JOB DESCRIPTION - Therapist

Position: Therapist

Wage: $24.00/hour to $24.96/hour

Reports to: Clinical Manager

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt/Exempt (based on License & experience)

Location: Visalia, CA

Supervises: N/A

Department: Counseling Center

Language: English

About Family Services: We are a private nonprofit organization, founded in 1983. Family Services helps children, adults, and families heal from violence and thrive in healthy relationships. We serve victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, child abuse, and other trauma through shelter, mental health services, and comprehensive support services. Our prevention programs also help stop the cycle of abuse. We are a private, nonprofit organization working to build a community of safe homes, safe relationships, and safe children—which means a safer, healthier community for everyone. Family Services offers salary and highly competitive benefits (medical, dental, vision, life, vacation, sick, retirement), commensurate with experience and skills. Family Services is highly committed to diversity and a workplace environment that respects, appreciates, and values employees from all backgrounds. Learn more: www.fstc.net.

Summary: The therapist works independently, resolves problems on the basis of past precedent; exercises judgment in interpreting guidelines and applicability; and ensures deadlines are met. The therapist plans and carries out various stages of a project by selecting and pursuing approved methods and techniques as appropriate. Assignments are reviewed for quality and compliance with established policies and procedures.

Role Assignment: The current assignment is to provide therapeutic services, primarily to adult victims of violence, along with facilitating groups.   The assignment will also include participating in individual as well as group supervision, completing assessments, writing case notes and treatment plans, and completing all documentation as required by the agency and program. This position may require some travel in Tulare County.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provide individual, family, or group treatment interventions at assigned Family Services or community-based locations.
• Complete comprehensive assessments utilizing a range of assessment tools.  Develop case treatment plans and outcome evaluation measures linked to the assessment.
• Counsels clients and/or their families to facilitate achieving service plan goals, developing life skills, and/or sustaining financial stability, conducts activities, and monitors the service environment in a manner to maximize client success and well-being.
• Work as an effective team member; function independently and exercise sound judgment and initiative. Work effectively with managers, co-workers, members of the public, and professional groups; to manage and coordinate activities and projects.
• Review literature and attend training to maintain current knowledge of evidence-based practice and research covering theory, treatment, dynamics, and effects of trauma, abuse, exposure to violence, and other adverse childhood experiences on child and adolescent functioning and development.
• Applies new techniques and principles gained from reading professional literature and collaborates with other professionals; devises or adapts techniques of assessment and treatment procedures for a variety of situations.
• Review literature and attend training to maintain current knowledge of evidence-based practice and research covering the diagnosis and treatment of DSM-5 disorders and conditions.
• Meet or interface with school personnel, CWS, other collateral contacts, systems or agencies that impact the client to include participation in multi-disciplinary or inter-agency meetings.
• Composes or prepares correspondence, case notes, narrative and technical reports, notifications, and related documents using computer-based applications.
• Complete required case records, forms and reports.  Maintain confidentiality of all records.
• Maintain knowledge and comply with the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA) and other reporting laws that supersede client confidentiality. 

Other Responsibilities: 

• Works with community partners to maximize assistance for clients.
• Provide training or educational presentations to other professionals or community groups.
• Maintain awareness of the influence of ethnicity and culture on the child and contribute to maximizing the accessibility of services to all client populations.
• May assist with program marketing or outreach.
• Composes or prepares correspondence, case notes, narrative and technical reports, notifications, and related documents using computer-based applications.
• Conduct comprehensive, client-centered social work activities in accordance with best practices.
• Must demonstrate compassion, especially when clients are experiencing complex issues or in crisis.
• Stay up-to-date on community resources and procedures for referring clients to appropriate resources internal and external.
• Prepare required quarterly and annual reports.
• Attend clinical supervision sessions and maintain continuing education units as required.
• May refer clients to other emergency assistance providers.
• Perform all tasks in a safe manner to avoid injury to self and others.
• Adhere to agency policies and protocols and to codes of ethical and legal standards of the profession.
• Adherence to policies related to HIPAA, confidentiality, information sharing, and appropriate use of the agency-client database and all printed or digital material.
• Be available to accept new assignments as needed. Performs other duties and assumes other responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor or Leadership Team.
• Follow federal, state, and local legal guidelines for evidence base and best practices. 
• Follow license criteria when licensure applies and update with human resources.

Qualifications:

• Education: Master’s degree from an accredited social work, counseling, or psychology program with an emphasis on clinical practice. 
• Licensure: Proof of licensure as an LCSW or LMFT, or of registered associate status.
• Experience: One year of client services or case management, preferably in a social service or health-related agency. Ability to communicate effectively with a diverse audience. Knowledge of social work and counseling practices and techniques, including crisis prevention and intervention. Must have experience with Microsoft Office Suite & ability to work on online platforms. Must demonstrate compassion, especially when clients are experiencing complex issues or in crisis. Must demonstrate cultural competence, to understand and value clients’ unique values and perspectives.
• Language: Bilingual/bicultural in Spanish may be required for specific positions.
• Transportation: California Driver’s License, availability of automobile for business use, and at least minimum auto liability insurance as required by law.
• Additional Requirement: Must receive clearance from the Department of Justice Criminal Record Offender Information database.

Physical Demands & Working Environment:

• Environment: Standard office; tempera occasional travel from site to site; occasional exposure to the sun, moderate heat, noise, dust, and fumes; stressful calls/situations. Requires the kind of teamwork, supervision, and personal interaction, that cannot be had in a home office situation; therefore, regular and predictable on-site attendance is a job requirement.
• Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to work in an office setting and field environment including occasional travel to various locations; sit for prolonged periods; stand for brief periods; climb 3-5 stairs; operate modern office equipment. Work requires lifting, stooping, bending, stretching, walking, standing, pushing, pulling, reaching, and other physical exertion.  Lift up to 25 lbs.
• Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents and to operate the equipment.
• Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.
• REASONING ABILITY: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations. Requires formulating the combination of overall job functions in order to address highly diverse or novel situations requiring new concepts and imaginative approaches to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Family Services is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The conditions described above must be met by an employee to successfully perform the job’s essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.  

Note: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the person assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, and physical demands required of personnel so classified.  

To Apply: Complete our online application below or download and submit an employment application with a resume and cover letter by e-mail: hr@fstc.net