Classroom Therapist II Job – Friendship Academy

Full-time position at Friendship Academy, a special education school for children ages 5 to 21 in Pittsburgh, PA.

About the role

This position works Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., following the school calendar.

Responsibilities

• Manage the classroom milieu and assist in implementing the academic program.
• Offer tutorial assistance in academics.
• Model how to follow the teacher’s directions and communication skills by providing clear directives and appropriate voice tone.
• Maintain emotional control in stressful situations and request help when needed.
• Assist in transitioning students to the appropriate classroom and escort students to the bathroom.
• Monitor the whereabouts of students assigned to the classroom at all times and request help as needed from the crisis desk.
• Complete late cab duty as scheduled.
• Implement the school-wide behavioral support system (Watson Financial) and monitor student goals.
• Collect and record behavioral data on each student daily.
• Complete progress notes on a daily basis prior to the start of the next school day.
• Give feedback to students on areas of strength and needed improvement.
• Evaluate communication skills and behavioral strengths and weaknesses of new students.
• Participate in the development of a Functional Behavioral Assessment, Behavior Intervention Plan, and/or Individual Behavior Contracts for identified students.
• Communicate changes in the Behavioral Intervention Plan, Treatment Plan, and Behavior Support System to team members.
• Act as an active member of the mental health team and participate in regularly scheduled treatment team meetings.
• Attend treatment team meetings prepared with hard data from progress notes, behavior plans, and behavioral support systems.
• Document clinical interventions as prescribed in the treatment plan in daily progress notes.
• Collaborate with the social worker, providing feedback on the effectiveness of treatment interventions.
• Participate in the development of the treatment plan.
• Document time-outs and behavior reports.
• Ensure the safety of the group by requesting help as needed from support and/or clinical staff.
• Maintain the environment and report potential safety issues.
• Perform other duties as directed by the Program Supervisor, including reviewing email daily, requisitioning supplies for program activities, and maintaining a positive physical environment in the classrooms.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Counseling, Sociology, Social Work, Psychology, or a closely related field is required.
• Related work experience is strongly preferred.
• Ability to exert moderate physical effort in light work, including bending, stooping, squatting, reaching, kneeling, crouching, and brisk walking.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and/or pull objects and materials of moderate weight (40 pounds).
• Ability to use strategies of Comprehensive Crisis Management and Ukeru to physically support students for safety.
• Current Act 34, 114, and 151 clearances required.
• Pre-employment medical examination, including a tuberculosis test, required.

Benefits

• Access to Tuition Reimbursement to pursue further education and advanced degrees.
• Qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
• Ongoing professional development through continued education opportunities, training, and direct staff support.
• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage, and additional voluntary benefits.
• 403b retirement plan with employer contributions and match after 1 year of employment.

Schedule

Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., following the school calendar.