| WCSI Position Title: | Behavioral Therapist/Supervisor |
| Position Classification: | Psychological Services Supervisor |
| MCR Code: | P4032 |
| Department: | Behavioral Health |
| Supervisor: | BH Program Manager |
| Position Status: | Full-Time/Regular/Non-Exempt |
| Prepared Date: | 04/20/2023 |
Summary
This is a full-time non-exempt position that provides individual and group behavioral health therapy and psychosocial assessment to identified Westmoreland County Prison (WCP) inmates diagnosed with persistent and severe behavioral health disorders and may also be dually diagnosed (intellectually disabled or have drug and alcohol disorder). The Therapist/Supervisor works in partnership with all WCP staff, including contracted treatment providers to identify inmates who are at risk and/or symptomatic, and implements appropriate treatment and interventions to meet identified needs. This position works as an interdisciplinary treatment team member to prepare the inmates for seamless re-entry into the community, supervising two (2) Treatment Specialists and overseeing psychoeducation groups facilitated by the Treatment Specialist staff.
Primary work hours will be Monday through Friday, 7:30AM to 3:30PM with a ½ hour unpaid lunch (37.5 hrs/week), unless otherwise agreed upon.
Compliance:
As with all WCSI positions, it is the expectation that employees adhere to WCSI, County, State and Federal guidelines, regulation, policies and laws which govern the business and service of WCSI.
Other Requirements of this Position: The employee will be required to adhere to the policies/procedures of Westmoreland County Prison.
This position requires the employee to perform their daily
job duties and responsibilities in a structured work environment.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Include the following, (other duties may be assigned as deemed necessary by management):
:
Clinical Activities:
Provides individual and group therapy to WCP inmates, adhering to established best practices for outpatient care.
Develops and implements comprehensive psychosocial assessments, screening tools, and self-reporting tools.
Develops, implements, and oversees the structure of psychoeducation groups, focusing on symptoms of diagnosis, developing coping skills, medication management, and other identified skills, to prepare participants for re-entry into the community.
Provides guidance and supervision to Treatment Specialists, oversees facilitation of psychoeducation groups with involved inmates, and monitors the preparation of inmates for seamless re-entry into the community.
Works with prison staff and contracted treatment providers to identify appropriate inmates to be enrolled in the BH Supports and Treatment Program.
Evaluates inmate progress to determine success/failure of the treatment program.
Document and chart treatment notes according to widely accepted best practice standards.
Participates in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings, as required.
Crisis Intervention Activities
Provides crisis intervention to inmates, as needed, and provides crisis intervention consultation to all members of the treatment team. Evaluates inmates and works within the corrections setting to arrange for urgent psychiatric care, if needed, ensuring that all alternatives to hospitalization have been explored.
Compliance:
Maintains records according to WCSI and widely accepted best
practice standards. Attends specially designed training programs provided
through WCSI, County, State, and Federal agencies.
Program Supervision and Coordination:
Responsible for the day-to-day supervision, coordination, and implementation of Treatment Specialist staff activities, for the purpose of efficient and effective service delivery. Monitors the compiling, maintenance, and review of necessary records. Ensures the preparation and maintenance of statistics and reporting.
Staff Supervision and Evaluation:
Provides ongoing supervision to BH Supports and Treatment Program staff. Completes staff performance evaluations and implements agency personnel policies and procedures as necessary. Assures staff’s submission of necessary documentation and paperwork. Assists in the interviewing and hiring of staff in conjunction with the BH Program Manager and BH Director.
Staff Development and Training:
Develops staff development/training plans for Treatment Specialist staff based on the individual strengths/areas of weakness of each employee. Seeks out and disseminates information regarding education opportunities within the guidelines of agency policy and procedures, and within the fiscal parameters of program budgets.
Program Development and Planning:
In conjunction with BH Program Manager and BH Director, provides direction, leadership, and training to staff in reference to program planning and development in order to most effectively meet inmate and overall agency needs. May assist in the development of departmental procedures and the annual reporting, including statistical and tracking reports, related to the developmental and operational goals of the BH program.
Community Education and Public Relations:
Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with inmates, families, staff, supervisors, and other providers, including county/state agencies and professional groups/organizations.
Professional/Technical Responsibilities:
Extensive knowledge of theories, principles, and techniques related to
treatment provided, including Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive
Behavioral Therapy, and other therapeutic modalities. Employee will maintain
knowledge of the operations and policies of WCP, and adhere to these policies
and procedures. Ability to establish/maintain effective working relationship
with inmates, associates, and agency personnel. Ability to prepare clear,
concise documentation and reports and to communicate effectively, both orally
and in writing.
Supervisor Responsibility
The BH Therapist/Supervisor reports to the BH Program Manager and may
also take direction and guidance from the BH Director. Directly supervises
employees in the BH Department as designated on the WCSI Organizational Chart.
Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s
policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring,
firing, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work;
appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing
complaints and resolving problems.
Qualifications
:
The BH Therapist/Supervisor reports to the BH Program Manager and may also take direction and guidance from the BH Director. Directly supervises employees in the BH Department as designated on the WCSI Organizational Chart. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, firing, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
Education and/or Experience:
Must have Master’s Degree in either Counseling, Therapy, Social Work or related field. License preferred. Previous experience working with individuals involved in the criminal justice system, and three years’ experience working in community behavioral health setting also preferred.
The ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business information, periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental bulletins/regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Effectively present information, and respond to questions from agency, county, and state representatives.
Certificates,
Registrations, Licenses:
Valid PA Driver’s License, Proof of Valid Auto Insurance, Act 34 (Criminal
Record), and Act 33 (Child Abuse) and FBI Clearance. There will be monthly
screenings of PA Medicheck List, LEIE (List of Excluded Individuals/Entities) and
SAM (System for Award Management).
Other:
As a requirement of employment, certain personal information (Birth Date, Driver’s License, Diplomas, Transcripts, etc.) can be shared in a confidential communication as related to regulations, licensure and/or insurance carrier contracts.
As with all WCSI positions, this position will adhere to all random drug screening requirements, as set forth by WCSI Policy.
ENVIRONMENT, PHYSICAL and MENTAL CONDITIONS
Physical/Mental
Demands:
Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting, to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach and twist; to lift and carry light to moderate (15 pounds) amounts of weight, to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; to travel to other locations using various modes of private and commercial transportation; and to verbally communicate to exchange information. Requires the ability to see, within the normal vision range, with or without correction. Requires the ability to hear, within the normal audio range, with or without correction. Work responsibilities will require excellent problem-solving skills and organizational skills. Will be exposed to situations which are urgent or emergent, which may require immediate action. Responsibilities require multi-tasking, with extensive employee contact and frequent interruptions, which could be time sensitive and/or have deadlines. Will require management of requests and situations that occur at the same time.
Work Environment:
Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment. with extensive employee contact and frequent interruptions. Work may be required outside the office environment in relation to needs of the organization. This can include overnight travel. Exposure to outside weather conditions will exist. The noise level in the work environment is low to moderate.
Position Funding:
This position’s funding is determined by WCSI’s allocation process. Incumbent in this position may be required to complete a WCSI Time Study, frequency determined by Fiscal Management, for purposes of this allocation process.
Reasonable Accommodation:
It is WCSI’s business philosophy and practice to provide
reasonable accommodations, according to applicable state and federal laws, to
all qualified individuals with disabilities.
This position description is not an employment agreement or contract, but rather a description of the expectations of job duties and responsibilities as assigned to this position. Management has the exclusive right to alter the scope of work within the framework of this position description and the position classification, at any time without prior notice.
