School Centered Therapist

Lutheran Social Services (LSS) is a private, non-profit, human service agency providing a variety of services throughout Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. Over the years, LSS has grown to become one of the largest human service agencies in the two state area serving more than 125,000 clients annually. We are looking for passionate, mission-driven individuals like you to help provide services including outpatient behavioral health management, international, domestic and special needs adoptions, older adult services, support services for children, youth and families, community corrections programs and support services for adults with disabilities and/or mental health concerns.

Motivated by the compassion of Christ, we help people improve the quality of their lives. Does this describe your personal mission statement? Are you motivated to serve by sharing your talents? If you would like to help us achieve our mission, please apply for the following opportunity.

Description

Are you looking for an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of youth? Do you enjoy working with adolescents and providing access to mental health services to youth in your local community? Then we want you to join our School Centered Mental Health team

Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan is seeking a School Centered Therapist in Training for our School Centered Mental Health Program. Since our foundation in 1882, we have dedicated ourselves to achieving our vision, a healthy community filled with people using their God-given gifts in service of others. How we achieve that vision reflects in our mission statement and how we act on a day-to-day basis, Act Compassionately, Serve Humbly, and Lead Courageously.

The School Centered Therapist - in training performs clinical assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of children and families with mental health, substance use, or co-occurring disorders with the support and guidance of licensed counselors. Services may be included in the community as well as community settings. A Candidate who is Bilingual in Spanish and English is preferred.

This role will serve varying locations within MPS district as well as work in our office at 6737 W Washington Street. The hours for this role are typically between 7:15am-3pm but may vary depending on the needs of clients.

This is a full time, benefits eligible opportunity

Examples of services Expected may include (These are examples, not all inclusive, and all services may not be provided by an individual employee.):

• Psychotherapy - Psychotherapy includes the diagnosis and treatment of mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders, conditions, or addictions through the application of methods derived from established psychological or systemic principles for the purpose of assisting people in modifying their behaviors, cognitions, emotions, and other personal characteristics, which may include the purpose of understanding unconscious processes or intrapersonal, interpersonal, or psychosocial dynamics. Psychotherapy may be provided in an individual or group setting.
• Individual and/or Family Psychoeducation - Psychoeducation services include:
  
  • Providing education and information resources about the member's mental health and/or substance abuse issues.
  • Skills training.
  • Problem solving.
  • Ongoing guidance about managing and coping with mental health and/or substance abuse issues.
  • Social and emotional support for dealing with mental health and/or substance abuse issues.
  • Psychoeducation may be provided individually or in a group setting to the member or the member's family and natural supports (i.e., anyone the member identifies as being supportive in his or her recovery and/or resilience process).
    
• Individual Skill Development and Enhancement - Individual skill development and enhancement services include training in communication, interpersonal skills, problem solving, decision-making, self-regulation, conflict resolution, and other specific needs identified in the member's service plan. Services also include training in daily living skills related to personal care, household tasks, financial management, transportation, shopping, parenting, accessing and connecting to community resources and services (including health care services), and other specific daily living needs identified in the member's service plan.
• Participation on recovery teams. (provide feedback around service delivery and progress)
  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities, as management may deem necessary from time to time.

• Provides assigned services to clients in alignment with the service plan.
• Provides individual, couples, family, and/or group psychotherapy services to adult and/or child/minor clients in a school, office, out-of-home care setting and/or home setting.
• Conducts assessments of client needs using clinical interview, objective diagnostic tools, and collateral contacts.
• Develops treatment plans collaboratively with clients and other providers.
• Provide agreed upon and necessary therapeutic services in keeping with strength-based, evidence-based best practice standards.
• Complete required documentation within required timelines and expectations per LSS, regulation, payers, and practice standards.
• Maintains client records.
• Makes recommendations within the client team and scope of practice.
• Testify at legal proceedings as required by law and/or role.
• Attend client/recovery team meetings.
• Attends and participates in staff development programs, including in-service training, staff meetings, and professional seminars.
• Within your scope of practice, provide consultation to peers.
• Actively participate in clinical supervision meetings as required to meet best practice and licensure standards.
• Work a flexible weekly schedule that includes some evening and/or weekend hours for client appointments. Work directly with Program Supervisor or Manager to set expectations for scheduling clients. Schedule is based on client need.
• Expected to understand productivity expectations and meet those standards that have been established for the role and the program.
• Performs other duties and special projects as required.
  

