Careers and Internships

Responsibilities

• Provide outreach, consultation, and education services directly to older adults, care partners, and other related stakeholders.
• Help to inform quarterly and annual reports developed by the Program Lead on service delivery to demonstrate how grant funding has been spent as well as how it is accomplishing the goals of the program.
• As assigned by the program lead, collaborate externally with community agencies to ensure that information related to program services is disseminated to relevant parties and that services continue to be influenced by what the community is needing for this population.
• Collaborate internally with F&CS staff regarding cross-program referrals, sharing knowledge across staff serving similar populations, and connecting through various meetings and/or trainings to ensure that these programs are not isolated, but have integrations across the organization.
• Maintain boundaries between services provided under this program and clinical services, and reinforce with all stakeholders the difference. This is not a clinical diagnostic or treatment service and is not covered under HIPAA, is not billable to insurance, etc.
• Document all services provided in compliance with standards set by program lead for what is necessary under this program.
• Keep up with professional developments in the field in order to keep knowledge base current with changes in understanding of the needs of Older Adults and those who care for them.
• Continue to adapt service delivery in line with the program vision to meet the ever changing community needs.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a mental health discipline (license to practice not necessary).
• Demonstrated professional experience with older adults and their care partners.
• Proficiency in formal and informal presentations delivering content designed to raise awareness, knowledge, and skills.
• Clear understanding of the systems at play in the lives of older adults and their care partners and how these interact with the cultural identities of older adults and their care partners.

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Prior work experience in a clinical capacity with older adults.
• Experience working with families for whom English is not their first language and may have limited proficiency.

Additional Opportunities

Applicants who also hold a clinical license to practice may also be able provide billable therapy hours within the clinic above the consultant 10 hour position to create up to a full time appointment at F&CS. If interested in this possibility, please mention this in your cover letter and during your interview.

Please send a resume and cover letter to the email or address listed below:
Email to: dklingensmith@fcsith.org
Attn: Danielle Klingensmith, LCAT, MT-BC, Clinical Outreach Manager
Family & Children’s Service of Ithaca
127 W. MLK Jr. / State Street
Ithaca, NY 14850

Responsibilities

• Conduct individual biopsychosocial and diagnostic assessments to identify client needs, including whether client meets DSM/ICD criteria for diagnoses treatable within OMH MHOTRS program and the medical necessity standard for insurance billable services.
• Assist clients in connecting to services to meet their mental health needs, including services provided for within and outside the agency.
• Develop treatment plans collaboratively with clients in order to help manage expectations for progress in treatment and when goals are met such that the current episode of care will end.
• Assess ongoing risk, including but not limited to threat to self or others, and develop safety plans that mitigate risk.
• Provide individual, couples, and/or family therapy sessions using evidenced-based interventions that are client-centered and drive toward treatment goals.
• Adhere to agency and OMH documentation standards, including both content covered and timeliness of completion.
• Demonstrate continued professional growth including deepening and broadening clinical practice through continuing education and supervision.
• Effectively use peer and supervisory consultation as needed, but especially in high risk situations.
• Respond after hours for urgent/crisis needs of agency clients as needed.
• Maintain full caseload and meet clinical billable hour performance metrics.
• Collaborate with internal partners, such as psychiatric team members, as well as external partners, such as PCPs and schools, in order to deliver coordinated care to clients.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s or doctorate degree in psychology, social work, mental health counseling, or marriage and family therapy.
• Ability to obtain independent clinical license to practice in the state of NY, including diagnostic privilege if required separately from standard scope of practice for license type, within three years of date of hire.
• Previous education, training, and clinical experience in differential diagnostic assessment and evidenced-based treatment of mental health conditions.
• Knowledge of a full range of evidence based clinical and non-clinical resources that can improve client mental health.
• Ability to perform clinical duties from a culturally responsive lens, including incorporating aspects of client identity throughout the assessment and treatment process.

