PROGRAM THERAPIST- ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE SCHOOL SY 25/26

Description

$56,038 - $85,282 PER YEAR

FULL-TIME

JOB SUMMARY

Program Therapists (Therapists) at The Foundation Schools employ appropriate therapeutic strategies and techniques to promote social, emotional, and academic growth with the goal of improving the students’ ability to access curriculum and be available for learning. Therapists must provide related services in accordance with the students’ IEPs. They provide case management for students by collaborating with parents, guardians, and outside agencies. Therapists effectively manage student behavior through implementation of behavior management systems, school rules, policies, and procedures. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Employ clinical strategies and techniques to provide appropriate therapeutic interventions to encourage students to be school ready
• Ensure counseling and behavioral support service requirements are met to maintain 100% compliance with students’ IEPs and requirements are rendered as prescribed on the IEP
• Demonstrate knowledge of and the ability to adapt a variety of therapeutic interventions and behavior management practices to meet the needs of individual students; evaluate therapeutic effectiveness, document, and make modifications based on data, reflection and feedback
• Assess the need for emergency petitions; ensure procedures are followed and documentation is completed accurately
• Conduct student functional behavioral assessments (FBAs)
• Provide case management for students by collaborating with parents, guardians, and outside agencies; make appropriate referrals for needed services and look for new resources that support students’ social and emotional growth
• Maintain a safe and therapeutic area that is conducive to counseling
• Participate in the development and monitoring of students’ IEPs, BIPs, and FBAs including completion of required documentation within set guidelines
• Complete required related service notes and billing documentation accurately and within assigned deadlines; ensure Medicaid forms are completed by parents/guardians
• Provide clinical supervision to the dedicated aides assigned to the students on their caseloads to help the dedicated aides understand the students’ social, emotional, and academic profile; collaborate with these dedicated aides to develop and implement specialized interventions and incentive plans as needed
• Monitor students’ attendance and truancy; develop incentive plans to address issues as needed; assess the need for and make appropriate referrals to the Links program
• Demonstrate an understanding of how our students’ disabilities impact their behavior and ability to learn; display knowledge of students’ diagnoses and adapt intervention strategies accordingly to meet the requirements of the students’ IEPs and BIPs
• Effectively manage student behavior through implementation of behavior management systems, school rules, policies, and procedures; model appropriate behavior for students during the school day
• Proactively identify behaviors among all students that could lead to a crisis, an unsafe situation or disrupt the learning environment; use effective behavior management techniques to address these behaviors in order to limit the severity and length of disruptions
• Proactively provide supervision of students to ensure the safety and security of the school program at all times
• Maintain student confidentiality in accordance with The Foundation Schools Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest Statement and student record confidentiality procedures
• Demonstrate appropriate use of verbal de-escalation skills to manage student behaviors; utilize the behavior continuum in order to use or consider the use of the least restrictive behavioral interventions necessary; use effective, appropriate, and approved strategies during a crisis including the participation in seclusions, therapeutic holds, escorts, and student restraints when necessary; consistently, and appropriately utilize and model TACT 2 techniques or classroom behavior management strategies
• Work with other therapists, teachers, school leaders, and other team members to determine the student and/or classroom needs and adjust interventions and practices to best meet those needs; work with team to develop interventions and/or incentive plans when appropriate
• Actively participate in committees, meetings, supervision, and professional development activities
• Consistently model and implement the organization’s core values to drive actions and to guide our students to incorporate Teamwork, Work Ethic, Integrity, Respect, and Leadership into positive behaviors
• Comply with all of The Foundation Schools’ policies, rules, protocols, and procedures
• Complete other duties as assigned

BENEFITS

• Company Paid –Group Term Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Short Term Disability, and Long Term Disability Insurances, Employee Assistance Program, 403(b) Retirement Plan (Up to 8% employer contribution after 1 year of service for eligible employees), Educational Funds Assistance, 9 Paid Holidays, Paid Days Leave (PTO), Extended Sick Leave, Scheduled School Leave
• Company and Employee Cost Shared - Health Insurance (include prescription and visions benefits), Dental Insurance
• Employee Paid - Flexible Spending Account Plan (FSA) Medical & Dependent Care Accounts, Supplemental Life Insurance, Supplemental Accident, Hospital and Critical Illness Benefits
• Other Benefits - Credit Union Membership, Free Parking on Site, Professional Development Program

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Experience and Certification

• Master’s degree in social work, psychology, counseling, psychiatric nursing or other related field is required
• Current Maryland clinical license is required; LCPC and LCSW-C are preferred 
• MSDE School Social Worker certification or eligibility for MSDE School Social Worker certification (LGSW or LCSW-C only)
• Three or more years of successful clinical experience working with children and/or adolescents in a school setting is preferred
• Knowledge of DSM and IDEA and their specific applications to educating students with special education needs and emotional and other disabilities preferred
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) abilities are a plus

Physical, Interpersonal and Cognitive 

• Utilize basic office equipment such as computer, tablet, telephone, fax, copier, etc.
• Complete reports and data input while using a variety of computer programs
• Move and carry supplies; light lifting, non-repetitive 
• Maintain a professional demeanor and relationship with students, colleagues, families and community partners
• Work positively and collaboratively with others
• Maintain a professional work ethic and meet the standards of professionalism including appropriate attire, attendance, and timeliness
• Demonstrate effective time management and organization skills 
• Prioritize and plan work activities 
• Use time and resources efficiently, set realistic action plans and goals
• Speak clearly and be understood by others
• Read and express thoughts in a written format
• Possess and demonstrate a high level of mental and emotional balance
• Respond quickly and tactfully to crisis situations while using critical thinking to assess problems
• Work with minimum supervision and meet deadlines
• Physically restrain or assist in student restraints
• Possess sufficient mobility to provide program support and manage student behaviors