Youth Justice Therapist

JOB SUMMARY

The Youth Justice Therapist provides intensive assessment and therapeutic services for difficult incarcerated youth within the assigned Ohio Department of Youth Services (ODYS) Correctional Facility. The Youth Justice Therapist works closely with ODYS staff, jurists and other court officials to ensure client treatment needs are addressed. The Youth Justice Therapist works with clients in the ODYS correctional facility providing assessment, treatment and making recommendations for ongoing services and therapy upon client's discharge from the facility.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Provide high quality, detailed and in depth bio/psycho/social assessment for youth referred to program.
• Meet or exceed productivity targets as well as collect outcomes measures/data at case discharge.
• Gather information for ongoing treatment needs and goals and prepare detailed recommendations for clients upon discharge from the facility
• Assess and develop treatment goals and interventions, implement interventions, and identify and targeting of barriers to treatment progress.
• Develop comprehensive, diagnostic case conceptualization as well as focused, measurable and achievable service plans that are consistent with the client's identified needs and cultural assessment-cultivating and maintaining professional alignment and engagement with families.
• Appropriately articulate and present clinical findings, therapeutic goals/targets, and recommendations to court officials/staff in a professional manner. Collaborate with ODYS staff to identify clinical interventions that best support youth in the correctional facility (i.e. safety planning, suicide watch protocols, mental health interventions, and linkage to stepdown programming).
• Facilitate individual, group and family therapy sessions for youth placed in the assigned ODYS Correctional Facility.
• Form and maintain collaborative working relationships with collateral professionals and/or agencies concerning individual cases.
• Develop and maintain the clinical record through timely and legible completion of assigned documentation according to applicable licensing and accreditation regulations and standards.
• Closely monitor and document progress towards treatment goals and adjust interventions as needed.
• Close cases in a timely manner, accurately completing aftercare plans and related paperwork, including treatment summaries, based on goal achievement and/or agency policy/procedure.
• Attend weekly team meetings and supervisions on time and as scheduled. Be open to feedback and suggestion from others, be prepared for meetings, actively participate as a supportive team member, and maintain a positive working relationship with co-workers.
• Actively and consistently participate in trainings.
• Has/Maintains a good on-time and attendance record.
• Set and maintain appropriate boundaries with incarcerated youth, family members and ODYS staff.

OTHER DUTIES

• Maintain awareness of industry trends and professional knowledge by attending agency training, maintaining continuing education standards and reviewing professional publications.
• Attend scheduled staff meetings, supervision, and on-going training as required
• Maintain trainings, certifications and licensure must be kept current in accordance with applicable licensing and accreditation regulations and standards
• Maintain necessary documentation and oversight of client clinical record
• Respect the privacy of clients and hold in confidence all information obtained during the client’s treatment. All client-related documents should be handled in accordance with Agency guidelines on confidential material.
• Maintain high standards of ethical and professional conduct and adhere to Agency policies and procedures. Maintain appropriate clinical and professional boundaries with incarcerated youth, family members and ODYS facility staff.
• Other duties as assigned by management.