Outpatient Clinician

About Walker

Since 1961, Walker Therapeutic & Educational Programs has been a trusted partner for children, youth, and families, navigating some of life’s most difficult challenges. Based in Needham, our mission is to nurture hope, build strengths, and develop lifelong skills in partnership with the children, youth, families, and communities we serve. We provide comprehensive, trauma-informed residential, educational, and clinical services to children and youth with complex social-emotional, behavioral, and learning needs, while supporting their families every step of the way. Through three specialized divisions—Residential & Educational Programs, Behavioral Health & Community-Based Services, and Walker Solutions—we deliver relationship-based care and capacity-building that makes a lasting difference. Today, we serve children, youth, and families from more than 150 communities across Massachusetts.

Make a Difference Every Day—and Gain Skills You Can Use for Life

The Outpatient Clinician role provides a variety of clinical services, including individual, group, and family therapy across clinic, telehealth, school-based, and occasional community settings when clinically indicated or assigned. Responsible for ongoing assessment, diagnostic formulation, treatment planning, implementation of interventions, care coordination, development of all treatment documents within specified timeframes, and discharge planning. Demonstrates flexibility, collaborates as part of a multidisciplinary team, and responds to crises as needed. Commits to child-centered, family-focused, culturally responsive care using Walker-supported evidence-based practices and maintains adherence to outpatient contracts. 

Essential Functions

• Provide individual, family, and group therapy to children, adolescents, and adults via clinic, telehealth, school-based, and occasional community sessions when clinically indicated. 
• Complete intake and diagnostic assessments utilizing ICD-10 diagnostic codes; complete ongoing risk assessment and mental status evaluations at intake and throughout treatment. 
• Develop and maintain person-centered treatment plans and safety plans with measurable goals; update plans with the client/caregivers and collaterals per policy and payer timelines. 
• Complete all necessary clinical documentation in the electronic health record within agency and payer timeframes; ensure documentation supports medical necessity and continuity of care. 
• Coordinate referrals and collaborate with collateral providers (e.g., PCPs, psychiatrists, DCF, schools, CBHI, community partners) to support integrated care and sustainable progress. 
• Maintain adherence to outpatient contracts and payer requirements, including telehealth documentation and privacy standards. 
• Facilitate or co-facilitate therapy groups as assigned; assist with group development, curricula, and logistics. 
• Attend and actively participate in supervision, case consultation, and staff meetings; come prepared to discuss cases, risk, and clinical formulations. 
• Meet weekly, monthly, and annual productivity expectations. 
• Act as a liaison between Walker Community Counseling and community agencies; attend school-based or community meetings as clinically indicated. 
• Engage in quality improvement activities, trainings, and compliance initiatives as required. 
• Additional duties as assigned.

Skills and Abilities

• Must have the ability to access different community locations for meetings and sessions which may include. Walker sites and community-based locations including homes, schools, and community meeting spaces. 
• Ability to be flexible and responsive to client and family scheduling needs and crises between the hours of 9 am and 7 pm. 
• Ability to meet deadlines and follow through with multiple projects simultaneously. 
• Ability to respond to and follow through with requests professionally.   
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.  
• Must be able to sit at workstation for prolonged periods of time, consistent with OSHA requirements.   
• Ability to lift, pull, or push up to 10 lbs.

Schedule:

• Monday-Friday, flexible and evening hours required between 9:00am-7:00pm, on-call responsibilities
• Remote Capabilities: primarily an in-person role, with some ability to perform some functions remotely at times.

Qualifications

Education and Certifications

Required:

• License-eligible degree in social work, psychology, mental health counseling, or marriage and family therapy per 101 CMR 429.000; obtain independent clinical licensure (LICSW, LMHC, or LMFT) after 2 years of full-time employment in the position.

Preferred:

• Independently licensed as LICSW, LMHC, or LMFT

Experience

Required:

• Previous experience working therapeutically with children and adolescents with behavioral health needs and their families.

Preferred:

• Proficiency in use of electronic health record systems and timely production of clinical documentation. 
• Experience providing outpatient therapy services. 
• Experience with strength-based assessment and development of treatment plans based on clear clinical formulations. 
• Knowledge of collateral systems. 
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within a team structure. 
• Demonstrated creativity, cultural curiosity, and flexibility in responding to a variety of clinical presentations, family compositions, and needs. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 

Other Requirements:

• Successfully complete all background check suitability requirements
• Must have reliable transportation with ability to travel to different locations including the ability to travel to community-based meetings and to transport clients and families to appointments, trainings, groups, and other program-related activities.   
• Valid MA driver’s license

• Ability to be flexible and responsive to client and family scheduling needs and crises between the hours of 9:00am and 7:00pm  
• Ability to meet deadlines and follow through with multiple projects simultaneously. 
• Ability to respond to and follow through with requests professionally.   
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.  

• Bilingual capabilities are preferred, but not required

Supervision:

• Reports to: Team Leader/Clinical Supervisor or designee

Equal Opportunity Statement

Walker is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon an individual's race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, national guard or reserve unit obligations, participation in discrimination complaint-related activities, or membership in any category protected by federal or state law.