Psychological Services Associate 2 (Local Government) - Bedford/Somerset County MH/ID

Thank you for checking out our position! Bedford-Somerset Developmental and Behavioral Health Services (DBHS) has been serving the Bedford and Somerset communities for 55 years! Our vision is for every person and family that we serve will have a network of family, friends, advocates, and supportive services to live a full and productive life in our community.

This opportunity is for a therapist to provide school based counseling services in local schools. School therapists work on-site to assess student needs, provide consultation and education to school personnel, and make referrals. This position also provides counseling services in an outpatient program to individuals of all ages. Our therapists establish written goal-specific treatment plans; serve as a resource to collaborate on mental health cases with colleagues, community individuals, or other agencies; and provide the highest quality of services.

We offer a supportive work environment, an excellent benefit package including a new student loan reimbursement incentive program, and opportunities for career advancement! Do not miss this opportunity to become part of our talented team, apply today!

This professional therapist position provides School Based Counseling services in schools and outpatient services in the Bedford County Clinical Services Unit.

School Based Counseling duties:

• Provide group, individual, and play therapy to children and adolescents in the school
• Provide consultation and education to school personnel, community individuals, and agencies relating to mental health issues and resources
• Complete on-site school mental health assessments and intakes for students identified by the school
• Assess student needs and complete appropriate referrals
• Coordinate with Crisis Intervention staff in handling mental health emergencies in schools

• Provide individual therapy, family therapy, couples counseling, and group counseling to people of all ages utilizing various professional techniques
• Responsible for collaborating with clientele and establishing within the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) a strengths-based, goal-specific treatment plan
• Provide professional mental health consultation to other staff and community individuals or agencies
• Perform Therapy Diagnostic Evaluations in order to enroll clientele in counseling and psychiatric services as well as to assess areas of need that might be effectively addressed by other MH programs and services
• Make referrals to other programs as warranted
• Coordinate care with the Crisis Intervention staff in an effort facilitate crisis assessments related to voluntary hospitalizations when necessary
• Roughly once a year, provide an eight-week, hourly group session related to the Extended Out Patient Program focusing on topics that promote self- care, self-management, and self-recovery
• Attend meetings, participate in staff development trainings, and assist with presentations/trainings to community organizations as needed
• Perform other related duties as required

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch. Work hours must be adjusted to meet consumer needs, requests, and in the event of an emergency.
• Telework: This position reports to the DBHS Office for work. Upon hire, new staff begin training and are on probation for 6 months. New staff may be eligible for a hybrid of on-site and remote work after 3-months of employment.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• One year of experience as a Psychological Services Associate 1 or one year of professional experience in psychological services work; and a master's degree in psychology or a closely related field.

Other Requirements:

• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• You must pass a background investigation.
• This position falls under the provisions of the Older Adult Protective Services Act.
  1. Under the Act, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports, including but not limited to, PA State Police and FBI clearance.
• This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.
  1. Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Veterans:

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  1. your score may be lower than deserved.
  2. you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.