Family Therapist

POSITION SUMMARY:                                                       

Under general supervision of a Mental Health Supervisor (Children’s Services), provides psychotherapy and some case management services to child and youth consumers and their families for Saginaw County Community Mental Health Authority (SCCMHA). Is responsible for providing comprehensive diagnostic assessments, treatment planning, and therapy services for a diverse caseload including children, adolescents, and families experiencing mental health issues, communication challenges, or family conflict. Compiles data to obtain complete primordial and current history of personal, social, and emotional situations.  Treatment will utilize individual, family and group treatment methods with emphasis on the use of evidence-based treatments, and promising practices as clinically appropriate; consultation and education with other community agencies and groups; and crisis intervention services. This position will be deeply familiar with additional services and resources within the community and have the ability to effectively and efficiently communicate with others to provide information and support when required.   Treatment is provided in-home, in the agency, or in the community will be based on clinical need. This position will be knowledgeable about and actively support culturally competent recovery-based practices; person centered planning as a shared decision-making process with the individual/family, who defines their life goals and is assisted in developing a unique path toward those goals; and a trauma informed culture of safety to aid consumer in the recovery process.   

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITIES:

1. Provides a full-range of psychotherapeutic services, with emphasis on the use of evidence-based treatments, and promising practices to the identified consumer and their family using both outpatient and in home service delivery modality.
2. May provide case management services (linking, monitoring, and advocacy) to the identified consumer and their family, as clinically appropriate, using both outpatient and in home service delivery modality.
3. Completes and documents assessment interview with identified consumer and their family to obtain data concerning personal, social, emotional, and mental history of identified consumer and their family to inform accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. 
4. Provides direct mental health services.  Formulates individual plans of service designed for specific symptoms; completes social assessments; monitors progress of service and treatment from individual, family, and group therapy sessions; completes quarterly reviews and considers treatment options.
5. Works with parents and providers to develop an action plan that identifies appropriate interventions for a youth who needs mental health support and oversees implementation of the plan.
6. Provides programmatic consultation on certain elements of a program to address specific issues that affect more than one child, staff member and/or family.
7. May routinely and regularly make home, school, hospital, court, and visits to other designated sites in order to provide a full range of mental health services. Primary location of service provision is based on unique clinical needs of identified consumer and their family.
8. Interacts with other SCCMHA units and coordinates treatment with Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Juvenile Court, and other agencies.
9. Works to heighten community awareness of the mental health needs of children, adolescents, and families within settings in the system of care for youth.
10. Prepares required documentation, summaries and notes reflecting specific goals and objectives. 
11. Engages in quality assurance and improvement activities as required.
12. Participates in and remains compliant with SCCMHA mandatory training requirements.
13. Utilizes a family centered planning approach including the pre-planning process and the offering of independent facilitation.
14. Meets provider established productivity measures.
15. Adheres to the mission, vision, core values and operating principles of SCCMHA at all times.

WORKING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENT:

Works in the agency office, community and homes of consumers/families and provides therapeutic services to assigned caseload as a member of an assertive treatment team.  Close contact with consumers/families who may have communicable disease and consumers/families who may be hostile, aggressive, and potentially violent.  Requires travel to multiple locations, sometimes in bad weather. Ability to work flexible hours including some evenings to accommodate the population being served.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: 

Master’s degree in a mental health related field from an accredited school.

Experience:

A minimum of one (1) year of experience in the examination, evaluation, and treatment of minors and their families.

Licenses and Certifications:

Valid Michigan Driver’s license with a good driving record.

A limited licensed master’s social worker (LLMSW), licensed master’s social worker (LMSW), limited licensed professional counselor (LLPC), licensed professional counselor (LPC), limited licensed marriage and family therapist (LLMFT), licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), limited licensed psychologist (LLP) and licensed psychologist (LP). 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Strong skills in developing collaborative relationships with diverse groups of individuals. 
2. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. 
3. Knowledge of mental health programs for adults as well as children, psychology, child development and related psychotherapeutic methods, chronic mental illness, third party payor requirements, mental health code, counseling. 
4. Ability to function with a great deal of professional independence under the general direction of a program director or staff supervisor. 
5. Excellent communications skills with respect to listening, oral, written, and public speaking. 
6. Ability to handle individuals who may be distributive or potentially violent.
7. Ability to understand individuals from all social, economic, and cultural backgrounds.
8. Ability to facilitate communication between individuals with differing views. 
9. Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.

Physical/Mental Requirements:

1. Hearing acuity to converse in persona and on telephone.
2. Visual acuity to observe consumers behavior, read and proofread documents and use EHR and other electronic devices.
3. Ability to walk, stand or sit for extended periods of time.
4. Manual dexterity to write and to operate standard office equipment (PC, Keyboard, Copy Machine, Fax Machine, etc.)
5. Ability to lift and carry files and supplies at least 20 pounds.
6. Strong interpersonal skills to interact with leadership, employees, consumers, and the general public.
7. Analytical skills necessary to conduct research, analyze, and interpret complex data and identify and solve problems by proposing courses of action.
8. Dependable with data collection and reporting requirements.
9. Ability to plan short and long range and to manage and schedule time.
10. Ability to handle stress in meeting deadlines and dealing with large numbers of employees and/or consumers.
11. Open to receiving continuing education in the field.