Operation New Hope is a nonprofit operating in Jacksonville, Orlando, St. Johns County, the Space Coast, and soon to open in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area. Our pre-release and post-release programs provide job training and placement, and comprehensive support services to people returning from incarceration and others who have been affected by the justice system with the goal of facilitating successful transitions back into the community. We motivate our clients to become productive, responsible citizens, and our programs help prevent recidivism, reduce the repeated costs of incarceration, and improve public safety. Our dedicated team supports the career opportunities, mental health, and overall stability of our clients to help them achieve self-sufficiency.
Position Overview: The Mental Health Therapist performs a triage for new applicants who report a mental health or substance abuse history to assesses the applicant’s acuity and readiness for the program, or if indicated, provide a referral to a higher level of care for stabilization prior to enrollment. Completes an evidenced based Risk Assessment with assigned new clients to assess the client’s risk for recidivism and basic re-entry needs to help reduce client’s risk of recidivism. Completes a Biopsychosocial Assessment on each new client to provide the Ready4Work/Ready4Success team with a complete picture of client’s biological, psychological, and social needs and probable response to treatment. Functions as part of the Ready4Work/Ready4Success team in supporting the client’s adjustment and working closely and working closely with the Case Managers and Job Coaches to ensure clients are job ready and have addressed barriers to successful re-entry. Provide group therapy to the entireReady4Work/Ready4Success class, and individual and family sessions as needed.
Reports to: Regional Director
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Completes triage on prospective clients referred by Intake department.
- Completes evidenced based Risk Assessment on assigned clients.
- Conducts comprehensive Biopsychosocial Assessments on each new client, providing a mental health and/or substance abuse diagnosis.
- Provides ongoing individual mental counseling; providing appropriate therapeutic interventions and methods to assist clients in reaching their goals.
- Provides ongoing individual mental health counseling and facilitates group therapy sessions using various therapeutic modalities, tailoring approaches to meet the needs of each client.
- Assists in crisis intervention services and collaborates with local agencies to provide appropriate referrals.
- Responds to and manages crisis situations effectively, ensuring safety and well-being of clients.
- Collaborates with other local agencies to ensure integrated and comprehensive care for clients.
- Advocates for clients’ needs and rights, working to enhance their overall well-being within the community.
- Maintains professional standards through compliance with quality assurance policies/procedures as well as applicable regulations and corporate policies.
- Creates Special Focus Contracts with client’s team as remedial behavior modification tools on clients needing more structure for success, or clients requiring attention to drug and substance abuse issues after failed drug screens.
- Participates in multi-disciplinary team staffing and case consultation.
- Refers client to continuity of care providers as needed.
- Assesses for acute S/H/I as needed and maintains No Harm contracts if indicated.
- Documents client progress in groups.
- Ensures all assigned client documentation is entered in electronic record as required in timely manner including groups, individual counseling sessions, and crisis interventions.
- Assists in discharge planning as required.
- All other duties as assigned.
Education / Experience / Qualifications
- Licensed under FS chapter 491 as LMHC, LCSW, or LMFT with at least one year experience working with a marginalized or challenged population.
- Three or more years of experience assessing, diagnosing, and treating substance use disorders.
- Three or more years of experience performing Biopsychosocial assessments, treatment planning and maintaining progress notes.
- Knowledge of the Trauma Informed Care model.
- Experience in providing crisis intervention services, individual and family sessions, preparing and conducting therapeutic groups.
- Knowledge of BA52 statute and process
- Understanding of various levels of care in community mental health including local resources.
- Bilingual and able to read, write, and speak English and Spanish proficiently.
- Must be able to communicate effectively with staff, clients, family members, and employers as needed.
- Ability to maintain professional boundaries.
- Possess a passion for social justice, competency dignity of a person and competency.
- Comfortable is using computers, running reports, and learning new software.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite; Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and electronic client records.
- Must be able to work Monday through Friday 8:30am-4:00pm.
- Must have a valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and reliable transportation.
- Must be able to lift up to 15 lbs.
Job Type: Full-time
Location: St. Petersburg, FL
We offer a 35 hour work week and have a robust benefits package for our employees, including free medical, short-term disability, life insurance, and an employee discount program to name a few! We primarily follow the Federal Holiday schedule (paid) and employees are eligible for paid time off after 90 days of employment.
With 25 years of experience in providing job readiness training and supportive services to people affected by the criminal justice system, Operation New Hope is a leader in the field. We have built our reputation and track record on the belief that we all deserve a second chance. Our Ready4Release, Ready4Work, and Ready4Success programs builds stronger communities by creating opportunities for people impacted by the criminal justice system to become productive, responsible citizens saving taxpayers millions of dollars by avoiding repeated high costs of incarceration, dramatically improving public safety and reuniting families.
Our work has been praised by the last four White House Administrations, as well as law enforcement officers, business leaders, and representatives at the federal, state, and local levels. Internationally, we have been recognized by House of Mandela as a model program. We are expanding into the Tampa/St. Petersburg area in July of 2024, and plan additional expansion throughout the State of Florida in the years to come.
We are close-knit community of passionate, like-minded professionals, who make life-changing opportunities possible every day—empowering individuals impacted by the criminal justice system to rebuild their lives and move beyond their pasts. We provide access to customized solutions for people to rebuild their lives—services and support not provided by the criminal justice system. We are honest, respectful, and forthright in our actions, adhering to the highest ethical standards. We listen and learn from each other and align ourselves with partners to leverage our collective capabilities in creating an inclusive environment. We are passionate about our mission, committed to our communities and work every day to earn their trust. We approach each opportunity with the belief that nothing is impossible, challenging everyone to make a difference.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $28.67 - $38.78 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
Experience:
- assessing, diagnosing, and treating substance use disorders: 3 years (Required)
- performing Biopsychosocial assessments: 3 years (Required)
- treatment planning and maintaining progress notes: 3 years (Required)
- Microsoft Office: 4 years (Required)
- Electronic Client Records: 4 years (Required)
- working with a marginalized or challenged population: 3 years (Required)
License/Certification:
- LMHC, LCSW or LMFT license under FS chapter 491 (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Saint Petersburg, FL (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Saint Petersburg, FL: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person