School Based Psychotherapist

Ada Brand•Chicago, IL

12h•Onsite

About The Position

Under the supervision of the Outpatient Clinical Manager, Outpatient Clinical Supervisor, and School Based Clinical Team Lead, the School-Based Psychotherapist provides assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and psychotherapy services to children and adolescents within a school-based setting. Services are delivered onsite at an assigned school as part of Ada S. McKinley’s Behavioral Health Outpatient Services. The clinician is expected to maintain an average of five (5) billable service hours per workday in accordance with program expectations and Illinois Medicaid Rule 132 service definitions. Billable services may include individual therapy, group services, and collateral consultations with school staff and parents/guardians. Each clinician is assigned to one school per day and works collaboratively with school personnel to support students’ emotional wellness and academic engagement.

Requirements

This position requires a minimum of a master’s degree in counseling and guidance, rehabilitation counseling, social work, vocational counseling, psychology, pastoral counseling, family therapy, or a related field.
In addition, the individual must have successfully completed a practicum and or internship which includes a minimum of 1,000 hours, or has one year of clinical experience under a Qualified Mental Health Professional
Also included as a QMHP are physician’s, licensed clinical psychologists, or registered nurses licensed under the Illinois Nursing Act of 1987 with at least one year of clinical experience in a mental health setting.
Completion of required practicum or internship, or at least one year of supervised clinical experience in a mental health setting
Demonstrate the experiences, beliefs, attitude and awareness that indicate cultural sensitivity to the client population served.
Ability to partner with clients individually, in family, to help them mobilize resources and their inner capacity to address problems they face.
Ability to coordinate effectively with other team members, other Agency resources and outside services in addressing client needs.
Strong collaboration skills with school personnel, agency staff, and external providers.
Ability to work independently within a structured school-based schedule.
Strong organizational, documentation, and time management skills.

Responsibilities

Provide direct outpatient clinical services in the school setting, including individual and family therapy, in alignment with each client’s treatment plan and established clinical protocols.
Complete Illinois Medicaid Comprehensive Assessment of Needs and Strengths (IM+CANS) for clients referred for routine or urgent outpatient services, using current DSM and ICD standards or their successors.
Develop, implement, and regularly update individualized treatment plans consistent with agency policy, professional standards, licensing requirements, informed consent, client rights, and confidentiality laws.
Deliver and coordinate all services identified in the treatment plan, including therapy, rehabilitative interventions, case management, linkage to resources, crisis support, and ongoing progress assessment.
Deliver crisis intervention services as needed, including risk assessment, coordination with school administration, consultation with supervisors, and linkage to higher levels of care when appropriate.
Facilitate and co-facilitate therapeutic or SEL-based groups (up to three groups per clinician), supporting social-emotional development and coping skills
Collaborate closely with school staff, administrators, parents/guardians, and internal agency teams to promote coordinated care and continuity of services.
Participate in regular consultation with school personnel regarding student needs, attendance, and progress, while maintaining confidentiality and appropriate information-sharing standards.
Ensure all services meet medical necessity criteria and adhere to informed consent, client rights, confidentiality, and ethical standards.
Ensure clients are linked to appropriate clinical, medical, educational, and community resources during treatment and at transition or discharge.
Participate in clinical case reviews and present cases at required clinical staffing points such as intake, treatment review, and case closure.
Attend and actively participate in required supervision (individual and group) and mandatory quarterly meetings. Supervision is provided by the on-site clinical supervisor and counts as paid work time.
Meet minimum productivity standards based on billable service (5 billable hours per workday)
Complete all clinical documentation accurately and within 48 hours of service delivery, ensuring compliance with medical necessity, billing, and regulatory standards, including scheduling and service entry.
Maintain knowledge of and comply with all applicable regulations and standards governing outpatient mental health services, including Illinois Department of Mental Health and Department of Children and Family Services requirements and mandated reporting laws.
Participate in agency trainings and ongoing professional development to maintain and improve clinical skills and cultural responsiveness.
Collaborate with colleagues, supervisors, and internal and external partners to support coordinated, client-centered care.