Psychological Services Associate 1 (Local Government)-Bedford County MH/ID

This Psychological Services Associate will provide outpatient services in the Bedford County Outpatient Program which includes the School Based Counseling Program and Outpatient group therapy sessions. This position may also serve as a therapist for Adult Mobile Mental Health Services.
 
Under the guidance of the supervisor, Outpatient Services duties include:

• Providing individual therapy, family therapy, couples counseling, and group counseling to people of all ages utilizing various professional techniques

• Collaborating with each client and documenting within the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) a strengths-based, goal-specific treatment plan

• Performing Therapy Diagnostic Evaluations in order to enroll clientele in counseling and psychiatric services as well as to assess areas of need that might be effectively addressed by other mental health programs and services

• Making medically necessary referrals to other programs as warranted

• Coordinating care with other staff in order to assure the highest quality of services and to facilitate appropriate referrals

• As needed, coordinating care with the Crisis Intervention staff in an effort facilitate crisis assessments related to voluntary hospitalizations when necessary

• Attending meetings, participating in staff development trainings, and assisting with presentations/trainings to community organizations as needed

• Providing group, individual, and play therapy to children and adolescents in the school
• Formulating treatment plans and maintaining consumer records
• Providing consultation and education to school personnel, community individuals, and agencies relating to mental health issues and resources
• Completing on-site school mental health assessments and intakes for students identified by the school
• Assessing student needs and completing appropriate referrals
• Coordinating with Crisis Intervention staff in handling mental health emergencies in schools

• Providing outpatient group therapy sessions to clientele in 60-90 minutes sessions focusing on topics that promote self-care, self-management, and self-recovery
• Completing progress notes, treatment plans, assessments, coordination of care notes as required

• Serving as primary therapist providing services in consumer homes
• Providing individual, martial, and family therapy utilizing diversified professional techniques
• Establishing a written goal-specific treatment plan and completing up to date clinical notes in the chart

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• This position reports to the DBHS Office for work.
• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Hours must be adjusted as needed based upon consumer requests for evening appointments.
• On occasion, staff may need to work hours outside of the set work week to complete projects, meet work demands, or in the event of an emergency.
• New staff will be on probation for 6 months.
• New staff may be eligible for a hybrid of on-site and remote work after 3-months of employment.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• A master’s degree in psychology or a closely related field. 
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Other Requirements:

• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements: 

• You must pass a background investigation.
• This position falls under the provisions of the Older Adult Protective Services Act.
  • Under the Act, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports, including but not limited to, PA State Police and FBI clearance.
• This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.
  • Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. 
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Veterans: 

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.employment.pa.gov/Additional Info/Pages/default.aspx and click the Veterans’ Preference tab or contact us at ra-cs-vetpreference@pa.gov.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS): 

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date. 

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions. 
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.

Salary : $42,530