Job Description

Gemma Services is currently recruiting for a Skills Therapist for its Children's Psychiatric Residential Treatment Program.

The Skills Therapist will be responsible for implementing skills groups as part of the Residential Program. The skills therapist is responsible for assisting the program staff with development of activities. Occasionally may assist with development activities related to special events.

Job summary:

1. Supports the mission of Gemma Services by providing individualized support, being data-informed, and helping others know they matter. Reflects Gemma’s values by:

• Being unlimited by providing a place for hope and transformative healing through holistic care.
• Being nimble by balancing consistency and change.
• Being inspired by growing through personal and professional proficiency.
• Being transparent by being reliable and communicating effectively.
• Being effective by providing treatment to the highest standard of care.
• Being diverse by valuing ideas and perspectives.

1. Provides implementation of skills group to the children in the program by the following:

• Provide for the safety and security of the children, staff and the department environment.
• Within the first week of each child’s admission, assess the interests of the child and provide them with a distress tolerance box that includes needed resources.
• Facilitates psychoeducation and skills-based groups using a curriculum with children to promote attainment of skills needed to manage big feelings and develop prosocial behavior.
• Implements and facilitates weekly skills groups on regular programming units. Organizes and oversees 3 skills groups per week on specialized Unit.
• Facilitates weekly caregiver skills groups using a curriculum with the caregivers of the children on specialized unit to support caregiver learning and understanding of DBT skills to regulate their own emotions and model skills for their child.
• Supports direct care staff in developing activities designed to reinforce the skills being taught in skills group.
• Analyzes children’s and families’/guardians’ behavior within the context of the Gemma Services’ Trauma Recovery Model and plans effective responses and interventions based on the identified needs and wants of the client and families. Incorporates cultural beliefs and values into the treatment goals and interventions for each child and family.
• Uses and models correct Safe Crisis Management (SCM), as well as other agency trained behavioral management techniques, when situations warrant, in accordance with SS/MLS policies, procedures and applicable Commonwealth, Federal and other regulatory bodies.
• Assist the Development Department with activities related to special events as needed for projects.

1. Coordinates specific work tasks with other personnel within the department as well as with other divisions and departments to ensure the smooth and efficient flow of information.
2. Abides by the current laws and organizational policies and procedures designed and implemented to promote an environment which is free of harassment and other forms of illegal discriminatory behavior in the workplace.
3. Is knowledgeable and cooperates with, participates in, and supports the adherence to all internal policies, procedures, and practices in support of risk management and overall safety and soundness and the organization’s compliance with all regulatory requirements; participates in and completes all required training within stated training year.
4. Coordinates specific work tasks with other personnel within the department as well as with other divisions and departments to ensure the smooth and efficient flow of information.
5. Communicates with management and staff personnel to integrate goals and activities.
6. Responds to inquiries relating to their area, or to requests from other staff, etc., within given time frames and within established policy.
7. General Responsibilities:

• Email Management: regularly check and respond to emails in a timely manner.
• Notification monitoring: stays updated on notification across electronic health record, and Gemma Services platforms for important messages and alerts
• Information Dissemination: shares relevant updates and communicates with team members to ensure everyone is informed and aligned
• Task organization: priorities and organizes tasks based on deadlines, responsibilities, and communication
• Documentation: maintains records of all required documentation for reference and accountability
• Collaboration support: facilitates communication between departments and colleagues, participates in meetings or discussions as needed.

1. Performs tasks which are supportive in nature to the essential functions of the job, but which may be altered or re-designed depending upon individual circumstances.

Education/Training and requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field required.
• Two (2) years of related experience required. Experience in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy preferred.
• Valid driver’s license required.

Gemma Services is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.