Therapist

Provides support and structure to residents in developing program plans and attaining goals.

• Provides therapy under the direction of the Mental Health Manager.  Develops, implements and evaluates specialized treatment programs and psycho education programs.  May participate with and/or supervise residents in daily program activities that include structured recreation, groups and other activities.  Prepares treatment plans based on resident’s behavior, attitude, achievement, education, and overall progress in the program.  
• Supervises and evaluates sex offender services and programs to residents.  Services are to be state of the art, organized and sensitive to consistent evaluation and enhancement. 
• Assists supervisory staff in instructing clinical staff in performance of all counseling duties.  Interacts closely with Direct Care staff to ensure overall treatment goals and educational outcome are accomplished.  Effectively practices role modeling responsible behavior daily.  Assists Shift Supervisor and Shift Supervisor Assistant in the direction of a cross-disciplinary treatment team, conducts in-service training, and conducts clinical consultations and work to assure regulatory compliance.  
• Serves as a liaison with external contact such as probation officers, family member, attorneys and other interested parties.   Interprets programs for staff members and works with them to provide integrated service.  Assumes responsibility for specified areas of service, e.g. client follow-up, group sessions, family services, etc. 
• Participates in staff meetings by sharing observations and recommendations regarding the facility, participants and staff in order to identify and solve problems and functions as a unified team.  
• Maintains confidentiality regarding employees, and participants.   

• Ability to write legible reports in English using correct grammar.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, divide and calculate percentages.  
• Ability to effectively interact with others; communicate verbally; plan; schedule and train; react quickly and appropriately to emergency situations and possess sufficient organization skills to keep work flowing in an orderly and timely manner.  
• Knowledgeable of standards of care and programming of delinquent youth in custody, dysfunctional behavior; juvenile justice system; family, group, and individualized counseling techniques.

• Master’s Degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling or related field.  Required licensure in appropriate or related field.
• Must pass background check (driver’s license, criminal history, and wanted persons).
• Must possess a valid New Mexico Class D driver’s license. Incumbent may be appointed to drive a Santa Fe County vehicle while conducting County business.  

Working Conditions:

Youth/Adult Detention center setting.  Office areas are well illuminated and are relatively quiet.   Frequent standing, walking, sitting, bending, lifting (25 lbs max.), must be able to deal effectively and therapeutically with dysfunctional behavior; plan and implement therapy programs.   Must be able to communicate verbally and in writing.  Participants may be argumentative and confrontational at times, requiring quick reflexive responses.  Work is primarily in an office environment.  Some fieldwork may be required in various weather conditions. Incumbent will be subject to random pat down searches. May be required to work evening and weekend hours.   Manual and finger dexterity required.   Essential employees shall be required to work assigned shifts regardless of adverse weather conditions or holidays.

Conditions of Employment:

Selected candidate must submit to and pass a County paid pre-employment physical and drug/alcohol screening. Additionally, selected candidate must submit to and pass a county paid criminal background screening. Selected candidate must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico Class D Driver’s License as incumbent shall be appointed to drive a County vehicle during the performance of his/her duties.