Clinician, OLP, CFTSS

About Our Organization: 

St. Catherine’s Center for Children is a leading non-profit organization in New York’s Greater Capital District. Our comprehensive range of human services reach more than 1,000 children, 600 families, and hundreds of adults across Upstate New York each year. We offer residential and therapeutic foster care programs for children and youth, Kinship support, homeless and community-based services for adults and families, a special education elementary school for ages 5-13, and so much more.

Our spectrum of services for children, families and individuals suffering from the lasting effects of abuse and neglect, family instability, mental illness, homelessness and other ongoing traumas, is continuing to grow. St. Catherine’s employs more than 300 full and part-time staff, and is committed to cultivating a culture where all employees can bring their authentic and best selves to the workplace. Our DEI-B initiatives are designed to support and build a more equitable, inclusive and diversified workplace, one which exemplifies true respect and dignity. 

Our Mission: 

St. Catherine's Center for Children provides a comprehensive range of human services designed to offer hope, foster growth, and improve the lives of the children, families and adults we serve.

Overview/ Job Summary:

Our qualified and dedicated staff provide a range of assessment, counseling and crisis support services to youth with mental health and developmental issues in order to improve their health and well-being, and to maintain them in their homes and communities. Services are delivered in the youth’s home, school or other community setting, and are always goal-directed based on the individual needs of that youth and family. 

The Community Based OLP Clinician will provide Other Licensed Professional (OLP) services, which are clinical evaluation and treatment services under the Children and Family Treatment Support Services (CFTSS) array, a Medicaid State Plan Service for children with, or at risk of, behavioral health conditions. 

 OLP services, like all CFTSS services, are intended to be delivered in a child’s home, school and community, and are designed to prevent the progression of behavioral health needs through early identification and intervention and may be provided to children/youth in need of assessment for whom behavioral health conditions have not yet been diagnosed. 

The OLP Clinician will spend a minimum of 17 hours of their work week in direct service with clients, and may increase commensurate with client/program needs and staff caseload. These 17 supervision hours are applicable toward the LMSW, LCSW, LMHC, etc. requirements.

!!! $2K Signing Bonus!!! This is an Autonomous, self-directed position with a Flexible Schedule and some Remote Work available

Duties & Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Will provide all OLP services in accordance with the guidelines set for the in the NYS “Children and Family Treatment Support Services Manual”. These include: Licensed Evaluation, Counseling (Psychotherapy), and Crisis Services. 
• Develop Treatment Plans using the principles of Person-Centered Planning and Individualized Care.
• Ensure that recommended services meet the Medical Necessity guidelines as set forth in the “Children and Family Treatment Support Services Manual”.
• Provide services on-site or in the community which may include the child’s home, school or other community setting, as indicated on the Treatment Plan.
• Document the delivery of all services in the AWARDS EHR following all Medicaid and Managed Care Organization standards. 
• Enter progress notes as contemporaneously as possible to the event, but no later than 5 business days post event.
• Work with the MCO Liaison to provide documentation needed for the re-authorization of services when warranted. 
• Provide ongoing individual, group, and family therapy.
• Provide 1on 1 teaching, coaching, and rehabilitative counseling to build the skills and capacities of a youth struggling with mental health and developmental challenges.
• Assist families to better understand and parent a child with mental health and developmental needs.
• Timely and accurately document the delivery of services in an electronic health record.
• Local travel to provide the services in the youth home, school or other community setting.
• Provide clinical direction and guidance to the other CFTSS service providers to ensure their work supports the achievement of the treatment plan goals set forth in the child’s treatment plan.
• Consult with other treatment providers, as needed, to ensure that treatment plan goals are aligned, and when applicable, consistent with the child’s Health Home Care Plan.
• Provide a sufficient number of billable service hours to support the fiscal health of the program. This target number will be established by the Clinical Supervisor and may be adjusted at any time, depending on the needs of the program.
• Maintain one’s clinical License in accordance with the specific requirements set for by NYS State Education Department. Failure to maintain one’s license could lead to suspension until such time that the license is renewed.
• Provide services outside the normal business hours to accommodate the needs of the children and families.
• Additional position-related duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Clinical Supervisor of OLP Services.

