Hybrid

Psychological Services Associate 1 (Local Government) - Bedford County MH/ID

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh, PAvia Commonwealth of PA

Thank you for checking out our position! At Bedford Developmental & Behavioral Health Services (DBHS), our vision is for every person and family that we serve to have a network of family, friends, advocates, and supportive services to live a full and productive life in our community. Learn more about us at www.dbhs.co.
This opportunity is for a Therapist to provide counseling services in an Outpatient Program to individuals of all ages. Under the guidance of a supervisor, this Therapist will establish a written goal-specific treatment plan and serve as a resource as well as collaborate and consult with colleagues, community individuals, or agencies to assist in providing the highest quality of services. This position may also provide outpatient group therapy, adult mobile mental health services, and School Based Counseling services. School Therapists work on site in schools to assess student needs, provide consultation and education to school personnel, as well as make referrals.  
Full-time positions include excellent benefits such as healthcare coverage, pension plan, student loan reimbursement program, flexible spending account, and paid holidays. We encourage work/life balance with a hybrid of remote and on-site work schedules for some positions. We are a family friendly agency with paid time off, paid sick time, employee assistance program, and family medical leave.
Apply today to join us in serving the community!


This professional therapist position provides outpatient services in the Bedford County Outpatient Program and, at times, may provide coverage in Somerset County. This position supports individuals of all ages through counseling, evaluation, and care coordination in school-based counseling programs and outpatient group therapy sessions. As a Psychological Services Associate 1, you will perform the following duties:

  • Therapy Services: Provide individual, family, couples, group, and play therapy using appropriate clinical techniques
  • Treatment Planning: Develop and document strengths based and goal oriented treatment plans in the Electronic Medical Record
  • Diagnostic Work: Conduct Therapy Diagnostic Evaluations to determine service needs and enrollment options
  • Care Coordination: Coordinate services with staff, school personnel, and crisis teams when needed
  • Referrals: Make medically necessary referrals to programs and resources that support client needs
  • School Support: Complete assessments, intakes, and provide education to school staff and community partners

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

  • This position reports to the DBHS Office for work.
  • Full-time employment
  • Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
    • Hours must be adjusted as needed based upon consumer requests for evening appointments.
    • On occasion, staff may need to work hours outside of the set work week to complete projects, meet work demands, or in the event of an emergency.
  • New staff will be on probation for six months.
  • New staff may be eligible for a hybrid of on-site and remote work after three months of employment.
  • You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

  • A master’s degree in psychology or a closely related field.
  • Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Other Requirements:

Legal Requirements: 

  • You must pass a background investigation.
  • This position falls under the provisions of the Older Adult Protective Services Act.
    • Under the Act, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports, including but not limited to, PA State Police and FBI clearance.
  • This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.
    • Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.

How to Apply:

  • Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
  • If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. 
  • Your application must be submitted by the posting closing dateLate applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
  • Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
  • All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans: 

  • Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.htmland click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS): 

  • 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date. 

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

  • Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
  • Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions. 
  • Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
  • You must provide complete and accurate information or:
    • your score may be lower than deserved.
    • you may be disqualified.
  • You may only apply/test once for this posting.
  • Your results will be provided via email.
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