Preferred Qualifications

• Independent clinical license, with diagnostic privilege if applicable for license type
• Training and experience assessing and treating comorbid substance use disorders
• Experience with referral coordination and/or case management
• Capability to deliver mental health services in multiple languages
• Additional certifications or formal training in a specific modality of evidenced-based care

Please send a resume and cover letter to the email or address listed below:
Email to: asundsmo@fcsith.org
Attn: Dr. Alecia Sundsmo, Director of Clinical Services
Family & Children’s Service of Ithaca
127 W. MLK Jr. / State Street
Ithaca, NY 14850

Key Deliverables & Responsibilities

• Verifies insurance coverage for clients;
• Responsible for maintaining correspondence with all partnering insurance companies to confirm client insurance benefit/coverage;
• Responds in a timely manner to clinician inquiries about client payment responsibilities;
• Ensures that all clients are aware of F&CS’ Financial Assistance Program and assists clients in applying for financial assistance;
• Responds in a timely manner to client inquiries regarding their bills;
• Serves as a liaison between the billing team and the clinic administrative team;
• Reviews closed accounts and forwards any accounts with balances to Billing Manager for review before a final statement is mailed to client;
• Responsible to alert Billing Manager when client accounts become delinquent;
• Runs the Medicaid exclusion list on a monthly basis;
• Completes credentialing paperwork in collaboration with clinicians;
• Responsible for providing general support to the Billing Manager;
• Must adhere to professional standards, F&CS policies and procedures, federal, state, and local requirements, and OMH standards, including HIPAA requirements;
• Other assignments and tasks may be added at the discretion of the Billing Manager and/or Director of Finance.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or G.E.D;
• Prior experience working in a medical/therapeutic office working within a Medicaid and private insurance reimbursement environment;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Detail oriented;
• Ability to perform several job functions concurrently;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality;
• Ability to operate a computer and other general office equipment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in medical billing and/or coding;
• Prior experience with insurance verification.

Please send a resume and cover letter to the email or address listed below:
If you have questions about the position prior to submitting an application, you can email or call.
Email to: hhollister@fcsith.org
Attn: Heather Hollister, Billing Manager
Family & Children’s Service of Ithaca
127 W. MLK Jr. /State Street
Ithaca, NY 14850

Responsibilities

• Evaluate new and returning patients for psychiatric services
• Manage between appointment refill requests with clients through support of psychiatric nurse and support team
• Manage medications through ongoing monitoring and adjustment, including adding extra appointments and/or patient phone calls when urgent needs arise
• Consult with in house therapists regarding shared patients
• Complete prior authorizations as needed
• Assist with managing caseload by encouraging clients to step up or step down levels of care as needed to ensure that we have continued capacity for specialty psychiatric care
• Review and sign off on treatment plans completed by therapists and consult as needed on recommended course of care, as needed
• Additional responsibilities as assigned by the director of clinical services

Required Qualifications

• Licensed as a board certified psychiatrist in New York
• Expert knowledge regarding HIPAA and privacy regulations
• Demonstrated knowledge, awareness, and skills regarding mental illnesses, the psychotropic medications used to address their symptoms, and common issues that arise when managing them
• Commitment to continuing to learn about impact of culture and identity in the healthcare environment

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with clients across the age spectrum, from young children to older adults
• Experience working with marginalized communities and the intersecting systems that impact them including those who experience homelessness, food insecurity, poverty, racism, homophobia/transphobia, ableism, etc.
• Experience working in a facility licensed by the New York State Office of Mental Health

Contact Information: Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to asundsmo@fcsith.org, or to the address below. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Attn: Dr. Alecia Sundsmo, Director of Clinical Services

asundsmo@fcsith.org 
Family & Children’s Service of Ithaca
127 W. State Street
Ithaca, NY 14850

Responsibilities:

• Carries a varied caseload of youth (age 12 – 21) and performs all related case management activities including:
  1. Completes intakes, assessments and determines case plan; implements and monitors case plan, and develops appropriate aftercare plan.
  2. Provides a bridge of support and advocacy between youth and the systems to which they are connected.
  3. Maintains flexibility of time to accommodate client needs; responds to crises, emergencies and difficult situations immediately or as soon as possible.
  4. Assists youth to secure needed material items including, but not limited to, food, clothing, access to transportation, school supplies, and phone payment cards.
• Responsible for on-call coverage, typically one week per month with an additional week every third month. Backs up other staff in crisis or emergency situations, additionally provides coverage during other staff absences.
• Available to make and monitor shelter placements when necessary
• Assumes all responsibilities of a mandated reporter.

