Child and Family Therapist

Sea Mar Community Health Centers•Seattle, WA

About The Position

Sea Mar Community Health Centers is recruiting a Child and Family Therapist to provide behavioral health services in a community health setting. The role supports Sea Mar’s mission of delivering respectful, client-centered, culturally aware services and requires adherence to the organization’s values, including compassion, integrity, advocacy, teamwork, and ongoing learning. The therapist provides developmentally and culturally appropriate assessments and counseling for children and families; involves families in assessment and treatment planning; coordinates care with primary care providers, psychiatric providers, substance abuse counselors, schools, case workers, and other partners; and supports crisis response, suicide risk assessment, referrals, and medication monitoring. Administrative responsibilities include supporting regulatory compliance, policy implementation, staff education, and accurate service documentation. The position works across office, school, and community settings and requires commuting between assigned clinics and schools. The organization requires COVID-19 and influenza vaccination, subject to the stated flu-vaccine exemption process. Compensation is $33.23 per hour.

Requirements

Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in psychology, counseling, or social work, including coursework in psychological diagnostics.
Must meet the criteria of a Mental Health Professional (MHP).
Must possess a Child Mental Health Specialist credential or be working toward the credential.
Must hold and maintain an active Washington State Agency Affiliated Counselor License or mental health associate license, including Marriage and Family Therapist, Mental Health Counselor, or Clinical Social Worker. The license may be pending for up to 60 days if applied for within 7 days of being offered employment.
Must complete an annual clinical competency test as a mental health therapist.
Must sign a permanent oath of confidentiality covering patient-related information.
Must pass a background check.
Must obtain Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR within 90 days of hire and maintain current BLS CPR throughout employment.
Must take a TB test annually and at time of hire.
Annual influenza vaccination is required; employees with an approved medical or religious exemption must wear a mask throughout flu season.
Must understand Behavioral Health Organization, County, and/or MCO contracts and be able to tier clients in a managed-care system.
Must work effectively with people and groups across cultural differences and demonstrate knowledge of cultures.
Must be able to diagnose mental health issues accurately and develop diagnosis-based treatment plans, without misclassifying behavioral problems as mental illnesses when inappropriate.
Must understand chemical dependency treatment and coordinate mental health services with chemical dependency treatment providers when necessary.
Must have reading, writing, speaking, basic mathematical, and practical problem-solving abilities described in the posting.
Must be able to perform the physical demands of the role, with reasonable accommodations where applicable.

Responsibilities

Assist with agency compliance with WACs, RCWs, and other applicable laws, regulations, and contracts.
Assist in developing and implementing policies and procedures as directed by the Program Director.
Educate staff about mental health service referrals and psychoeducational topics, as directed by the Program Manager.
Maintain documentation of mental health services and ensure follow-through in patient charts.
Conduct developmentally and culturally appropriate formal and informal diagnostic assessments; document outcomes, justify diagnoses, and communicate recommendations to collaborative partners.
Provide care appropriate to the ages of patients served, particularly children and families, and apply knowledge of growth and development across the lifespan.
Provide assessment information and involve family members in assessment and treatment planning when appropriate.
Collaborate with other professionals on family-centered assessments and treatment planning.
Refer patients to psychiatric and medication-management services when appropriate; gather records and background information and collaborate with psychiatric providers.
Monitor medication effects and provide feedback to the psychiatrist about effects and side effects.
Provide individual and/or family counseling in coordination with other systems as needed.
Conduct suicide risk assessments and develop treatment plans addressing suicidal ideation or gestures.
Provide case management, follow-through, community support, and crisis stabilization as needed.
Gather information about prior mental health services for treatment planning, provide mental health service referrals, and exchange information with outside providers.
Support staff regarding mental health needs of staff or patients while maintaining confidentiality and offering practical ideas for challenging situations.