Residential Therapist

Position Title: Residential Therapist

Department: Residential 

Reports to: Residential Clinical Director

Position Objective and Summary:

Under the supervision of the Residential Clinical Director, the Therapist provides individual, group and family psychotherapy services to clients while utilizing UCAN’s Clinical Philosophy.  The Therapist facilitates healing through Trauma Informed practice and Positive Youth Development.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Assessment and Service Planning

• Performs diagnostic tests and evaluation of clients referred for services; interviews clients and individuals closely related to clients such as family members.
• Evaluates test results; plans treatment program and approaches.
• Effectively applies clinical knowledge to evaluate client situations and needs
• Develops clear and specific ITP goals for each client based upon his/her individual needs which are updated to meet client needs every quarter
• Identifies at-risk clients and behaviors

Therapeutic Intervention

• Effectively conducts individual, family and group psychotherapy
• Successfully engages and develops rapport with a wide range of clients
• Utilizes clinical knowledge and skills to provide appropriate and evidenced based therapies
• Structures therapy sessions in accordance with ITP goals
• Creates a therapeutic environment by providing adequate, varied, culturally competent and developmentally appropriate activities/materials
• Maintains consistency, boundaries, and safety throughout the session

Planning and Organization

• Plans time effectively and efficiently to meet all job commitments
• Keeps information organized as to quickly respond to information requests about their clients
• Organizes caseload to meet expected level of billable contacts on a monthly basis
• Effectively balances multiple responsibilities on multiple teams
• Obtains and evaluates information necessary to implement client services.
• Responds in a timely manner to all written correspondence, email and phone call inquiries regarding clients

Building Relationships and Networks

• Consults with supervisor, case manager, RTS, and other psychotherapists and consulting psychiatrists on details of cases and treatment plans.
• Contacts other social service agencies, schools, hospitals, courts and public mental health organizations; makes referrals or obtains case-related information.
• Contacts caseworkers assigned to client or client’s family; discusses progress of case; obtains case-related information.
• Works effectively with other team members in a multi-disciplinary setting
• Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with other social service agencies, schools, courts, etc.
• Provides timely information to teachers, probation officers and others as needed
• Regularly consults with caseworkers regarding client progress
• Actively listens to others and their points of view and treats others with sensitivity.

Documentation and Reporting

• Notifies case manager and supervisor of critical incidents, problems, concerns, and needs in a timely manner.
• Clearly documents actions taken in a timely manner and in a format consistent with legal requirements
• Completes all documentation, reports and correspondence in a timely manner
• Concisely and professionally writes clinical documentation and reports that accurately reflect clinical interventions and progress made in the therapeutic process.
• Delivers written information to appropriate parties
• Maintains accurate, complete and timely client records as required by ucan policy and procedures.
• Reports client progress in court proceedings through clear written reports submitted as required, and through accurate verbal testimony when required.
• Enters updates and maintains accurate data in the Evolv database, as required.
• Reports all possible critical incidents and unusual incidents to supervisor, management, or DCFS as required by ucan or by mandated reporting law.

Professionalism and Work Conduct

• Behaves with integrity, demonstrates high ethical standards, and displays a positive image of UCAN.
• Acts in a professional manner at all times and maintains appropriate boundaries with clients.
• Demonstrates accountability for results and keeps commitments to others
• Reports to work, meetings, training, and job related activities prepared and as scheduled
• Demonstrates openness and respect for cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and coworkers
• Understands and supports UCAN’s standard of cultural proficiency and strives to meet it
• Responds to clients and their families, UCAN staff, DCFS, service providers and other stakeholders in a timely manner and ensures follow up to adequately address their need.
• Performs other related tasks as required or assigned

Education/Job Experience/Certification:

Therapist I

• MSW or MA/MS in Human Services/Psychology/Counseling Required.
• 0-2 years of experience providing therapy in a clinical or related setting.
• Two (2) years of experience in child and adolescent individual and group therapy.
• LPC or LSW a plus.

Special Knowledge and Qualifications:

• Is open and respectful of cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and is willing and competent to work with a diverse client population.
• Has an understanding of trauma-informed practice
• Has an understanding of Positive Youth Development.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Working knowledge of the child welfare system.
• Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary setting
• Ability to work both independently and a part of a high functioning team.
• Experience and ability to use computers for data entry, communication and report writing
• Car and valid Illinois driver’s license and insurance required.
• Ability to transport children in accordance with IDCFS regulations.