Therapist (professional counselor / must be licensed)

Domestic Violence Center of Chester County•West Whiteland Township, PA

153d

About The Position

LICENSED THERAPIST/PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR for CLIENTS Work Week: 40 Hours (required to work some evenings) FLSA Status: Exempt Reports to: Chief Operating Officer Job Summary: Provide holistic services to meet needs of underserved populations such as elderly victims of crime, victims of human trafficking, and victims with mental illness by using evidenced-based trauma approaches and advocacy interventions to empower victims and connect them to other services. Apply trauma treatments such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to assist victims with reducing trauma induced mental health symptoms in the past and current since many victims are under threat of ongoing abuse or stalking, which directly impacts their physical and psychological safety.

Requirements

Able to work under pressure and adhere to deadlines.
Strong commitment to the mission and goals of DVCCC, professional work goals and personal development.
Thorough knowledge and understanding of issues confronted by victims of abuse.
Able to work with victim/survivors and their children. Able to work with a diverse population and assist them with addressing life’s challenges
Able to deal with crisis and confrontation.
Knowledge of current social service principles, Social Work Code of Ethics, techniques and methods. Significant training experience, specifically in social services.
Much of the work performed is sedentary in nature yet may require the employee to exert themselves with minimal force and/or be able lift or move light objects associated with the job responsibilities.
Must be willing to work flexible hours to meet program needs and grantor accountability requirements.
Adhere to all agency policies and procedures (attendance, work hours, paperwork, etc.)
Child abuse, criminal and FBI clearances as required by the state and DVCCC.
Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office Products.
Must have transportation to travel to DVCCC’s other sites and meetings and trainings
Substantial and relevant management and leadership experience.
Master’s Degree required
Minimum Training and Experience
Master’s Degree , Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), MSW in Social Services/Mental Health required and a minimum of two years’ experience working in public or private social services

Nice To Haves

A knowledge base, education or training specific to domestic violence is preferred.
Bi Lingual Strongly Preferred

Responsibilities

Maintain strict confidentiality of all client identification and information. May disclose confidential information only with valid, informed consent from a client or party legally authorized to consent on behalf of client.
Provide victims with crisis counseling, follow-up counseling, group treatment/ support groups, shelter/safe house, information and referral, emergency financial assistance, assistance in filing compensation claims, special services and telephone contact/information and referral. Duties required but not limited to the following:
Provides crisis counseling which includes in-person crisis intervention, emotional support, guidance, and counseling. Such counseling may occur: at the scene of a crime; immediately after a crime; at the first contact between a counselor and victim in an emergency room, at a police station, at a district attorney’s office; or during in-person contact for the duration of the crisis experience.
Provides follow-up counseling which includes in-person and telephone individual emotional support, empathetic listening, and guidance for other than crisis reaction after the victimization that is designed to meet the needs of crime victims.
Provides group treatment/support groups which include the coordination and provision of supportive group activities. This category includes self-help, peer, social support, drop-in groups, and community crisis intervention in a group setting designed specifically for crime victims.
Provides information and referrals which includes in-person contact with victims to identify services offered and support available by sub-grant projects and other community agencies.
Provides emergency financial assistance which includes payment for taxis, food, emergency shelter, clothing, and emergency safety measures.
Provides assistance in filing compensation claims which includes identifying and notifying crime victims of the availability of compensation, referring victims for further assistance to another local program (Crime Victims Center), providing assistance with application forms and procedures, obtaining necessary documentation, checking on claim status, and advocacy.
Provides special services which include assistance with addressing the immediate practical problems created by the victimization. This also includes acting on behalf of the victim with other service providers, securing childcare for counseling or other appointments that pertain to the victimization and securing transportation that assist the victim with attending appointments relevant to the victimization.
Provides telephone contact / Information and referrals to victims.
Attend a minimum of 15 hours of training annually.
Assist with training other individuals in the Social Service Systems.
Assist with answering hotline and/or office line.
Participate in all agency-wide events: 45 hour advocate training, October Awareness, Volunteer Recognition, Various Celebrations, Fairs, etc.
Attend staff meetings, management team meetings and other required meetings.
Assist with accomplishing agency-wide annual goals and objectives.
Assist with keeping the facility clean and neat.
Prepares a monthly progress and challenge report for supervisor.
Assist with agency’s public education events.
Assist with the integration of core services with new agency services.
Work with other agency managers to coordinate services for victim/survivors.
Work collaboratively with social service agencies, hospitals, clinics, and other community resources to assist with the external coordination of services for victim/survivors.
Represent DVCCC professionally at engagements, fairs, etc.
Able to establish effective working relationships with staff, volunteers, and internal and external colleagues.
Other VOCA duties as assigned.