Childrens Therapist

Communicare; Oxford (MS); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Communicare in Mississippi seeks a licensed behavioral health professional to assess clients using DSM-IV-TR criteria, build therapeutic rapport, and deliver individual, family, and group therapies within a coordinated care team.

You will collaborate with school staff, perform home visits, maintain documentation per DMH standards, and manage an active caseload while balancing clinical and administrative duties.

Qualifications

• Master's degree and license/certification in counseling, psychology, social work, MFT, or related field.
• If not licensed/certified, eligible for licensure or DMH certification within 30 days.

Responsibilities

• Conduct psycho-social assessments and assist in Crisis Management Plan development.
• Develop, implement, and monitor Individual Service Plans (ISP) and interventions.
• Update Crisis Management Plan monthly.
• Maintain a caseload with regular client contact (therapeutic services ~5 hrs/day; non-client care ~3 hrs/day).
• Provide individual therapy monthly; family therapy in community settings monthly; group therapy and targeted case management as appropriate.
• Conduct home visits as needed and collaborate with school staff and other care team members.
• Utilize supervision to improve quality of care; ensure clinical documentation per DMH and Communicare standards; input data into the EHR.

Skills

DSM-IV-TR criteria

Rapport & therapeutic alliance

Client communication (age-appropriate)

Developmental understanding (child/ad°

Organizational skills

CPR

CPI

DMH trainings

Education

Master's degree (counseling/psychology/social work/MFT)

Eligible for licensure/DMH certification within 30 days

Tools

Electronic Health Record (EHR)

Job description

• Demonstrate ability to utilize DSM-IV-TR criteria to assess client symptomology.
• Demonstrate ability to develop rapport and a therapeutic alliance with clients and their caregivers including being understanding and accepting of individual cultural/ethnic/religious differences and belief systems of clients served.
• Demonstrate ability to communicate with clients consistent with their age and developmental level.
• Demonstrate an understanding of typical child and adolescent social, cognitive, behavioral, and moral development.
• Must demonstrate strong organizational skills, including time management, and verbal and written communication.
• Ability to complete and maintain CPR, CPI, and DMH trainings as required.
• Ability to complete and maintain Department of Mental Health PCMHT credentialing within 60 days of hiring.
• Performance Responsibilities Summary:**
• Conducts psycho-social assessments, assists in developing Crisis Management Plan, and other components associated with the intake process.
• Completes clinical goals, objectives, and interventions for the Individual Service Plan.
• Complete, review and update client Crisis Management Plan monthly.
• Maintain a balance of clinical and administrative responsibilities including 5 hours of therapeutic service delivery and 3 hours of non-client direct care hours daily.
• Provide individual therapy to each client a minimum of once per month; Family therapy in the community setting such as home or other public location once per month; other therapeutic services as deemed appropriate including group therapy and targeted case management.
• Maintain an active caseload.
• Conduct home visits on occasions or as need arises
• Attend weekly treatment team, and/or Communicare interdisciplinary meetings such as treatment team to provide information and clinical support as a member of client's Care team.
• Works in direct collaboration with school staff and other members of the child's team including Community Support Specialists and medical staff to address mental health needs of child/youth.
• Appropriately utilizes and accepts clinical supervision to provide the highest quality mental health care possible.
• Maintain required clinical documentation and charting requirements as outlined by DMH and Communicare including treatment review and evaluation of client progress.
• Collect and input data into the Electronic Health Record as set forth by Mississippi Department of Mental Health Manual of Uniform Data Standards.
• Complete other tasks as required by supervisor.

• General Clinical Competencies:**
• Demonstrate ability to utilize DSM-IV-TR criteria to assess client symptomology.
• Demonstrate ability to develop rapport and a therapeutic alliance with clients and their caregivers including being understanding and accepting of individual cultural/ethnic/religious differences and belief systems of clients served.
• Demonstrate ability to communicate with clients consistent with their age and developmental level.
• Demonstrate an understanding of typical child and adolescent social, cognitive, behavioral, and moral development.
• Non-Clinical Competencies:**
• Must demonstrate strong organizational skills, including time management, and verbal and written communication.
• Ability to complete and maintain CPR, CPI, and DMH trainings as required.
• Ability to complete and maintain Department of Mental Health PCMHT credentialing within 60 days of hiring.
• Performance Responsibilities Summary:**
• Conducts psycho-social assessments, assists in developing Crisis Management Plan, and other components associated with the intake process.
• Completes clinical goals, objectives, and interventions for the Individual Service Plan.
• Complete, review and update client Crisis Management Plan monthly.
• Maintain a balance of clinical and administrative responsibilities including 5 hours of therapeutic service delivery and 3 hours of non-client direct care hours daily.
• Provide individual therapy to each client a minimum of once per month; Family therapy in the community setting such as home or other public location once per month; other therapeutic services as deemed appropriate including group therapy and targeted case management.
• Maintain an active caseload.
• Conduct home visits on occasions or as need arises
• Attend weekly treatment team, and/or Communicare interdisciplinary meetings such as treatment team to provide information and clinical support as a member of client's Care team.
• Works in direct collaboration with school staff and other members of the child's team including Community Support Specialists and medical staff to address mental health needs of child/youth.
• Appropriately utilizes and accepts clinical supervision to provide the highest quality mental health care possible.
• Maintain required clinical documentation and charting requirements as outlined by DMH and Communicare including treatment review and evaluation of client progress.
• Collect and input data into the Electronic Health Record as set forth by Mississippi Department of Mental Health Manual of Uniform Data Standards.
• Complete other tasks as required by supervisor.

Requirements

Master's Degree and license or certification in counseling, psychology, social work, marriage and family therapy, or other related behavioral health care field preferred. If not already licensed or certified must be eligible for licensure or Department of Mental Health certification within thirty days.

Pass a Communicare background check and drug screen. Communicare is a drug-free workplace.

Ability to perform the responsibilities of the position as described above.

Ability to work independently.

Ability to relate positively to individuals who are referred to Communicare, their families, other staff members, members of the community, and staff from other agencies.

Must have reliable transportation and the ability to travel throughout the catchment area and to trainings and meetings in other locations outside the catchment area as needed. A valid driver's license, automobile insurance, and an insurable driving record must be maintained continuously throughout employment.