CLASS SUMMARY:
An in-home therapist provides home-based mental health counseling and psychotherapy services to a caseload of consumers and their families. Duties include initial assessments, crisis intervention, referrals, case management, individual, group, and family therapy. Preparation of technical reports, as well as timely, accurate and confidential record keeping is also required of the incumbent. The designated client population includes seriously emotionally disturbed children and their families. A caseload would consist of 4 to 5 consumers, and their family, with intensive clinical needs. The work requires the ability to develop and implement a time phased treatment plan based on assessment of consumer strengths and needs. The implementation requires direct clinical skills and the ability to complete therapeutically based interventions. The work involves direct and continuous contact with clients referred to the program, their families, and other involved professionals. Interfacing with a multitude of inter-and intra-agency contacts is necessary, including medical personnel, social services agencies, court and law enforcement staff, jail and detention facility staff, agency clinical staff and school professions and para-professionals.
DISTINGUISHING ELEMENTS OF THE CLASS:
I. IMPACT: The incumbent's work provides direct in-home individual and family therapy. The health and welfare of clients are directly dependent on the work of this class. The progress of the child client is directly affected by the counseling and treatment activities of the incumbent. Crisis situations resolved or managed by the incumbent have potential consequences of personal harm to clients and staff. Incumbents work involves close coordination of services with other agencies and must consider policies of multiple agencies. The work of the incumbent is highly visible to consumers, regulatory agencies, the public, other service providers and CSA agencies.
II. LATITUDE: Work is performed independently requiring rapid clinical judgments with regular consultations, clinical supervision and frequent follow-up from the Clinical Services Supervisor of Intensive In-Home Services. Clinical work is guided by standards and practices of the profession, counseling theory, principles of clinical social work practice, and program policies and guidelines. Substantial discretion and independent judgment is exercised in clinical matters on a regular basis.
III. RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WORK OF OTHERS: None.
IV. INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS: Continuous contact is required with consumers, their families of origin and extended families. Regular collateral contacts will occur between in-home therapists and other professional staff involved in the treatment of consumers. Work involves contact with Program Managers, Program Supervisors, clinicians, psychiatrists, local, state and federal assistance agencies, law enforcement, courts, legal representatives, and health care providers and institutions.
V. DIFFICULTY: Work involves the application of highly complex diagnostic and clinical skills to a seriously impaired child and adolescent population presenting a wide range of diagnoses. The position requires the ability to develop and implement a time phased individualized treatment plan based on assessment of client's strengths and needs and those of the family system. Requires the ability to assess, diagnose, treat, and refer children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbance.
VI. COMMUNICATIONS: Work involves direct counseling and the precise use of clinical language. Position involves the constant preparation of documentation, technical records and reports. Work requires frequent oral and written communication with other professionals and presentations at clinical staffings.
VII. EQUIPMENT/FACILITIES RESPONSIBILITY: Incumbent frequently operates a motor vehicle and IBM compatible computer. Incumbent will also use mobile telephone equipment and pager.
VIII. WORKING CONDITIONS: Work frequently involves traveling and visitation to client homes of varying sanitary and health (emotional and physical) conditions. Work may also take incumbent to jails, and out-of-town locations. The incumbent is exposed to hostile and/or aggressive client behaviors presenting a risk of personal harm. Incumbent has on-call responsibilities during off-duty hours for emergencies and rotating on-call coverage. Incumbent will transport clients and families as needed.
IX. KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSA'S):
Thorough knowledge of individual, group and family diagnostic and treatment theories and techniques related to emotionally/behaviorally disturbed, and substance abusing children and adolescents.
Thorough knowledge of ethical issues in counseling, consumer confidentiality, and legal mandates regarding suspected abuse or neglect of children and adolescents.
Thorough knowledge of interviewing and clinical assessment skills relevant to the population served.
Thorough knowledge of human development and behavior.
Thorough knowledge of the symptoms, common behavioral and social characteristics and other manifestations of the disabilities affecting the client population served.
Thorough knowledge of local, state and regional resources and programs for the seriously emotionally disturbed and substance abusing population.
Ability to view and address the total spectrum of service needs.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
Ability to communicate effectively and prepare related documentation.
X. LICENSURE: Valid Virginia driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
XI. PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF CLASS (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY):
Assesses child and family functioning level, assigns diagnoses and ascertains treatment needs.
Provides intensive individual and family therapy to include 24/7 crisis intervention, coping skills, anger management, communication, daily living skills and problem solving skills.
Develops and revises treatment plans to include short and long-term goals and objectives.
Attends and participates in FAPT or informal treatment planning and participates in the development of the FAPT Individualized Service Plan.
Provides ongoing intensive case management services to include comprehensive discharge planning.
Provides ongoing needs assessment of consumer and family including eligibility for services.
Measures, monitors and records client behavior and documents client progress according to established standards and policies to assure protection of client confidentiality.
Tracks and submits billing for units of service.
Monitors medication administration, effectiveness and side effects.
Provides mentoring services or coordinates for the provision of such services.
Attends and participates in weekly individual and bi-monthly group supervision.
Appears and testifies in court proceedings when necessary.
Performs as primary chart keeper.
Prepares correspondence and clinical reports as required.
Does related work as required.
Transport clients as necessary.
XII. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Must have the use of sensory skills in order to effectively communicate and interact with other employees and the public through the use of the telephone and personal contact as normally defined by the ability to see, read, talk, hear, handle or feel objects and controls. Physical capability to effectively use and operate various items of office related equipment, such as, but not limited to a, personal computer, calculator, copier, and fax machine. Some walking, moving, carrying, climbing, bending, kneeling, crawling, reaching, and handling, sitting, standing, pushing, and pulling.
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