The information presented here is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this classification. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Qualifications:   

The Runaway and Homeless Youth Worker should either have relevant lived experiences, possess a Bachelor’s Degree in a Human Service-related field, or have comparable education and experience working with vulnerable populations.  The ideal candidate should also demonstrate familiarity with community youth services, the juvenile justice system, and knowledge about the needs for the social and emotional growth of youth.  Candidates MUST demonstrate a commitment to inclusive and equitable practices and are expected to engage in ongoing training and supervision in responsive and effective work with people from minoritized population groups. Knowledge about the needs of LGBTQ+ youth, youth with significant mental health needs, and abused and exploited youth is critical to working in the Open Doors program.

Requirements:

• The ability to work well independently and on a team, to collaborate well with other organizations, advisory groups, staff and the public.
• Commitment to an organizational culture that centers the importance of diversity, equity, and cultural responsiveness and that contributes to an inclusive working and learning environment.
• A valid driver’s license, auto insurance, and consistent access to a vehicle.
• The ability to operate a computer and other general office equipment.
• Successful completion of a background screening of applicant’s driving record, any indicated reports of child abuse or maltreatment, and criminal history. Successful completion does not mean someone has to have a perfect record in order to secure this position. It means that any concerning history will be discussed and assessed on a case-by-case basis. All screening information with be held as confidential.

Please send a resume and cover letter to the email or address listed below:
If you have questions about the position prior to submitting an application, you can email or call.
Email to:  ltsui@fcsith.org
Attn: Lora Tsui, Open Doors Team Leader/ Crisis Counselor
Family & Children’s Service of Ithaca
127 W. MLK Jr. / State Street, Floor 1
Ithaca, NY 14850

Responsibilities
• Provide outreach, consultation, and education services directly to children, caregivers, and other related stakeholders.
• Help to inform quarterly and annual reports developed by the Program Lead on service delivery to demonstrate how grant funding has been spent as well as how it is accomplishing the goals of the program.
• As assigned by the program lead, collaborate internally with F&CS staff and externally with other community agencies to ensure that information related to program services is disseminated to relevant parties and that services continue to be influenced by what the community is needing for this population.
• Maintain boundaries between services provided under this program and clinical services, and reinforce with all stakeholders the difference. This is not a clinical diagnostic or treatment service and is not covered under HIPAA, is not billable to insurance, etc.
• Document all services provided in compliance with standards set by program lead for what is necessary under this program.
• Keep up with professional developments in the field in order to keep knowledge base current with changes in understanding of the needs children ages 0-5 and those who care for them.
• Continue to adapt service delivery in line with the program vision to meet the ever changing community needs.

Required Qualifications
• Master’s degree in a mental health discipline (license to practice not necessary).
• Demonstrated professional experience with children age 0-5 and their parents.
• Proficiency in formal and informal presentations delivering content designed to raise awareness, knowledge, and skills.
• Clear understanding of the systems at play in the lives of children ages 0-5 and their caregivers and how these interact with the cultural identities of the children and their caregivers.

Additional Preferred Qualifications
• Prior work experience in a clinical capacity with children.
• Experience working with families for whom English is not their first language and may have limited proficiency.

Additional Opportunities
Applicants who also hold a clinical license to practice may also be able provide billable therapy hours within the clinic above the consultant 10 hour position to create up to a full time appointment at F&CS. If interested in this possibility, please mention this in your cover letter and during your interview.

Application Submission Process
Please email a cover letter and resume to: Danielle Klingensmith, LCAT, MT-BC, Clinical Outreach Manager at dklingensmith@fcsith.org.