Essential Functions:

• Ability to write and understand the written word with special emphasis on required documentation including client progress notes and treatment plans; and to carry out written and electronic documentation as required by St. Catherine’s policy and as required by regulating agencies that have oversight responsibility for St. Catherine’s programs.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a treatment team, and to provide guidance and support to non-clinical team members.
• Ability to organize and effectively manage the varied tasks of the position and meet all deadlines for documentation completion.
• Provide services using a trauma-informed and strength-based perspective.
• The ability to establish a respectful relationship with persons served to help them gain skills and confidence.
• Maintain a positive, strength-based approach with clients at all times.
• Mobility, in terms of home visits to clients’ homes, and to make other on-site contacts with referring agencies, collaborative agencies, foster homes, etc. when clinically indicated.
• Ability to interact with a wide range of people, including those who are culturally and socio-economically diverse, as well as people with various developmental and cognitive functioning levels.
• Ability and conceptualizations necessary to embrace and work effectively within a therapeutic-based program.
• The ability to establish a respectful relationship with persons served to help them gain skills and confidence to thrive independently, empowering them to solve their own problems.
• The ability to work collaboratively with other personnel and/ or service providers or professionals.
• The capacity to maintain a helping role and to intervene appropriately to meet clinical goals, while setting appropriate limits.
• Self-motivated and engaged, with a strong attention to detail.
• Outstanding communication skills, excellent writing aptitude.
• Demonstrated placidity and patience, flexibility and adaptability.
• Assess and treat children and families, utilizing the modalities of individual, family, and/or group therapy.

Position Specifications:

• Master's Degree from an accredited university.
• Community Based Clinician’s must meet one of the following requirements: 
  • Licensed Psychoanalyst
  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
  • Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
  • Licensed Masters Social Worker (LMSW) when under the supervision of licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs), licensed psychologists, or psychiatrists.
• New Graduates operating under a “limited permit” may also be considered.
• 2-3 years of experience conducting trauma-focused assessments and counseling to youth suspected to have experienced abuse, neglect and maltreatment or other forms of trauma.
• Experience working with SED/DD children preferred.
• Clean and valid NYS driver’s license for at least one year, with reliable (fully insured) vehicle for transporting clients - with proof of 100/300 liability coverage.
• Ability to work with clients with mental health issues, substance abuse and developmental disabilities.
• Ability to work flexible hours to accommodate client schedules, which may include evening hours. 
• Experience in the use of Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI), with the ability to respond effectively and therapeutically in crisis situations.
• Excellent organization, planning and time management skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and exhibit empathy for those in need. 
• Ability to build strong working relationships with regulatory bodies.
• Proficiency in various computer applications: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Business Workspace Suite (Gmail, Google Docs, Meet, Sheets, etc.); and secure Internet practices.
• Experience with AWARDS a plus!
• Ability to function well in a high-paced and, at times, stressful environment.
• Ability to handle sensitive data with strict confidentiality.
• Must have the ability to pass required pre-employment background checks.

What Do We Offer You?

• $2,000 Sign-on* Bonus!!
• Competitive Pay with an Excellent Benefits Package
• Health Insurance options*: Medical, Dental and Vision
• Generous Combined Leave Time and loads of PAID Holidays*! 
• $500 Employee Referral* Bonus
• Professional Development & Career Growth Opportunities
• We are a 501(c) (3) agency, which is a qualifying employer for eligible staff under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness* Program
• Pension Plan with Aggressive Agency contribution*
• Life Insurance – Automatic Benefit at no cost to employee!!
• Paid Training* including TCI and CPR/AED/First Aid Certification Update courses, if role appropriate
• Tuition Reimbursement* 
• Travel/ Mileage Reimbursement*
• Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
• The Comfort of a Business Casual Environment.

*To qualify, certain conditions may apply

Background Checks: We run a thorough and complete pre-employment background check on all candidates being considered for a position, this includes fingerprinting. All candidates must successfully clear the pre-employment background check process, which follows NYS/DOJ requirements. We pay for all pre-employment background checks!

EEO Statement: St. Catherine’s Center for Children is committed to creating a diverse environment and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, reproductive health and pregnancy, family history and genetics, disability, age, military status, veteran status, politics, or other beliefs, and any other characteristics protected by law.