Pre- Licensed Clinician Job Description
We recognize that systemic marginalization has cascading effects on mental, physical, and spiritual health, especially those who find themselves the target of discrimination. We believe that it is imperative that our work is by, for, and with people who have been affected by this phenomenon. Therefore, we strongly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or Persons of Color, Queer, LGBTQIA+, cisgender and transgender women, neurodivergent, and/or who have experienced financial precarity.
Quiet Retreat Therapy (QRT) is a thriving private practice with two locations in Pennsylvania; Millvale and New Castle. We are a collaboration of licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals who emphasize humanistic, affirming, and relational care first and foremost. We strongly emphasize trauma-informed care, cultural humility, and affirming, dynamic, and holistic care for clients. We routinely collaborate with other professionals, specialists, and communities.
(Licensed Associate Professional Counselor, Marriage & Family Therapy Associate, or Licensed Social Worker)
Location: Millvale or New Castle, PA
Supervisor: Assigned Clinical director
Employee Classification: Non-Exempt (Hourly)
Hours: Full-time and Part-time options
Compensation: Flat rate compensation model for clinical encounters.
On boarding Timeline: Approximately 3 months. Flexible start date.
Position Summary:
Pre-Licensed Therapists who work at QRT offer a range of services that support and facilitate the mental, emotional, and behavioral well-being of clients. They provide therapy to individuals, families, couples, groups, and communities via in-person and telehealth options. They offer prevention, treatment, and maintenance services, with a focus on providing depth- and breadth- based care. They collaborate with the medical model, but critique illness-focused models of mental healthcare. Therapists work collaboratively with clients to establish treatment plans.
When appropriate, therapists include families, communities, and other service providers (i.e., healthcare providers, social workers, case managers, etc.) when conceptualizing and implementing treatment plans. They recognize that clients are heavily impacted by the systems and relationships they reside in, and take these voices into account when providing care.
Therapists continuously strive to increase their cultural humility in order to provide culturally sensitive and responsive care that acknowledges the impact of historical trauma, colonization, and current issues on the mental health of communities and individuals. Overall, therapists approach their work with humility, respect, and a commitment to decolonizing and liberating mental health care. They prioritize the well-being and self-determination of patients, their families, and their communities, recognizing their intrinsic value and inherent dignity.
Essential Functions:
Provide care that considers and encompasses the client’s social, cultural, and historical contexts, as well as their mental and physical health status.
Collaborate with clients to co-create individualized treatment plans that respect the client’s autonomy and priorities.
Use evidence-informed and culturally-responsive practices that prioritize empowerment and well-being. Collaborate with community-based specialists, healers, and other healthcare providers to support holistic and culturally-relevant care.
Participate in clinical supervision. During supervision, prepare to discuss clinically relevant details of care, case conceptualizations, and any client or clinician issues which may impact care, such as transference/projection, rupture, suboptimal clinical relationship, etc..
Engage in ongoing education and self-reflection to critically examine and challenge harmful systemic, relational, and individual patterns.
Ensure that informed consent, releases of information, and other required paperwork is obtained and recorded in a timely manner that prioritizes the patient’s agency and safety.
Ensure that clients are informed about and comprehend their rights in therapy, and provide advocacy, support, and referral when needed.
Ensure that client’s records are kept confidential and secure, and that any sharing of information is done in accordance with the clients’ wishes and legal requirements.
Ensure that client files, including notes, treatment plans, communication from external providers, etc., remain timely and accurate. Assist with and participate in chart audits when necessary.
Minimum Qualifications
Masters degree in Psychology, counseling, Social Work, or related field, from an accredited university required.
Valid associate licence to practice mental health therapy in Pennsylvania (e.g. LAPC, MFTA, etc) as well as valid malpractice insurance.
Experience in providing therapy services to a full range of individuals from children to adults in individual, couple, family, and/or group settings. Prior experience working with clients in a rural setting is preferred.
Available to work flexible hours, including times outside of standard business hours (evenings and weekends) in order to facilitate care for clients with scheduling constraints.
Ability to build and maintain strong and effective clinical rapport with clients, especially those who experience emotional, cognitive, relational, and behavioral disruption, as well as the families, communities, and providers of clients.
A demonstrated ability for strong attention to detail, organization, and timeliness.
Valid clearances (PATCH/Act33, PA PCHC/Act 34, FBI CHC/fingerprint, and NSOR)
Skills Required
Communicate professionally and effectively with patients and clinicians and remain open to constructive feedback from supervisors, co-workers, clients, and community members.
Familiarity with providing effective evidence-informed treatment to clients. Desire to obtain skills in clinical orientations which balance depth-focused work with skills-based treatment is preferred.
Familiarity with addressing and identifying relational, behavioral, cognitive problems as well as identifying and investigating ecosystemic influences of issues.
Skilled in diagnosis/differential diagnosis, treatment planning, case conceptualization, and clinical record keeping.
Skilled in operating a computer and appointment software such as Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems, telehealth platforms.
Follow policies and procedures to contribute to the administrative efficiency of the practice, taking initiative to suggest and develop those that may be needed.
Knowledge Required
Knowledge of human emotions, behavior, cognition, relational patterns, etc.
Knowledge of the impact of ecosystemic, structural, and historical patterns upon mental health and wellbeing.
Knowledge of evidence-informed modalities of care which encourage psychological well-being
Knowledge of current DSM criteria.
Knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and Local laws.
Abilities Required
Demonstrate cultural humility in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, class, ability etc, while working towards cultural competence.
A commitment to confidentiality of patient and employee information
Ability to critically integrate clinical feedback from supervisors while demonstrating a desire to continuously grow and refine clinical skills and modalities.
Demonstrate patience: being patient with people who may have trouble communicating or understanding what is happening is imperative for this position
This description is intended to provide basic guidelines for meeting job requirements. Responsibilities, knowledge, skills, abilities, and working conditions may change as the practice’s needs evolve. Regular and predictable attendance and communication is an essential part of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. By signing below, you acknowledge that you are able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation. If accommodations are needed, you acknowledge that you have the opportunity to discuss this with human resources at any time.