Mobile Therapist

Job Description

Job Description

Position Title: Mobile Therapist

Reports to: Clinical Administrative Manager/Clinical Coordinator (as assigned)

Department:

Administration Adoption Behavior Health HBDS IPS PEP Foster Care TIPS AERC

Program:

FLSA Status: Exempt

Non-exempt

Fee-For-Service

Location: Coulter Street

POSITION SUMMARY

A Mobile Therapist (MT) delivers child centered, family-focused psychotherapy utilizing evidence-based modalities as described in the child’s Individual Treatment Plan (ITP). Services are delivered in the home or community setting within the Intensive Behavioral Health Services (IBHS) program. Therapy is focused on resiliency factors and connection to community-based supports as identified by the treatment team. The MT utilizes a strengths-based approach to empower children with emotional and behavioral needs to thrive and to help the child and family reach their goals. Mobile therapy services consist of individual therapy, family therapy, development and revision of the ITP (as needed), assistance with crisis stabilization and assistance with addressing problems the child, youth or young adult has encountered.

• Provide evidence-based, skill-based psychotherapy in the home/community environment respectful to the child/family schedule and as prescribed medically necessary services based on clinical need.
• Collaborate with other members of the treatment team in order to design and direct the implementation of an individualized treatment plan (ITP) to be implemented in the child’s natural setting(s).
• Develop a trusting partnership with the child, family members and other team members.
• Ensure clinical interventions are properly formulated and implemented.
• Observe child in the home/school/community setting as part of the initial assessment (as assigned) in preparation for designing the individualized treatment plan and implementation of the written order.
• Develop ITP (as designated) to instruct other members of the therapeutic team (including teacher, teacher’s aides, other school personnel, family, and/or other designated individuals providing direct service or supports to the child) in their roles and responsibilities in implementing the established interventions.
• Complete and submit accurate and timely documentation which includes but is not limited to: Individualized Treatment Plans (ITP), Encounter Forms, Progress Notes, Progress Summaries (as assigned), Addendums (as assigned), Crisis/Safety Plans, Assessments (as assigned), Structured Tools, Incident Reports, Discharge Summaries (as assigned), etc. by assigned deadlines.
• Supervision Requirements:
  • MT clinicians who provide services must receive at least one hour of individual face-to-face supervision per month which includes oversight of the following: The interventions being implemented, the child’s, youth’s, or young adult’s progress towards the goals of the ITP, consideration of adjustments needed to the ITP and the staff person’s skill in implementing the interventions in the ITP.
  • If the individual who provides MT services supervises BHT treatment team members, the MT must receive the following supervision in addition to the above: One hour of face-to-face supervision per month which must include a discussion of the BHT services being provided.
  • On-Site Supervision Requirement: MT clinicians who provide services must receive 30 minutes of direct observation of the services being provided every 6 months.
  • MTs must complete at least 40 hours of training within the first year and 20 hours each year thereafter. These training hours must be Department-approved and related to the specific job functions and in accordance with their individual training plan. The training hours will also include mandatory agency and/or funder or state requirements.
  • Valid Act 34, Act 151 and Act 114 clearances.

EDUCATION/CREDENTIALS/ EXPERIENCE

As taken from Annex A, Title 55: Human Services, Part III: Medical Assistance Manual, Chapter 1155: Intensive Behavior Health Services General Provisions, individuals who provide individual services through mobile therapy services shall meet one of the following:

• Be licensed in this Commonwealth as a psychologist, professional counselor, marriage and family therapist or clinical social worker.
• Be licensed in this Commonwealth as a social worker or a behavior specialist and have a graduate degree that required a clinical or mental health direct service practicum from a college or university accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or have an equivalent degree from a foreign college or university that has been evaluated by the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. or the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. The Department will accept a general equivalency report from the listed evaluator agencies to verify a foreign degree or its equivalency.
• Have a minimum of 1 year of full-time experience in providing mental health direct services to children, youth or young adults and a graduate degree with at least nine credits specific to clinical practice in psychology, social work or counseling from a college or university accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or an equivalent degree from a foreign college or university that has been evaluated by the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. or the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. The Department will accept a general equivalency report from the listed evaluator agencies to verify a foreign degree or its equivalency.
• Completed a clinical or mental health direct service practicum and have a graduate degree with a least nine credits specific to clinical practice in psychology, social work, education, counseling or a related field from a college or university accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or have an equivalent degree from a foreign college or university that has been evaluated by the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. or the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. The Department will accept a general equivalency report from the listed evaluator agencies to verify a foreign degree or its equivalency.

SKILLS

• Ability to write and complete timely and clinical sound reports.

• Ability to handle and maintain confidential information.

• Ability to handle multiple priorities, tasks, projects, and assignments.

• Ability to communicate with coworkers, administration, clients, vendors, and others in courteous and professional manner always.

• Ability to present oneself in a professional appearance and manner at all times.

• Ability to work independently as well as with management and staff teams.

• Excellent oral & written communication skills.

• Proficient in MS Office and/or other Windows based or common office applications; familiarity with Electronic Medical Records (EMR) a plus.

• Ability to effectively communicate in a verbal and/or written manner.

• Ability to read and interpret clinical documents.

• A valid driver’s license with access to an automobile, preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

• Ability to stand, to walk, and to negotiate steps/stairs several times a day. While performing the essential duties of this job, the individual is regularly required to use hands to finger; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear.

• Be able to occasionally lift up to 20 lbs.

Contributing to the team

• Participates in meetings (including evaluations/written orders, medication appointments and ISPT’s) for collaboration purposes to monitor progress and resiliency of clients to prepare for discharge.
• Models traits of a responsible team member, executing job responsibilities, open communication, good follow through; supports team members to do the same.
• Responds promptly to the concerns and interests of the child, parents, guardians and funding entities, and other JJC staff whether in person, via email or phone.

Administrative activities

• Ensures an active internet connection, as email and online documentation are the main forms of communication between the field staff and the Behavioral Health Administration.
• Ensures compliance with all JJC’s policies and procedures, including confidentiality and reporting suspected abuse in accordance with CPSL, 23 Pa.C.S. § § 6301—6385, and JJC policies and procedures