ECHO Therapist I

Job Summary

Based in Chicago Pilsen neighborhood and under the assigned supervisor, the ECHO Therapist works to alleviate or stabilize mental health dysfunction of selected clients, which impairs their ability to adjust to home, community integration, or maintain living stability; provides therapeutic services to individuals, families or groups regarding psychological or emotional problems. These therapeutic services are performed in therapeutic settings by performing the following duties: develops assessment and treatment planning for clients and may oversee the coordination of clinical interventions of team members.

Responsibilities

• Assess and evaluate mental health needs as outlined by program policy and funder requirements.
• Complete mental health assessments and coordinate treatment plans using program/funder required assessment tools.
• Provide individual and family mental health psychotherapy services to children and their identified families, including dyadic therapy for families with children 0-5, to promote positive cognitive, behavioral or psychological changes as identified in the treatment plan.
• Provide early childhood mental health consultation to classrooms, family childcare providers, home educators, and other community-based providers to support children with social, emotional, and behavioral challenges.
• Assist the Start Early Mental Health Coordinator and Early Head Start program in providing internal and external trainings, as available.
• Provide crisis intervention to youth and families and psychoeducation regarding specific clinical needs of youth. Document all services rendered and any significant interactions using agency/program required and funder guidelines and submit to supervisor in required time frames. This includes ensuring regular and consistent documentation of clinical visits in the agency data system and client files.
• Maintain confidentiality of clients and obtain/maintain legal releases of information, as needed.
• Comply with all applicable federal, state, and county regulations, policies and procedures.
• Participate in decision-making related to youth’s care and treatment by attending internal and external clinical staffings and advocating for clients’ emotional and physical well-being.
• Conduct observations and consultations in a home visiting setting to meet client’s mental health and social emotional needs.
• Communicate pertinent events/aspects of a youth’s case with all team members on an ongoing basis.
• Assist with identification and linkage for children in center-based, home-based, and community-based settings who would benefit from infant and early childhood mental health interventions/services that cannot otherwise be provided by Therapist.
• Provide psychoeducation about development, trauma and strategies that support children’s emotional well-being to caregivers including parents and educators.
• Work with mothers within our home visiting program who may be experiencing postpartum depression and/or depression and anxiety.
• Adhere to Code of Ethics for Child Welfare Professionals, as well as ethical standards designated by any other ethical code one is professionally obligated to, e.g., ACA Code of Ethics, NASW Code of Ethics.
• Participate in individual supervision on a weekly basis and team meetings on a monthly basis – this also includes attending group supervision, case reviews, and trainings, as needed.
• Commit to providing evidence-based, trauma-informed services by attending and utilizing trainings on relevant and approved treatment modalities.
• Collaborate with other clinical staff on the development and presentation of trainings for staff and families based on relevant psychological topics.
• Administer various assessments, including program specifically required clinical tools to identify behavioral and mental health symptoms and diagnoses and review results to evaluate client needs.
• Maintain the highest ethical standards in keeping with professional affiliations and demonstrates ability to perform strength-oriented practice.
• Provide comprehensive and initial diagnostic assessment of all referred clients utilizing interviews and well-recognized criteria.
• Develop and implement treatment plans using a variety of generally accepted intervention techniques to address areas of assessed need.
• Plan and administer therapeutic treatment, such as behavior modification and stress management therapy, to assist patient in controlling disorders and other problems.
• Regularly discusses progress toward goals with client and families and encourages client/family feedback and client/family ownership of outcomes.
• Ensure there is a medical rule out of symptoms and coordinates the approach with medical and other providers serving the client.
• Adapt clinical methodology to the needs of the client using an evaluative tool and client feedback approach to ensure client service is meeting needs, and as needs change, adapts method and degree of therapy.
• Integrate all services provided by serving as a central point of communication for all mental health related services, supportive services treatment and counseling.
• Maintain comprehensive client file with progress/process notes, completing assessments and quarterly reports, closing summaries, preparing reports for court as needed, testifying in court as needed, and participating in multidisciplinary staffing as needed.
• Provide community education services, consultation as assigned, and crisis intervention as needed.
• Develop collaborative relationships with staff and other programs both within and outside of the agency.
• Represent agency at court hearings and Child and Family Team meetings and monitor client progress and periodically reassess client's level of functioning as necessary, utilizing standard clinical instruments as well as diagnostic and statistical manual as required (minimally every 6 months).
• Take a protective role in overall service by ensuring integration of clients' other providers by including them in the service planning.
• Conduct relaxation exercises, peer counseling groups, and family counseling during clinical therapy sessions. Collaborate with key partner agencies for referrals, and parental support; ensure successful partnership and documentation of outcomes.
• Staff must believe in and act in accordance with both the agency's and the program’s mission statements. Potential travel between Waukegan Busy Bee and Bridgeport Centers, as needed.
• In accordance with our “team” philosophy, staff may occasionally be required to carry out or assist with other tasks in addition to the duties listed on this job description/perform other related duties as needed
  
  

Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s degree in counseling or related field. Staff providing services will be supervised and managed by staff who possess at least the minimum qualifications/credentials as required by applicable State of Illinois law(s) and regulations(s).
• Preferred: 18 hours of ECE Coursework and/or 120 hours of childcare, classroom observation or in-the-field work within a licensed childcare center or school.
  
  

Experience

• 1-2 years of related experience preferred
• Certification/Licensure: LCSW or LCPC or LCSW/LCPC Eligible
• Others: Driver's License
  
  

Required Skills

• Proficient in Word-processing software, email, and internet applications
• Ability to handle stress well and effectively de-escalate crises
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence
• Excellent written and verbal clinical skills
• Ability to respond immediately to multiple or unexpected situations or emergencies
• Ability to maintain mental and physical alertness and an appropriate level of energy
• Demonstrated ability to utilize analytical thinking and handle decisions
• Team-oriented
  
  

We Invest in You!

• Tuition assistance up to $2500 per year
• Up to 4 weeks paid Vacation Days; up to 6 paid Personal Days and up to 5 paid Sick days annually
• Medical, dental, vision, 403b Retirement, flexible spending accounts, health savings account, and short-term disability options
• Agency paid life up to $50K based on salary
• Voluntary Supplemental Life for Employee, Spouse, and Child(ren)
• Voluntary Legal Plans
• Agency paid long term after 1 year of employment
• Career ladders, professional development, and promotion opportunities
• Free LCSW and LCPC Supervision hours available in some locations
  
  

A Different Kind Of Employer One Hope United is strong and ready to grow. Are you ready to grow with us?

• 800 talented professionals strong, serving 10,000 children and families in Illinois, Missouri, and Florida
• Fiscally stable, $50 Million agency-- strong since 1895
• Energetic leadership and a rich community of support
  
  

One Hope United does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. One Hope United is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug-Free Workplace. OHU participates in eVerify.

In the spirit of caring for one another and our community, please note that upon accepting an offer of employment from One Hope United, you will be required to share proof of a Covid-19 vaccination. The requirement is subject to accommodation in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

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