Posted: May 2004

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Classification: Therapist

Program: Deaf Services

Working Title: Outpatient Therapist

The individual hired for this position is responsible for providing
therapy and counseling services to mentally ill individuals who are deaf
or hard of hearing and who receive outpatient services through the
Authority. These services will be provided to deaf/hard of hearing
individuals who reside in the Authority's group home program and/or who
attend its Day Treatment program. In addition, this therapist will
provide therapy and counseling to deaf and hard of hearing outpatients
referred for services by community sources or that are referred by the
Authority when such individuals leave the Authority's residential
program. The individual hired for this position must be fluent in
American Sign Language (ASL) and must either be a native signer or
minimally rated as intermediate-plus on the SCPI test of sign language
communication skills.

Supervised by: Regional Coordinator of Deaf Services

Employees Supervised: None

Division: Deaf Services

Pay Scale Level: 28 ($35,442 - $47,496)

Normal Work Hours/Days: 40 hours per week, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. -
Monday - Friday. Other hours or work schedules may be required
to meet residential program demands.


PRIMARY JOB FUNCTIONS:

Responsible for providing therapy and counseling services to consumers
who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Provide appropriate therapeutic services to dually diagnosed consumers
who are assigned to the therapist for services.

Responsible for individualized assessments and provision of direct
services.

Serve as a therapist for deaf and hard of hearing consumers who attend
the Authority's Day Treatment program and/or who live in one of the
Authority's residential facilities.

Provide group, individual, and family therapy as indicated.

JOB DESCRIPTION, Outpatient Therapist, Deaf Services Program, page 2

Responsible for documentation in client records.

Other duties as assigned by the Regional Coordinator of Deaf Services.


MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Master's degree in a human services field (psychology, counseling,
social work, marriage and family therapy, agency counseling, vocational
counseling) or possessing a bachelor's degree in a human service field
and maintains current enrollment in a master's degree program that is
appropriate to the job requirements. The outpatient therapist is
permitted to complete degree requirements such as internships or
practica in the Authority's programs and while employed with the
Authority, if allowed by their educational institution. License as
appropriate to education and discipline is preferred for an individual
who holds a Master's Degree at the time of employment.

Thorough knowledge of ASL with proficiency at the level of a native
signer if the outpatient therapist is deaf or hard of hearing or, if a
hearing individual is employed for this position, the outpatient
therapist must receive a rating of intermediate plus on the SCPI test of
sign language communication skill to qualify for this position.

Valid Alabama driver's license and driving record acceptable to agency
automobile insurance carrier for inclusion on agency policy.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES:

Demonstrable knowledge of sound mental health therapy practices and
procedures.

Demonstrable knowledge of therapeutic techniques used in individual,
social, group and family treatment settings and therapeutic techniques
in the categories listed here as applied to working with individuals who
are deaf or hard-of-hearing.

Demonstrable organizational skills as well as the ability to clearly and
effectively communicate in sign language and/or orally and in writing.

Knowledge of deaf culture and knowledge of the ways in which mental
illnesses are expressed by deaf or hard of hearing individuals.

Ability to organize, coordinate and manage the therapist's activities in
Day Treatment and other outpatient settings.

Knowledge of and ability to use special communication devices to
effectively communicate with deaf individuals (TTY, text pagers, e-mail
services, etc.).

Knowledge of and ability to use standard computer software such as word
processing programs, Internet browsers, e-mail services, and instant
communication programs.

For additional information:
Shannon Reese
205.591.2216 tty
205.591.2212 voice
sreese@...