Licensed Therapist

About the role

The Therapist develops, conducts, and oversees the delivery of mental health or behavior analytic services according to the clinician’s appropriate scope of practice as defined by the Utah Department of Professional Licensing (DOPL) and best practice standards for the behavioral health field. This may include, but is not limited to, determining goals, developing treatment plans, conducting parent training and whole-family intervention, responding to crises, providing case management services, collaborating with external providers such as schools, and coordinating with team members and leadership for ethical, quality service delivery.

Responsibilities

• Develops initial treatment plan within guidelines; reviews regularly with residential staff and updates as necessary.
• Addresses treatment goals and issues weekly in individual sessions.
• Conducts weekly individual, family, and group therapy and maintains accurate progress notes for each therapeutic intervention/session, posted to the record within the appropriate time.
• Prepares monthly progress reports on time, ensuring they contain relevant material based on the student’s treatment issues, behavior, and treatment goals, and sends reports to all appropriate parties.
• Communicates with prior treatment sources to obtain relevant background information; provides case updates to consultants, courts, school districts, or involved professionals as required; reports are current and accurate.
• Attends shift change, treatment team, and other meetings regularly, and collaborates with Residential, Medical, and Academic staff members.
• Contacts parent/sponsor and educational consultant or other referring source within 24 hours of student’s placement and follows company policy and procedure in establishing an appropriate therapist/client relationship; responds to requests from parents and referring sources promptly.
• Gains parental and referral source support of Treatment Plan and school policy; resolves conflicts over school policy diplomatically.
• Responds promptly to urgent needs or crisis situations; works with Residential Staff in crisis intervention and aids in investigating and reviewing major incidents with each assigned student.
• Utilizes effective counseling techniques; ensures treatment modalities used are consistent with overall treatment goals and concur with school policies and professional standards, including following established policy when approving use of observation and development.
• Responds to nurse’s contact regarding any health issues and provides timely notification to parents/sponsor as necessary.
• Ensures that visits and phone calls are scheduled according to school policy and structure; structures student and family prior to visit; assists family in establishing and achieving visit goals; debriefs the student and parents after the visit is completed.
• Ensures that school policy and procedures are followed when a student leaves the program for any reason.
• Begins planning for continuing care upon admission; involves family in preparation of continuing care plan and makes appropriate recommendations for continuing care placements.
• Treats clients with dignity and respect; adheres to client rights standards and keeps commitments extended to clients or customers.
• Attends all annual in-service meetings and maintains any required certifications.
• Shows understanding of how position supports the department's goals and vision of the organization, including how it supports other departments and processes, and supports the Performance Improvement program by implementing new processes and standards as indicated.

Requirements

• Completes work thoroughly, promptly, and efficiently; manages multiple tasks as necessary.
• Analyzes successes and shortcomings, then solves problems with determination and creativity.
• Supports approved decisions, responsibly completing tasks with minimal supervision.
• Holds self, fellow staff, and all students accountable for doing what is required; fulfills commitments.
• Makes well-informed decisions, consulting when necessary with others; implements practical solutions.
• Communicates collaboratively, acknowledging verbal requests, phone, text, and email messages quickly.
• Reads and adheres to updated policies and procedures, promptly reporting violations to a supervisor.
• Maintains confidentiality and models professionalism as a representative of LRA in all locations.
• Follows all safety regulations and does not hesitate to suggest changes that might improve safety.
• Pursues continuous professional growth to enhance student and personal performance.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the LRA Positive Behavior Plan by consistently using it with students.
• Uses IEP, ISP, and BIP objectives when planning instructional, recreation, and residential activities.
• Completes necessary documentation within times specified in policies and procedures.
• Reviews critical incidents and participates in root-cause analysis as requested by the Compliance Officer.
• Supports and promotes the LRA values of diversity, equity, and inclusion for all staff and students.
• Greets all visitors, parents, and reviewers with a smile and the utmost respect.
• Models ethical behavior when resolving misunderstandings, disagreements, and conflicts.
• Contributes to long-term planning; promotes collection of Outcome data; and supports CQI initiatives.
• Allocates resources efficiently; manages budgets (MEC members); reports variances in MOR meetings.
• Responds positively to a supervisor's reasonable request to perform other duties.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in a related field (Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapist, Clinical Mental Health Therapist).
• Current license to practice therapy in Utah (LMFT, AMFT, LCSW, CSW, ACMHC, CMHC).
• Able to pass a background check and willing to work with lower functioning, low IQ, and ASD students of all levels.
• Attention to detail and complete data entry.
• Customer service skills.

Physical Demands

• Trained and able to safely manage student behaviors.
• Excellent communication and critical thinking skills with the ability to handle stressful situations.
• The capacity to function and lead well at any required time.