emergencies and discuss the implications regarding their child (i.e. running away, suicide attempts) in a timely manner;
• Attend staff meetings to ensure effective service coordination;
• Participate in unit leadership meetings;
• Complete case documentation required including progress notes, Quarterly Reports, court reports, discharge planning reports and reports required by licensing department of MDHHS;
• Facilitate designated aspects of resident's placement, ensuring client records are complete, child is supported in entering the residential program, and given information necessary to adjust to program;
• Establish a discharge plan for resident and assist resident with developing a support system in his home community. Discharge planning is done in conjunction with residential treatment program's treatment team, other professionals, and resident's family;
• Meet monthly with supervisor to consult on cases;
• Complete fifty hours of training within the first year and twenty-five hours training each year following;
• Participate in on-call system as dictated by program needs, approximately once every four weeks;
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social work, human services, drug and alcohol, education, counseling, psychology, or criminal justice;
• Active professional licensure in the State of Michigan;
• Ability to pass required medical examinations and to have physical ability to fulfill essential functions, including physical restraints of a resident;
• Pass a TB test annually and document preference to receive or decline Hepatitis immunization;
• Possess the ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary team;
• Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills;
• Demonstrate excellent clinical, therapeutic, and crisis intervention skills;
• Knowledge of basic research methodology;
• Computer skills sufficient to perform essential functions;
• Two years post-masters experience (preferred);
• Experience with youth with sexual behavior problems (preferred);
• Experience providing trauma treatment (preferred);
• Computer skills sufficient to perform essential functions including knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite;
• Must be 21 years old with a valid driver's license with at least 3 years driving experience in the U.S. to operate a vehicle on behalf of Bethany;
• Must pass a Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) check and maintain a reliable vehicle with proof of adequate coverage;
• Pass a criminal history screen, including state and local child protection agency registries;
• Subscription to and integration of the agency Statement of Faith, Mission Statement, and Commitment to Unity.