School Based Clinician I or Clinician II - full-time - 1st shift - Mon-Fri

Community Mental Health Affiliates, Inc. (CMHA); Waterbury (CT); On-site; USD 57,000 - 68,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

403(b) retirement with CMHA match

Paid holidays and PTO

Job summary

Community Mental Health Affiliates, Inc. (CMHA) seeks a full-time Child & Family Clinician I for its school-based program at 255 Bank St., Waterbury, CT. Schedule is Monday–Friday, 8:00 am–4:00 pm, with possible evening hours.

Competitive salaries start at $57,000 with a $5,000 sign-on bonus; higher for Clinician II with a $7,000 sign-on bonus. The clinician will be part of a multidisciplinary team delivering outpatient services to children and adolescents with behavioral health needs, engaging

Qualifications

• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience with DSM-5 based formulations and treatment planning.

Responsibilities

• Assess and diagnose child and family needs and coordinate referrals.
• Complete assessments and clinical formulations within designated timeframes.
• Develop goals with client and family and monitor progress.
• Provide individual, family, and group therapy using evidence‑based practices.
• Collaborate with schools, pediatricians, DCF, and social service agencies.
• Respond to crises and triage appropriately.
• Facilitate referrals to community and internal resources as needed.
• Obtain authorizations and document progress notes timely.

Skills

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Crisis intervention

Documentation

Education

Master’s degree in behavioral health

Tools

EMR system

Job description

Why CMHA?

Community Mental Health Affiliates, Inc. (CMHA) is a private non‑profit treatment provider headquartered in New Britain with seven locations throughout the city and in Waterbury. We partner with clients and the community to promote recovery from mental illness and substance use, treating more than 7,500 adults and children each year. CMHA is Connecticut’s first fully Joint Commission accredited Behavioral Health Home and is a SAMHSA Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC). Visit cmhacc.org to learn more.

Internal mobility and career pathing is a focus at CMHA, with many employees growing from individual contributors to leaders.

CMHA is looking to hire a full-time, Child & Family Clinician I for our school‑based program. This position will be located at 255 Bank St., Waterbury, CT 06702. Monday‑Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm. Occasional evenings may also be required based on program need.

Compensation

Clinician I – annual salary range starts at $57,000. Eligible for a $5,000 sign‑on bonus. Clinician II – annual salary range starts at $68,500. Eligible for a $7,000 sign‑on bonus. Compensation is determined by experience, education, skills, and internal pay equity, and is presented together with our benefits and paid time off package.

Position Summary

The school‑based Clinician serves as an active part of a multidisciplinary team that provides school‑based outpatient services in a structured therapeutic environment for children and adolescents who present with a wide range of behavioral health needs. The role engages parents, family members, and other pertinent adults to support the child through the therapeutic process and assists individuals and families in developing skills to improve their quality of life.

Responsibilities

• Assesses, diagnoses, and recommends appropriate treatment for child and family and assists with appropriate referrals and linkage to other services.
• Completes assessment tools, integrates pertinent information to establish diagnosis, and analyzes data to create clinical formulation within designated timeframe.
• Develops achievable goals with client and family; sets measurable behavioral objectives within designated timeframes. Monitors treatment progress and provides updates within identified timeframes and as necessary.
• Performs individual, family, and group treatment utilizing evidence‑based practices to facilitate positive, strength‑based change.
• Collaborates and coordinates with external agencies such as schools, pediatricians, DCF, juvenile court, and other social service agencies.
• Responds to crisis situations and triages appropriately, communicating clearly with core and external professionals to meet presenting client needs.
• Provides referrals and linkage to community and internal resources as necessary to address client need.
• Secures reimbursement by obtaining authorizations, providing accurate documentation, and submitting progress notes in a timely manner.
• Completes documentation within designated timeframes as established by CMHA and external regulatory agencies.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• Master’s degree in behavioral health (psychology, social work, counseling, marriage and family therapy, alcohol and drug counseling).

Credentials and Licenses

• Associate license (MFTA, PCA, LMSW).
• Eligible for LCSW, LMFT, LPC.
• Certification in MANDT, first aid, and CPR.
• Bi‑lingual preferred (Spanish/English).
• Valid Connecticut driver’s license.

Experience

• Successful experience in mental health or related field, preferably a minimum of 1–3 years including but not limited to the provision of substance use treatment and co‑occurring treatment services with children, adolescents, adults and/or families.
• For Spanish‑speaking applicants: bilingual/bicultural (English/Spanish/Latino/a) and knowledge of cultural values, traditions and practices.
• Beginner to intermediate experience with Microsoft Office products including Word and Outlook.
• Experience in or willingness to learn an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system, including appointment scheduling, authorization tracking, assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, and discharge summaries.

Competency

• Capability to problem‑solve, use good judgment, work independently and as a team member.
• Excellent communication skills, ability to present ideas clearly and objectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to utilize the DSM‑5 and identify clinical diagnoses in formulation of appropriate treatment for clients.
• Awareness and sensitivity to those we serve that encourages and promotes a positive, productive and collegial environment, including culture, language, gender, sexual orientation, gender preference, physical handicap, and spirituality.
• Effective interpersonal communication skills with individuals with mental health and co‑occurring disorders, as well as with their families/caregivers and natural support.
• Maintain client confidentiality in accordance with CMHA policy, and state and federal regulations.
• Capacity to understand and incorporate recovery‑based treatment, language, and interventions into documentation and daily operations.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced environment, utilizing excellent time‑management skills, flexibility regarding scheduling, and the ability to balance a number of priorities based on workload in the completion of job responsibilities.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance packages.
• 403(b) retirement savings plan with CMHA matching starting after 1 year of service.
• 11 observed holidays.
• 3 wellbeing days off on a Friday throughout the year to extend a long weekend.
• 2 CHMA/Personal days to use throughout the calendar year.
• Up to 24 days of PTO that increases with years of service.
• Paid agency closure between Christmas and New Year’s (except 24/7 programs) must be approved annually.
• Company‑paid Life Insurance and Long‑Term Disability.
• A comprehensive Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that offers counseling, coaching, and wellness resources for staff as well as members of their household.
• Higher education tuition discounts at participating schools through the Alliance’s academic partnerships.
• Free ongoing professional development opportunities and continuous access to Continuing Education Units (CEUs), featuring comprehensive training in Evidence‑Based Practices such as EMDR, DBT, and CBT.
• Employee discounts for shopping, the New Britain YMCA, travel, and entertainment.
• Free employee subscriptions to the Calm app.
• Annual Company Picnic.
• CMHA‑sponsored Loan Reimbursement Program and Scholarship Program.
• Free Student Loan Wellness for eligible employees and their family members access to:
  • Student loan consolidation and refinancing.
  • Loan payoff projection dashboard.
  • Coaching and support via chat, email, and phone.
  • College cost calculator.
  • College financial planning.
  • 3 NHSC‑approved sites for federal student loan repayment.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Enhancement for eligible employees’ access to:
  • Automated Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) form management for past and present employers.
  • Automated reminders for annual PSLF recertifications to help you stay on track.
  • Resources and ongoing communications that make PSLF understandable.
  • The opportunity to receive the national average of $72,000.00 in forgiveness.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Community Mental Health Affiliates is an Equal Opportunity Employer except in the case of a bona fide occupation qualification or as otherwise permitted or required by law. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, disability, sex, childbirth (including pregnancy) or related medical condition, lactation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital or familial status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, citizenship status or any other characteristic protected by applicable equal employment opportunity laws.