Responsibilities:

• Answers and directs all incoming calls into the agency, including, taking messages as needed.
• Engages and directs all incoming traffic; oversees the waiting area and all public facing facilities.
• Assists all new clients with intake paperwork; communicates co-payment or private pay responsibility.
• Directs all benefit eligible and/or clients with delinquent accounts to the billing department for consultation.
• Collects and posts cash (co-pay) payments in billing database; reconciles daily cash.
•  Accurately enters all clinical appointments into scheduler database; makes follow up calls as requested.
• Sorts and distributes all incoming mail and faxes; aids sending of faxes as requested.
• Responsible for entering all client information into our database in a timely and accurate manner.
• Coordinates internal and external meetings on behalf of clinic staff (e.g., interview scheduling, team meeting scheduling, managing meeting room access, etc.).
• Supports all clinic administrative needs including but not limited to creating and maintaining clinic staff lists and phone numbers for easy access, creating on call rotation schedule, facilitating staff supply orders, etc.
• Supports fellow colleagues by providing back up to other support positions and duties as needed.
• Adheres to professional standards, F&CS policies and procedures, federal, state, and local requirements, and OMH standards, including HIPPA requirements.
• Other assignments and tasks may be added at the discretion of the Clinic Office Manager.

Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will be friendly and engaging to a diverse staff and clientele, have excellent communication skills (written and oral), be detail-oriented, and able to perform several job functions concurrently. The candidate will have demonstrated skills in remaining calm when in a crisis and with patience and understanding in working with individuals who struggle with mental illness. All candidates must have comfort and facility with electronic communication, databases, and programs. Specific Microsoft office proficiency and electronic medical records experience is highly desirable. Prior experience working in a healthcare setting is a plus. Must have a clear understanding of how to maintain confidentiality and professionalism in the workplace.

Contact Information: Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to asundsmo@fcsith.org, or to the address below. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Attn: Dr. Alecia Sundsmo, Director of Clinical Services

asundsmo@fcsith.org 
Family & Children’s Service of Ithaca
127 W. State Street
Ithaca, NY 14850

Responsibilities

• Conduct individual biopsychosocial and diagnostic assessments to identify client needs, including whether client meets DSM/ICD criteria for diagnoses treatable within OMH MHOTRS program and the medical necessity standard for insurance billable services.
• Develop treatment plans collaboratively with clients in order to help manage expectations for progress in treatment and when goals are met such that the current episode of care will end.
• Assess ongoing risk, including but not limited to threat to self or others, and develop safety plans that mitigate risk.
• Provide individual, couples, and/or family therapy sessions using evidenced-based interventions that are client-centered and drive toward treatment goals.
• Adhere to agency and OMH documentation standards, including both content covered and timeliness of completion.
• Demonstrate continued professional growth including deepening and broadening clinical practice through continuing education and supervision.
• Effectively use peer and supervisory consultation as needed, but especially in high risk situations.
• Respond after hours for urgent/crisis needs of agency clients as needed.
• Maintain full caseload and meet clinical billable hour performance metrics.
• Collaborate with internal partners, such as psychiatric team members, as well as external partners, such as PCPs and schools, in order to deliver coordinated care to clients.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s or doctorate degree in psychology, social work, mental health counseling, or marriage and family therapy.
• Ability to obtain independent clinical license to practice in the state of NY, including diagnostic privilege if required separately from standard scope of practice for license type, within three years of date of hire.
• Previous education, training, and clinical experience in differential diagnostic assessment and evidenced-based treatment of mental health conditions.
• Ability to perform clinical duties from a culturally responsive lens, including incorporating aspects of client identity throughout the assessment and treatment process.

Preferred Qualifications

• Independent clinical license, with diagnostic privilege if applicable for license type
• Training and experience treating comorbid substance use disorders
• Training and experience treating children age 12 and under and/or older adults age 65+
• Training or experience with collaborative documentation
• Additional certifications or formal training in a specific modality of evidenced-based care

Contact Information: Please email a cover letter and resume to

Dr. Alecia Sundsmo, Director of Clinical Services
asundsmo@fcsith.org
Family & Children’s Service of Ithaca
127 W. State Street
Ithaca, NY 14850
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.