School Based Licensed Counselor / Therapist

Connecticut Institute For Communities, Inc. (Cifc) - Danbury, CT

Full-time

Hybrid - Danbury, CT

Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development

About the position

Connecticut Institute for Communities, Inc. (CIFC Health) is seeking a licensed behavioral health clinician (LCSW, LPC, LMFT) to provide school-based therapy to CIFC Health patients. This full-time position operates during the school year (44 weeks), with typical hours from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The clinician will perform diagnostic psychosocial evaluations, develop care plans with clients and their families, and offer individual, family, or group therapy as appropriate. Additionally, the clinician will conduct care coordination and document all clinical interventions in accordance with CIFC Health policy and state regulatory expectations. The role involves completing initial behavioral health evaluations and providing psychotherapy to children in an outpatient clinic within a school setting. The clinician will conduct outreach within the school to identify students who would benefit from in-school mental health therapy and consult with providers both within and outside the agency regarding treatment plans and patient progress. Coordination with psychiatric consultants for diagnostic and consultative needs is also required, along with referrals for medication management as necessary. The clinician will attend clinical team meetings as assigned and meet productivity standards outlined during annual performance appraisals, focusing on quality clinical care. Encouraging clients to express their feelings and discussing their life situations will be essential in helping them develop insight into themselves and their relationships. The clinician will perform crisis interventions, assess immediate safety concerns, and guide clients in developing skills or strategies to address identified goals. Treatment plans will be developed and implemented based on clinical experience and knowledge, adhering to state regulatory and joint commission standards. The effectiveness of ongoing treatment will be evaluated, and modifications will be made as needed based on changes in clients' status. Supporting family members in understanding and assisting clients will also be a key responsibility. The clinician will maintain awareness of new developments in the field and gather information about community mental health needs or resources that could complement therapy.

Responsibilities

• Complete initial behavioral health evaluations; individual, group and family psychotherapy with children in an outpatient clinic within a school.
• Conduct outreach within the school to identify students who would benefit from in-school mental health therapy.
• Consult with providers within and outside the agency regarding the treatment plan and progress of the patients.
• Coordinate as needed with psychiatric consultants for diagnostic and consultative needs; refer as necessary for medication management.
• Attend clinical team meetings as assigned.
• Meet productivity standards as outlined annually during employee's performance appraisal review with a focus on quality clinical care.
• Encourage clients to express their feelings and discuss what is happening in their lives, helping them to develop insight into themselves or their relationships.
• Perform crisis interventions with clients.
• Assess for immediate safety concerns, including high-risk patients/clients who may be at risk for homicide, suicide, and domestic violence.
• Guide clients in the development of skills or strategies for dealing with identified goals.
• Develop and implement treatment plans based on clinical experience and knowledge according to state regulatory and joint commission standards.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of ongoing treatment on clients' progress in resolving identified problems and moving towards defined objectives.
• Modify treatment activities or approaches, as needed, to comply with changes in clients' status.
• Work with and support family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, or supporting clients or patients.
• Maintain awareness within discipline about new developments in the field.
• Gather information about community mental health needs or resources that could be used in conjunction with therapy.
• Complete all documentation required by state regulations and CIFC Behavioral Health department bylaws in a timely manner, including but not limited to intake, prior authorization requests, progress notes, treatment plan documentation, and discharge.
• Complete and lock all treatment notes no later than 72 hours following visit.
• Complete reports as required for outside agencies such as DCF, Family Relations, probation, and others with appropriate releases signed by clients.
• Participate as a member of agency-wide committees as assigned.

Requirements

• Must hold current CT LCSW, LPC, or LMFT License issued by DPH.
• Bilingual candidates strongly encouraged to apply.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation
• Eligible for loan forgiveness applications through NACHC approved site.