Therapist (Social Work Staff)

ORGANIZATION SUMMARY:

Catholic Charities is one of the largest, oldest, and most comprehensive nonprofit human services organizations in Northern California, annually reaching more than 60,000 vulnerable individuals of all faiths in San Francisco, San Mateo, and Marin Counties. With a staff of approximately 450, reaching peaks of nearly 600 with seasonal hires, a budget of $54.3 million, and a current governing board of 27, this venerable, fully-accredited, independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit addresses some of the most pressing community needs – homelessness, generational poverty, immigration, inequality, hunger, aging in isolation, and communicable disease - to name a few – with compassion and services of highest quality.


PROGRAM & POSITION SUMMARY :

The San Francisco Boys & Girls Home provides residential treatment and mental health services to adjudicated youth ages 12-18, most of whom are transitioning out of a juvenile hall setting. A combination of therapeutic, educational, day treatment, and recreational programs address the multiple and diverse needs of each child. The youth live in two residential San Francisco houses, which are staffed 24 hours a day.

The staff psychotherapist is a member of the Mental Health Services Department and reports to the Director of Mental Health Services. The therapist is responsible for evaluation, assessment, therapy, and case management. In addition to the provision of individual, group and family therapy, the therapist is responsible for treatment planning and documentation.

Staff therapists typically work weekdays, with an occasional Saturday or Sunday if the need for weekend scheduling of family therapy or outreach exists. In general, therapists are in the agency during business hours, but modifications are often made to accommodate families who need evening hours.


ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES :

PSYCHOTHERAPY AND SUPERVISION:

• Accepts case assignments and reviews referral material
• Psychotherapy as indicated in the treatment plan; at minimum, 1x/wk
• Family therapy as needed according to the treatment plan
• Weekly supervision for one hour
• Case review with consulting psychiatrist
• Regular meetings with program supervisors to discuss case progress
• Coordinates or arranges for any evaluation which should be done prior to the thirty-day conference
• Documentation of all therapy and counseling sessions in progress note.

CASE REVIEW AND MANAGEMENT

• Schedule quarterly case reviews and provide documentation of findings in the treatment plan and quarterly report
• Participate in weekly department meetings to review selected cases
• Schedule special reviews with DSS, Mental Health, or Probation workers when indicated
• Request modified reviews when indicated because of new material, need for status change, unexplainable behavior, etc.
• Attend monthly rounds meetings to discuss medication management and other treatment issues with staff and consulting psychiatrist
• Meet with agency staff as requested; meet with teachers as needed
• Consult with placing agency about medication requests, the need for medication and documentation surrounding them
• Coordinate home visits and all other out-of-agency visits – e.g., appearances in court
• Attend IEP meetings whenever possible; attend all IEP meetings for children placed through 3632

DISCHARGE PLANNING:

• Participate in clinical on-call system for after hours coverage if psychiatric emergencies
• Devise a working plan with DSS or Probation worker for the transition from agency to next setting
• Provide reports and assessments to next setting, if indicated
• Plan follow-up interviews and/or aftercare

DEPARTMENTAL AND PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES:

• Participate in on-call system for after-hours coverage if psychiatric emergencies

• Meet with program supervisors to review, revise or renew existing policy and procedure regarding treatment • Provide in-service programs as requested.

• Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education & Experience:

• Candidates must be licensed or license eligible MA or MSW
• Experience with children and families in a residential treatment center or psychiatric hospital
• Experience with extremely dysfunctional families and seriously emotionally disturbed children
• Experience in assessment and evaluation.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of social work practices, marriage and family therapy, & psychology.
• Knowledge of extremely dysfunctional family systems and seriously emotionally disturbed children and the applicable modalities for their treatment in a residential treatment setting.
• Knowledge of clinical assessment and evaluation modalities.
• Knowledge of group therapy modalities.
• Ability to write & communicate clearly.
• Ability to provide accurate, timely documentation.
• Demonstrates the necessary attitudes, knowledge and skills to deliver culturally competent services and work effectively in cross-cultural situations.
• Is responsible for accurate and timely data entry that aids Per
• Is responsible for accurate and timely data entry that aids Performance and Quality Improvement (PQI) reporting and case record reviews.
• Is responsible for accurate and timely submission of case records.
• Serves on a quarterly case record review committee for Performance and Quality Improvement (PQI) reporting.
• Serves on department or program Performance and Quality Improvement (PQI) Committee responsible for monitoring goals and reporting.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Occasional :bending, standing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, twisting, and walking.
• Occasional lifting, pushing, and pulling.
• Occasional repetitive motions: Making substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
• Light work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
• The worker is required to have visual acuity to determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned.
• Driving is required for this position.

If driving a car is required for the position, incumbent must have a valid California driver's license and be able to provide proof of DMV record and personal insurance (if required.)


WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The work environment includes homes, schools, offices, and community resources such as recreation facilities, churches or various outing and store locations.
• May include contact with clients with mental health issues who demonstrate behaviors such as cursing, shouting, running away, self-harm and violence.
• Occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions while monitoring clients in the outside courtyard and assisting clients to and from transportation vehicles.
• May be exposed to odors such as fragrances, cleaning products, and clients who experience difficulties with personal hygiene.

DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

In accordance with the requirements of title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ("ADA"), Catholic Charities SF does not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs, or activities. Furthermore, Catholic Charities SF does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring or employment practices and complies with all regulations promulgated by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under title I of the ADA

CATHOLIC CHARITIES IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER and is committed to providing equal employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, legal domicile status, veteran status, disability or AIDS/HIV status or any other characteristic protected under federal or state law.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.