Virtual Chat Companion Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Are you seeking an interesting and rewarding part-time position where you can utilize your counseling, coaching and caring skills?  SARC is seeking a licensed therapist to provide crisis mental health and psycho-education services to clients and youth in the SARC Safehouse. This position is for 10-hours weekly, in one day or two half-days, on day or evening shifts.  The selected candidate will be able to choose their schedule in coordination with the Safehouse Supervisor every three months.

One of the most exciting aspects of this position is the flexibility in service delivery.  The selected candidate can schedule weekly appointments, hold open office hours, respond to client crises, perform supportive check-ins, hold a conversation over a game of UNO, or even join a client for a visit to the pet kennel or a quick switch of laundry.  These services are best offered in-person, but scheduling conflicts around client work schedules can be met with virtual or telephone sessions. 

The selected candidate will also deliver group psycho-education at least monthly, will stand up a post-shelter support group, and may also provide staff consultation and training.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

· Counsels individuals and groups regarding psychological or emotional concerns.

· Develops and implements therapeutic treatment plans.

· Plans and administers therapeutic interventions such as behavior modification and stress management to assist clients with emotional regulation.

· Changes method and degree of therapy when indicated by client reactions.

· Provides crisis intervention, advocacy, and safety planning.

· Conducts biopsychosocial assessments with clients.

· Assists with scheduled and unscheduled helpline and chat calls during business hours as needed.

· Completes treatment plan with client input and revises/updates this plan quarterly.

· Consults with Chief of Programs on cases and treatment plan and amends plan as directed.

· Refers client to supportive services to supplement treatment and counseling as needed.

· Maintains accurate up-to-date records on Apricot database of all contacts with clients.

· Reports statistics for each client.

· Other duties as assigned by Chief of Programs.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Master’s degree in Psychology, Social Work or related field. Ability to work under pressure with time constraints. Knowledge and adherence to laws, policies, procedures, and ethical standards of the counseling profession.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization. Excellent listening skills.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add and subtract two-digit numbers.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to understand and apply relevant therapy concepts. Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Must be licensed in the state of Maryland, candidates holding an LCSW-C or an LMSW actively pursuing clinical licensures preferred (or an equivalent license in a related field, such as LPC). Completion of SARC's 30-hour Basic Crisis Response Training and 3-hour Companion Training is required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hand to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop; kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

OTHER DUTIES

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties ore responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.

What We Offer:

• A team that has your back: We work together to support survivors—and each other—in a mission-driven environment.
  

• Opportunities for growth and impact: This isn't just a job—it's a calling. We provide regular training opportunities on a variety of crisis-centered topics to help you grow as a professional.
  

• Supportive Environment: Access to a compassionate team and a safe workspace dedicated to holding the line against abuse.
  

Important Note: Our emergency helpline is for survivors in crisis. For application updates, please email smoran@sarc-maryland.org with your name and the job you applied for.

If you're ready to be a steady, compassionate presence for survivors and a vital part of our mission, we'd love to hear from you. Join us in holding the line against abuse.