ABA Therapist (Foster Care)

UCAN (Chicago); Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Voluntary Life Insurance

Voluntary Short-Term Disability

Voluntary Critical Illness Insurance

Voluntary Accident Coverage

FSA

HSA

Retirement Plan (401k) Match

Tuition Reimbursement

Group Life and AD&D Insurance

Group Long-Term Disability

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

UCAN (Chicago) seeks an ABA Therapist to provide individual, group, and family psychotherapy across home, community, and office settings under supervision by a Licensed Clinical Supervisor.

You will apply trauma-informed practice and Positive Youth Development to support youths in foster care, develop ITP goals, and coordinate with schools and social services while maintaining thorough documentation in Evolv.

Qualifications

• MSW or MA/MS in Human Services/Psychology/Counseling required
• 0-2 years of therapy experience in a clinical or related setting
• Two years of experience in child and adolescent individual and group therapy; LPC/LSW a plus

Responsibilities

• Provides individual, group and family psychotherapy in home, community, and in-office settings under supervision
• Develops treatment plans and goals based on assessments
• Maintains timely, compliant clinical documentation and reporting
• Collaborates with supervisors, caseworkers, schools, and community agencies
• Ensures safety planning and trauma-informed approaches across sessions

Skills

Trauma-informed practice

Positive Youth Development

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Case coordination

Education

MSW or MA/MS in Human Services/Psychology/Counseling

LPC or LSW certification (a plus)

Tools

Evolv database

Job description

Brief Description

Position Title:

ABA Therapist

Department:

Behavioral Health Services - Foster Care

Reports to:

Licensed Clinical Supervisor

Position Summary

Under the supervision of a Licensed Clinical Supervisor, the Therapist provides individual, group and family psychotherapy services in-home, in a community setting and in-office to assigned clients. While utilizing UCAN’s Clinical Philosophy, the Therapist facilitates healing through Trauma Informed practice and Positive Youth Development.

Essential Responsibilities

Assessment and Service Planning

• Performs assessments, diagnostic ratings and evaluation of clients referred for services; interviews clients and individuals closely related or connected to the client, such as family members and other determined people.
• Evaluates assessment and diagnostic ratings to plan treatment program and approaches.
• Effectively applies clinical knowledge to evaluate client situations and needs.
• Develops clear and specific individualized Treatment Plan (ITP) goals for each client based upon his/her individual needs.
• Identifies at-risk clients and behaviors that may require a developed safety plan with defined interventions.

Therapeutic Intervention

• Effectively conducts in-home, community-based and in-office individual, family and group psychotherapy.
• Successfully engages and develops rapport with a wide range of clients.
• Utilizes clinical knowledge and skills to provide appropriate and effective therapies.
• Structures therapy sessions in accordance with ITP goals.
• Creates a therapeutic environment by providing adequate, varied, culturally competent and developmentally appropriate activities/materials.
• Maintains consistency and safety throughout the session, both in-home and in-office.

Planning and Organization

• Plans time effectively and efficiently to meet all job commitments and documentation requirements.
• Keeps information organized as to quickly respond to information requests about their clients.
• Organizes caseload to meet expected level of productivity and billable contacts on a monthly basis.
• Effectively balances multiple responsibilities, including in-home, community based and in-office sessions.
• Obtains and evaluates information necessary to implement client services.
• Responds in a timely manner to all written correspondence, email and phone call inquiries regarding clients.

Building Relationships and Networks

• Consults with supervisor, other psychotherapists and consulting psychiatrists on details of cases and treatment plans.
• Contacts other social service agencies, schools, hospitals, courts and public mental health organizations; makes referrals or obtains case-related information.
• Contacts caseworkers assigned to client or client’s family; discusses progress of case; obtains case-related information.
• Works effectively with others in a multi-disciplinary setting.
• Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with other social service agencies, schools, courts, etc.
• Provides timely information to teachers, probation officers and others as needed.
• Regularly consults with caseworkers regarding client progress.
• Actively listens to others and their points of view and treats others with sensitivity.

Documentation and Reporting

• Notifies supervisor of critical incidents, problems, concerns, and needs in a timely manner.
• Clearly documents actions taken in a timely manner and in a format consistent with legal requirements.
• Completes all documentation, reports and correspondence in the Evolv database within defines timeframes.
• Concisely and professionally writes clinical documentation and reports that accurately reflect clinical interventions and progress made in the therapeutic process.
• Delivers written information to appropriate parties.
• Maintains accurate, complete and timely client records as required by UCAN policy and procedures.
• Reports client progress in court proceedings through clear written reports submitted as required, and through accurate verbal testimony when required.
• Enters, updates, and maintains accurate data in the Evolv database as required.
• Reports all possible critical incidents and unusual incidents to supervisor, management, or DCFS as required by UCAN or by mandated reporting law.

Education/Job Experience/Certification

• MSW or MA/MS in Human Services/Psychology/Counseling.
• 0-2 years of experience providing therapy in a clinical or related setting.
• Two (2) years of experience in child and adolescent individual and group therapy.
• LPC or LSW a plus.

Special Knowledge And Qualifications

• Experience in working with Juvenile and Adult Sex Offenders
• Experience and/or certification in Domestic Violence
• Is open and respectful of cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and is willing and competent to work with a diverse client population.
• Has an understanding of trauma-informed practice
• Has an understanding of Positive Youth Development.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Working knowledge of the child welfare system.
• Ability to work both independently and a part of a high functioning team.
• Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary setting
• Ability for time management for compliance with documentation and productivity requirements
• Sensitivity to special populations and ability to interface with the community
• Experience and ability to use computers for data entry, communication and report writing
• Car and valid Illinois driver’s license and insurance required.
• Ability to transport children in accordance with IDCFS regulations.

Summary

At UCAN, we prioritize the health and well-being of our team, as it is essential to our mission of serving the community. Our competitive benefits package is designed to help you and your family thrive. Below, you'll find a comprehensive list of the benefits we offer.

Benefits You Can Choose From

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Voluntary Short-Term Disability
• Voluntary Critical Illness Insurance
• Voluntary Accident Coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
• Retirement Plan (401k) Match
• Tuition Reimbursement

Benefits Provided At No Cost To You

• Group Life and AD&D Insurance
• Group Long-Term Disability
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

UCAN is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages candidates with lived experience and diverse backgrounds to apply.