Program Lead & Group Therapist

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SUBSIDIARY: The Center for Autism (CFA)

PROGRAMS:

Specialized Autism Services (SAS)

• STEP Program

• Treatment for older teens and young adults, focused on teaching pre-vocational and independent life skills

• Social Competency Program

• Treatment for children and adolescents aged 6-16, focused on developing key social skills

LOCATION: 4601 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19139

ROLE TYPE: Full-time

JOB OVERVIEW:

The Program Lead & Group Therapist reports to the Director of Outpatient Services. The position is responsible for ensuring the operational and clinical integrity of the STEP program at CFA's Market Street location. This includes staffing, clinical oversight, daily operations, and related administrative responsibilities. This individual also provides center-based support, education, and counseling to clients and families in STEP and serves as a Mental Health Professional (MHP) in Social Competency.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Operational/Administrative

• Partner with the Director of Outpatient Services to develop, refine, and implement the clinical model of the STEP Program.

• Serve as the lead consulting clinician for STEP programming at the assigned CFA site to assess treatment needs for clients and provide consultation, as needed, to therapists in the treatment rooms.

• Provide client-centered, family-focused supportive services, education, and advocacy as agreed upon by the STEP Lead and family. Focus is aimed at implementing treatment strategies that are relevant to the home and community setting, including aftercare planning for families upon discharge.

• Oversee the treatment planning process, observing clients in treatment rooms on a regular basis to assess progress and making adjustments in treatment plans as needed for STEP and Social Competency.

• Plan, coordinate, and facilitate group therapy with participants in Social Competency, reflective of the group's developmental level and clinical needs.

• Guide new employees in understanding appropriate responsiveness to clients in a group setting.

• Collaborate with the client's treatment team to keep abreast of progress across settings, providing clinical support to the treatment team as needed, including providing assistance and direction with crisis assessments and intervention, room coverage, and behavioral/emotional support to clients in STEP.

• Ensure STEP program notes meet compliance standards and ensure accountability for staff documentation.

• Complete authorization and reauthorization forms for clients who have private insurance.

• Ensure the STEP program meets all Outpatient regulatory requirements, in partnership with the Outpatient Director and Training & Quality Management (TQM).

• Conduct audits of STEP client files for quality assurance in accordance with CFA policy and ensure that all documentation meets regulatory and quality standards through regular client chart audits.

• Track weekly census and report to the Outpatient Director.

• Collaborate with Facilities regarding any worksite maintenance or facility needs that need to be addressed. Be responsible for keeping the Outpatient Director aware of these issues.

• Collaborate with the Help Desk for any IT needs for the worksite.

• Be responsible for program-related purchasing needs.

• Maintain the program budget in collaboration with the Outpatient Director.

• Coordinate and collaborate with other departments surrounding shared clients and for site-wide events or activities for clients.

• Address client grievances with support from the Outpatient Director when needed.

• Coordinate transportation needs for clients and problem-solve when issues arise.

• Develop relationships with outside agencies.

Personnel Management

• Ensure high-quality clinical service delivery across programs. Hold monthly meetings for Mental Health Professionals (MHP) and Mental Health Workers (MHW).

• Work to instill a sense of teamwork and commitment to a common goal. Ensure that all staff are aligned with the program mission, values, and vision and work effectively as a team to achieve positive outcomes for clients in the program.

• Serve as a backup in the Social Competency Program Lead's absence.

• Ensure quality staffing across the program, achieved through completing interviews and the hiring process for MHPs and MHWs in STEP.

• Lead staff by giving productive feedback and setting limits.

• Oversee and manage all timecard activities, including PTO review and approval, for the team.

• Work with the administrative team and Training to identify and implement staff development and retention initiatives.

• Demonstrate active and ongoing collaboration and partnership with other CFA teams to ensure the delivery of effective and efficient services that meet the needs of clients, stakeholders, funders, and regulating entities.

• Lead and monitor staff trainings for new hires and provide ongoing training for current staff.

Regulatory

• Ensure program compliance with PA DHS Outpatient regulations.

• Ensure program compliance with The Center for Autism's policy and procedural guidelines.

• Ensure program compliance with all federal, state, and local laws.

In-Services

• Participate in and complete all mandatory in-services.

• Participate in at least ten hours of documented additional in-services.

SKILLS:

• Thorough knowledge of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), typical child development, and family-focused approaches to treatment

• Ability to work effectively with diverse families and support an inclusive and equitable environment

• Excellent leadership skills

• Ability and willingness to be a team player

EDUCATION: Master's degree from an accredited program in a field related to human services such as psychology, counseling, social work, marriage and family therapy, etc.

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of two years of experience providing direct care to individuals with autism

• Experience working with behavioral and relationship models

• Experience working as part of and guiding a team, including developing consensus

• Experience in developing and ensuring compliance with clinical and administrative policies and procedures

• Preferred: Management/supervision experience

LICENSURE (strongly preferred): Clinical mental health license in Pennsylvania as a Professional Counselor (LPC), Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Must have the physical ability to comply with agency-endorsed physical intervention programs and engage in physical therapeutic activities with clients

CLEARANCES: PA state criminal history report, PA child abuse clearance, and FBI criminal history report

SALARY GRADE: 19

PHMC is an Equal Opportunity and E-Verify Employer.