Therapist - Child First

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Therapist - Child First

Public Health Management Corporation

icon Philadelphia, PA, US, 19139

iconFull Time

icon9 October 2025

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PHMC is proud to be a leader in public health. PHMC requires all employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before the first day of employment. We will offer the vaccination at no cost via our Health Centers.

SERVICE AREA: Community Mental Health

PROGRAM: Child First

JOB OVERVIEW:

Child First Clinician serves as the primary therapist to the children and families participating in the program. They function as the team leader and provide/coordinate community based mental health services along with the Family Resource Coordinator.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Develop and implement systemically based interventions utilizing the Child First Clinical Model, cognitive-behavioral therapy, behavior modification, psychoeducation, and other evidence-based approaches.
  • Provide family and individual treatment to the families on caseload in accordance with the Child First model, agency policy, and good practice standards.
  • Work with the Family Resource Coordinator to collaborate with teams impacting the family (i.e. family court, child welfare, educational systems, other mental/behavioral health providers, etc.).
  • Provide services in client homes/environments during non-traditional hours according to the needs and schedules of the families on the caseload, including evenings and weekends if necessary.
  • Conduct initial and ongoing assessment of the client and family, including review of referral information.
  • Identify and engage key participants while identifying systemic strengths and needs.
  • Complete functional analyses of targeted problems within the ecological context.
  • Engage the primary caregiver and other key participants in active, change-oriented treatment by identifying and overcoming barriers to engagement and attainment of identified goals.
  • Develop and implement initial and ongoing treatment plans. Focus on utilizing strengths and reviewing outcomes regularly using an analytic process.
  • Maintain clear and concise documentation of treatment interventions and case development in accordance with reporting and documentation regulations and agency policies.
  • Collaborate with all relevant systems and key participants within each system to ensure their “buy-in” and cooperation throughout treatment.
  • Provide direct clinical treatment using methods compatible with program principles and practices.
  • Participate in all supervision, training, and consultation activities as directed.
  • Provide crisis interventions and stabilization 24/7 to the clients/families on the caseload.
  • Complete all program paperwork to agency standards and submit within determined time frames.
  • Achieve a level of productivity (service hours) within the established range set by the program director.
  • Adhere to a professional code of ethics and follow existing federal and state guidelines and laws pertaining to mandated reporting procedures.
  • Attend all mandatory trainings.
  • Complete in-office hours as required to attend weekly group and individual supervision, as well as other scheduled meetings and appointments.
  • Ensure compliance with all policies and procedures including confidentiality and reporting suspected child abuse.
  • Participate in training/supervision programs as part of the agency's professional development initiative.
  • Provide direct case management services in collaboration with, or in the absence of, the Care Coordinator.

Partnerships and Collaborative Relationships:

  • Establish and maintain effective and productive working relationships with provider organizations, regulatory and licensing representatives, and referral sources while promoting PHMC.
  • Represent the organization before various stakeholder groups to maintain visibility.
  • Manage regulatory and accreditation contracts.
  • Serve on, participate in, and attend various committee meetings.

Contributing to the Team:

  • Participate in regular meetings with staff to ensure priorities are clear, coordination is good, and communication is open. Develop additional methods for ongoing effective communication.
  • Cooperate and communicate as a multi-discipline staff team member through formal meetings, informal consultations, and committee participation.
  • Model traits of a responsible team member by executing job responsibilities, open communication, and good follow-through. Support team members to do the same.
  • Respond promptly to the concerns and interests of the clients, parents, guardians, funding entities, and other PHMC staff.

Trauma-Informed Behavior:

  • Demonstrate commitment to being trauma-informed and maintaining a therapeutic environment and community that promotes safety and nonviolence as the basis for all we do with clients and staff.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and utilization of trauma-informed practices including emotional intelligence, effective communication, understanding of the impact of trauma on development, strengths-based and person-centered practice, resilience focus, and commitment to growth and change.

Administrative Activities:

  • Ensure compliance with all of PHMC’s policies and procedures, including confidentiality and acting as a mandated reporter in accordance with the law, policies, and procedures.
  • Implement all documentation requirements and ensure that reports are complete, thorough, timely, and written in the prescribed format. Ensure staff members do the same.
  • Other duties as assigned

SKILLS:

  • Ability to utilize a collaborative, team-oriented approach
  • Knowledge and understanding of CASSP Principles
  • Social/ecological theory and application
  • Family systems theory and application
  • Cognitive-behavioral theory and clinical application
  • Understanding of early child and family development
  • Crisis intervention and management
  • Knowledge of DSM-V
  • Basic knowledge/understanding of common psychotropic medications
  • Comfortable with computers and experienced in Microsoft Office applications, especially Word and Excel
  • Open to learning, has capacity for self-reflection, and eager to participate in reflective clinical supervision
  • Knowledge of relationship-based, psychodynamic intervention and early child development; parent-child relationships and attachment theory; effects of trauma and environmental risks on early childhood brain development, especially violence exposure, maternal depression, and substance abuse; and community-level risk factors (e.g. poverty, homelessness, etc.).
  • Highly organized, self-motivated, reliable, and flexible (including willingness to work non-traditional hours, including at least one evening per week)
  • Able to work as part of a team
  • Able to communicate well verbally and in writing

ROLE REQUIREMENTS:

Experience:

  • 2-3 years of experience working psychotherapeutically with culturally diverse children and families, including parent-child therapeutic work and play therapy with very young children (0-5 years)
  • Experience providing mental health assessment and consultation to early care and education sites
  • Knowledge and experience working with adults with mental health, substance use, and cognitive challenges
  • Experience providing intervention within diverse home and community settings

Education: Master's degree in a related field such as social work, psychology, counseling, marriage and family therapy, etc.

Other:

  • Must have a clinical license or be license-eligible (e.g. LPC, LMFT, LCSW, psychologist, etc.)
  • Valid driver’s license, access to a reliable vehicle with current registration, and evidence of current auto insurance

SALARY GRADE: 18

PHMC is an Equal Opportunity and E-Verify Employer.