Child and Family Therapist

Taking pride in individual work as well as that of the team 

Continually learning to stay current with industry standards, best practices and technology 

As a Sea Mar employee, the individual in this position commits to adherence to these values to their 

utmost ability and endeavors to strengthen and embody this mission daily. 

Job Description 

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be 

assigned. 

ADMINISTRATIVE 

• Assists in insuring agency compliance with WAC's, RCW's, and other pertinent laws, regulations, and contracts. 

• Assists in developing and implementing policies and procedures as directed by the Program Director. 

• Educates staff regarding the process for mental health service referrals and regarding "psycho-educational topics” (suicide risk assessment, behavior modification, etc.) as directed by the Program Manager. 

• Maintains documentation of mental health services and follow through in patient charts. 

CLINICAL DUTIES 

• Provide developmentally and culturally appropriate formal and informal diagnostic assessments for each patient during the program. Document outcomes, justify diagnoses, and communicate with the collaborative partners regarding outcomes and recommendations. It is suggested that this individual communicate with the Primary Care Physicians, Substance Abuse Counselors, schools, case workers, or others involved in the care of the patient. 

• Demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served, specifically children and families. 

• Provide information about assessments and involve family members as active participants in the assessment process and in treatment planning, where appropriate. 

• Collaborate with other professionals in conducting family-centered assessments and treatment planning, when appropriate. 

• Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span. 

• Able to identify and categorize each patient’s age-specific grouping of needs, such as those for infant, adolescent, adult or geriatric patients. 

• Refer patients to psychiatric and medication management services as appropriate. Gather record materials and background information as needed by the community mental health center (See Policies and Procedures). Actively collaborate with the psychiatric service provider to ensure accuracy of presentation and that identified needs are addressed. Provide monitoring regarding the effects of medications, and feedback to the psychiatrist regarding effects/side effects. 

• Provide individual and/or family counseling, in coordination with other system as needed. 

• Provide suicide risk assessment and develop treatment plans to address suicidal ideation or gestures. Use case management as needed to provide follow through and build community support as follow through. Provide other crisis stabilization as needed. 

• Gather information regarding past mental health services to be used in the individual’s treatment plan development. Provide mental health services referrals to patients prior to or following admission, and exchange information with outside service providers. 

• Support other staff regarding mental health needs of staff or patients. Maintain confidentiality, prevent splitting between staff and patients, and offer concrete ideas on handling challenging situations. 

PRODUCTIVITY STANDARD 

Produce a minimum of 80 encounters monthly, that will equal at least 80 hours of face-to-face contact. 

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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• An understanding of the Behavioral Health Organization, County, and/or MCO contracts with the ability to tier clients in a managed care system. The ability to work effectively with all persons and groups with an open mind towards cultural differences and knowledge of cultures. 

• The ability to accurately diagnose mental health issues and develop treatment plans based upon diagnoses. The ability to NOT diagnose behavioral problems as mental illnesses unless appropriate. 

• An understanding of chemical dependency treatment and an ability to coordinate mental health services with chemical dependency treatment providers if necessary. 

• Must complete an annual clinical competency test as a mental health therapist. 

• The Child and Family Clinical Therapist must sign a permanent oath of confidentiality covering all patient related information. 

• This person must pass a background check. 

LANGUAGE SKILLS 

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. 

• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.  

• Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization. 

• Spanish speaking preferred

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS 

• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.  

• Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs. 

REASONING ABILITY 

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. 

• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. 

• Education and Experience, Certificates, Licenses, Registrations, and Medical Screening 

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE 

A Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in psychology, counseling, or social work which includes coursework in psychological diagnostics. Must meet criteria of a Mental Health Professional (MHP). Must possess a Child Mental Health Specialist credential or be working towards credential. Must hold and maintain an active Washington State Agency Affiliated Counselor License (may be pending for up to 60 days if applied for within 7 days of being offered employment) or mental health Associate License (includes Marriage and Family Therapist, Mental Health Counselor, and Clinical Social Worker). 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS 

• This position must obtain Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR within 90 days of hire date and is required to maintain current BLS CPR throughout employment. 

• Must take a TB test annually and at time of hire. 

• Annual influenza vaccine required. Only exception is for employees with a medical or religious exemption approved by Administration. Employees with an approved medical or religious exemption must always wear a mask during the flu season. 

Work Environment 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job, including work within office, school and community settings. Counselors are required to commute between clinics and schools to which they are assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

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, while working in an office setting as well as school and community settings. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and sit. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The employee may be required to travel to, and between, office, school and community settings to perform duties. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.