Support Therapist Job – Friendship Academy

The Watson Institute; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition reimbursement

PSLF program

Professional development

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

403b match

Job summary

Friendship Academy in Pittsburgh is seeking a Support Therapist to provide therapeutic support for students with autism and mental health challenges at our school.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology or Social Work, related experience, and clearances; you will perform crisis interventions, support the classroom, and help implement behavioral plans to ensure student safety and progress.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Social Work, or closely related field required
• Related work experience in field preferred
• Ability to perform light physical work and safety procedures
• PA Acts 34, 114 and 151 Clearances required
• Pre-employment medical exam including TB test

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 stressful situations and seek help when needed
• Support the classroom in the absence of the Classroom Therapist as needed
• Arrival and dismissal of students and searching 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 students through positive feedback and support
• Attend treatment team and provide updates on students’ behavior and progress
• Attend debriefings as scheduled
• Support school-wide behavioral plan and related reports
• Other duties as assigned

Skills

Crisis intervention

De-escalation

Emotional regulation

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Psychology or Social Work

Job description

As a Support Therapist at Friendship Academy, you'll provide therapeutic support for students with autism and mental health challenges at our Pittsburgh school location.

Job 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

Support Therapist Job 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

Job 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