Psychological Services Associate 1 (Local Government) - Bedford County

Full Job Description

Thank you for checking out our position! At Bedford Developmental & Behavioral Health Services (DBHS), our vision is for every person and family that we serve to have a network of family, friends, advocates, and supportive services to live a full and productive life in our community. Learn more about us at www.dbhs.co.

This opportunity is for a part-time Therapist to provide counseling services in an Outpatient Program to individuals of all ages. Under the guidance of a supervisor, establish a written goal-specific treatment plan and serve as a resource. Collaborate and consult with colleagues, community individuals, or agencies to assist in providing the highest quality of services. This position may also provide outpatient group therapy and School Based Counseling services. School Therapists work on site in schools to assess student needs, provide consultation and education to school personnel, and make referrals.

Apply today to join us in serving the community!

Requirements

This part-time Psychological Services Associate will provide outpatient services in the Bedford County Outpatient Program which includes the School Based Counseling Program and Outpatient group therapy sessions.

Under the guidance of the supervisor, Outpatient Services duties include:

• Providing individual therapy, family therapy, couples counseling, and group counseling to people of all ages utilizing various professional techniques

• Collaborating with each client and documenting within the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) a strengths-based, goal-specific treatment plan

• Performing 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 mental health programs and services

• Making medically necessary referrals to other programs as warranted

• Coordinating care with other staff in order to assure the highest quality of services and to facilitate appropriate referrals

• As needed, coordinating care with the Crisis Intervention staff in an effort facilitate crisis assessments related to voluntary hospitalizations when necessary

• Attending meetings, participating in staff development trainings, and assisting with presentations/trainings to community organizations as needed

Under the guidance of the supervisor, School Based Counseling duties include:

• Providing group, individual, and play therapy to children and adolescents in the school
• Formulating treatment plans and maintaining consumer records
• Providing consultation and education to school personnel, community individuals, and agencies relating to mental health issues and resources
• Completing on-site school mental health assessments and intakes for students identified by the school
• Assessing student needs and completing appropriate referrals
• Coordinating with Crisis Intervention staff in handling mental health emergencies in schools

Under the guidance of the supervisor, Outpatient Group Therapy duties include:

• Providing outpatient group therapy sessions to clientele in 60-90 minutes sessions focusing on topics that promote self-care, self-management, and self-recovery
• Completing progress notes, treatment plans, assessments, coordination of care notes as required

At times, this position may also be responsible for providing coverage in Somerset County.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• This position reports to the DBHS Office for work.
• Part-time employment, approximately 0 to 24 hours per week
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday
  • Hours must be adjusted as needed based upon consumer requests for evening appointments.
  • On occasion, staff may need to work hours outside of the set work week to complete projects, meet work demands, or in the event of an emergency.
• New staff will be on probation for six months.
• New staff may be eligible for a hybrid of on-site and remote work after three months of employment.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• A master’s degree in psychology or a closely related field.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only.

Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

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.

Additional Information

• 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:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.