Support Therapist Job – Friendship Academy

Full-time position at Friendship Academy, a special education school for students with autism and mental health needs in Pittsburgh, PA.

Schedule

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

Responsibilities

• Provide crisis interventions and support for all students in the school.
• Recognize and deescalate potential safety issues and address them before they become a safety risk.
• Maintain emotional control in the face of stressful situations by requesting and accepting help when needed.
• Support the classroom in the absence of the Classroom Therapist as needed.
• Arrival and dismissal of students, including operating metal detectors and searching students’ belongings for contraband.
• Contribute to building a team environment and cohesiveness.
• Display flexibility and adapt to changes in the work environment.
• Make appropriate decisions in a timely manner.
• Complete daily documentation as needed within the expected timeframe.
• Build therapeutic rapport with all of the students by giving positive feedback and support.
• Attend treatment team and provide updates on students’ behavior and progress.
• Attend debriefings as scheduled.
• Support and contribute to the school-wide behavioral support plan and other behavioral data reports including: Watson Financial, Behavior Reports, restraint forms, and AWOL reports.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Social Work, or closely related field required.
• Related work experience in field preferred.
• The essential functions of the job described require the ability to exert moderate physical effort in light work, typically involving some combination of bending, stooping, squatting, reaching, kneeling, crouching, and brisk walking, and which may involve lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and material of moderate weight (40 pounds).
• Ability to use the strategies of Comprehensive Crisis Management and Ukeru to physically support students for their safety and the safety of others.
• Current PA Acts 34, 114 and 151 Clearances.
• 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.