PERKS:

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
  • By being employed with LSS, which is a non-profit agency, you can be eligible for loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
  • Loans are eligible to be forgiven after 10 years of on-time and consistent payments through the income-based re-payment plan.
  • LSS Clinical Managers (supervision@lsswis.org) and Human Capital employees can assist you in applying for this benefit.
    
• Licensure and Exam Fees
  • If the employee has been with LSS for 1 year prior, they will receive full reimbursement for licensure and/or exam costs for your first attempt. LSS also pays for bi-annual renewals.
  • If the employee is considered part-time, LSS will pay for half of the associated licensure and exam costs for your first attempt. LSS also pays for bi-annual renewals.
    
  • It is required for your position to maintain a state license in a mental health or substance abuse related field.
  • The following are situations in which licensure and/or exam costs will be reimbursed:
    
• Clinical Supervision and Consultation
  • We offer a free, robust clinical supervision experience for any type of licensure that focuses not only on client needs, but employee development.
    
• Training
  • LSS is focused on the continued growth of our employees and ensuring we provide high quality services.
  • LSS employees are eligible for receiving internal as well as financial support for external trainings to support your growth and required Continuing Education (CEU) credits.
    
• Flexibility
  • LSS is a family/employee-focused agency which values work-life balance.
  • Employees can adjust their schedules to accommodate personal commitments by flexing their schedule or utilizing time off.
    
• Benefits Package
  • Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
  • Holidays generally mirror school schedule
  • 2 personal days
  • Sick & Vacation Time
  • Retirement - 403b Match
  • LSS makes annual raises and additional bonuses a priority for employees
    
  
  

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Upon offer, candidates must successfully complete the necessary background, caregiver, medical and any other checks required, according to program requirements. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Master's degree in Social Work with Mental Health concentration, Counseling, Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy, or related program is required.
• Practicum experience, through your degree program, related to services LSS provides is required.
• Eligibility for training license by meeting criteria set for by WI Department of Safety and Professional Services.
• Some positions may require Substance Abuse Certification as well.
  

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• The incumbent of this position must have or be eligible to receive state licensure "in training" as an Advanced Practice Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapist, or Professional Counselor as applicable.
• The incumbent of this position must have a valid driver's license and have reliable transportation to perform the essential duties of the role; a motor vehicle check (MVR) with a satisfactory driving record per the LSS Driver Safety Procedure is required, and ability to meet LSS auto insurance requirements.
  

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Ability to read, write, analyze and interpret to complete required documentation by established timeframes.
• Ability to document in a neat, legible, accurate, objective and consistent manner to reflect the services provided.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from all levels of LSS management and employees, as well as the individual, family, and circle of support.
  

COMPUTER SKILLS/TECHNOLOGY:

• Working knowledge of computers to allow employee to access computer systems and applications to complete timecards, read and respond to email, and complete required on-line training.
• Ability to utilize efficiently an electronic health record(s) for documentation of direct services.
• Must be able to work on computer and utilize computer applications and programs to effectively complete the job.
• Ability to work within a variety of ever-changing software packages and computer systems.
  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Speaking and hearing ability sufficient to communicate effectively by phone or in person at normal volumes. Vision adequate to read correspondence, computer screen, forms, etc. Good manual dexterity. The employee may need to climb stairs to access clients being seen in home.

The employee must react appropriately in times of crisis, which may include verbal and physical aggression from the people served and recognizing and taking appropriate action if signs of child or dependent adult abuse are present. Understands and is able to evaluate the potential for medical or behavioral emergency.

The employee of this position works in client homes. The incumbent may be exposed to unsanitary household conditions and household allergens. The employee will also be exposed to outdoor weather conditions when traveling on company business.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

TRAVEL: Daily travel may be required. Some overnight travel may be required.

LSS is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, disability status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.