Job Specification Details

Delivery therapeutic supports and coordination of care for the Secure residential facility. Duties include being part of a multidisciplinary team while delivering individual and group psychotherapeutic supports, comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments and discharge planning. Additional duties may include training of staff, documentation review, and clinical consultation. May be responsible for conducting additional psychological testing and/or assessments. Duties are performed under the general direction of the Program Director. Supervision may be exercised over subordinate staff, graduate interns, and others on a regular or project basis.

All employees of the Agency of Human Services perform their respective functions adhering to four key practices: customer service, holistic service, strengths-based relationships and results orientation.

Conducts both individual and group psychotherapy sessions as appropriate and carries a caseload. Family work may also be required.
A member of and serves as a consultant to a multi-discipline treatment team, that develops and implements a treatment plan for each assigned resident.
Develops detailed behavioral interventions based on extensive functional analyses. Tracks the progress of these interventions, trains staff in their implementation and makes alterations based on ongoing data collection.
May provide psychological assessment of residents and recommendations for treatment action. 
May testify as an expert witness in court. 
Provide clinical consultation to Designated Agencies and other providers.
Keeps informed of best practices and trending treatment modalities.
Promotes a culture of open and effective communication, collaboration, accountability, and timely decision-making that fosters a quality organization and work environment.
Provides training and/or supervision to graduate interns and new staff and existing staff. 
Perform related duties as required.

Duties are performed mainly in either an office or clinical setting at a state-operated facility, designated hospital or community-based services program. Direct interaction with residents who are identified as having major mental illness, behavior management support needs, and may be at risk of harm to self or others. Duties typically occur within a normal workday and workweek, but emergencies and other exceptions may occur.

Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, and professional standards applicable to clinical practices including extensive knowledge of therapeutic approaches and modalities.

Thorough knowledge of current research trends and directions in the mental health and psychology fields.

Thorough knowledge of mental illnesses, the symptoms of each, and treatment procedures.

Thorough knowledge of the supportive role of other disciplines in a total patient care plan.

Thorough knowledge of clinical supervisory principles and practices.

Thorough knowledge of trauma informed care including those based on positive behavioral supports and 
behavior principles.

Ability to accurately administer and interpret a wide variety of psychological instruments/assessments.

Ability to correctly interpret and apply rules, regulations and procedures of considerable complexity.

Ability to formulate, in consort with other professionals, a plan of treatment for emotionally disturbed 
residents.

Ability to accurately assess resident progress under a treatment plan, and to alter the plan as appropriate.

Ability to prepare a wide variety of regular and special resident, program, and related reports.

Ability to work effectively with a wide range of resident, relatives, colleagues, subordinates, and others.

Strong understanding of Person-Centered Care.

Strong clinical documentation skills.

Ability to provide leadership and accountability within the framework of the four key practices of the Agency of Human Services: customer service, holistic service, strengths-based relationships and results orientation.

Master's degree in Psychology, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, or Social Work AND two (2) years of clinical experience as a Master’s level professional in the fields of psychology, mental health, or social work.

Licensed clinician for the State of Vermont

Licensure or eligible for Licensure within six (6) months as either a Psychologist, Clinical Mental Health Counselor, or Social Worker in the State of Vermont.

Candidates must pass any level of background investigation applicable to the position. In accordance with AHS Policy 4.02, Hiring Standards, Vermont and/or national criminal record checks, as well as DMV and adult and child abuse registry checks, as appropriate to the position under recruitment, will be conducted on candidates, with the exception of those who are current classified state employees seeking transfer, promotion or demotion into an AHS classified position or are persons exercising re-employment (RIF) rights.