Psychological Services Associate 1 (Local Government) - Somerset County MH/ID

Thank you for checking out our position! Our vision is for every person and family that we serve to have a network of family, friends, advocates, and supportive services to live a full and productive life in our community. Learn more about us at www.dbhs.co.

This opportunity is for a Therapist to provide counseling services in an Outpatient Program to individuals of all ages. Under the guidance of a supervisor, establish a written goal-specific treatment plan and serve as a resource. Collaborate and consult with colleagues, community individuals, or agencies to assist in providing the highest quality of services. This position may also provide outpatient group therapy, adult mobile mental health services, and School Based Counseling services. School Therapists work on site in schools to assess student needs, provide consultation and education to school personnel, and make referrals.

Full-time positions include excellent benefits! Healthcare coverage, pension plan, student loan reimbursement program, flexible spending account, and paid holidays. We encourage work/life balance with a hybrid of remote & on-site work schedules for some positions. Family friendly agency with paid time off, paid sick time, employee assistance program, and family medical leave.

Apply today to join us in serving the community!

Outpatient Services Duties

• Under supervisor guidance, provide:
  • Individual therapy
  • Family therapy
  • Couples counseling
  • Group counseling
• Use a variety of professional therapeutic techniques with clients of all ages.
• Collaborate with clients to develop strengths-based, goal-focused treatment plans documented in the EMR.
• Under supervisor direction, conduct Therapy Diagnostic Evaluations for service enrollment and assessment of additional mental health needs.
• Make medically necessary referrals to other mental health programs as appropriate.
• Coordinate care with staff to ensure high-quality services and appropriate referrals.
• Work with Crisis Intervention staff when voluntary hospitalization assessments are needed.
• Attend meetings, participate in staff development trainings, and assist with presentations or trainings for community organizations.

• Under supervisor guidance, provide:

  • Group therapy

  • Individual therapy

  • Play therapy to children and adolescents in school settings.

• Develop treatment plans and maintain accurate consumer records.

• Under supervisor direction, provide consultation and education to school personnel, community members, and agencies regarding mental health issues and resources.

• Conduct on-site school mental health assessments and intakes for identified students.

• Assess student needs and make appropriate referrals.

• Coordinate with Crisis Intervention staff during school-based mental health emergencies.

• Under supervisor guidance, conduct 60-90 minute outpatient group therapy sessions focused on:

  • Self-care

  • Self-management

  • Self-recovery

• Complete required documentation, including progress notes, treatment plans, assessments, and coordination-of-care notes.

• Under supervisor guidance, serve as the primary therapist providing services in clients' homes.

• Provide individual, marital, and family therapy using a variety of professional techniques.

• Develop written, goal-specific treatment plans and maintain up-to-date clinical documentation.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• This position reports to the DBHS Office for work.
• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
  • Hours must be adjusted as needed based upon consumer requests for evening appointments.
  • On occasion, staff may need to work hours outside of the set work week to complete projects, meet work demands, or in the event of an emergency.
• New staff will be on probation for 6 months.
• New staff may be eligible for a hybrid of on-site and remote work after three months of employment.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• A master's degree in psychology or a closely related field.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Other Requirements:

• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• You must pass a background investigation.
• This position falls under the provisions of the Older Adult Protective Services Act.
  • Under the Act, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports, including but not limited to, PA State Police and FBI clearance.
• This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.
  • Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Veterans:

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.