Therapist job description

A great job description starts with a compelling summary of the job and its role within your company. Your summary should provide an overview of your company and what’s expected in the role. To help job seekers determine whether they are qualified and whether the job would suit them, describe the kinds of activities and duties required for the job.

Example of a therapist job description

Our professional services organization is looking for an experienced therapist to help our staff develop coping mechanisms for the stressful situations they encounter at work. You will work as part of an internal team that provides our employees with counseling and resources to avoid burnout and other risks. The ideal candidate will offer personalized plans designed to help our clients achieve their personal short- and long-term goals. Strong verbal and written communication skills are vital, as is a willingness to work in coordination with internal teams or external agencies who are also working with your clients. The primary therapist meets with their designated clients on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis. Typical hours are 8 AM to 4 PM, Monday through Friday, with occasional meetings on weekends.

Therapist responsibilities and duties

The section on duties and tasks is the most important part of the job description. Here, you can describe the functions that the role regularly involves, the way the work is organized within the organization, and for whom the work is performed. For example:

• assessing client needs and creating personalized treatment plans
• group teaching of coping mechanisms, related to stress and trauma encountered at work
• supporting individuals with the resources they need to achieve their personal goals
• monitoring clients’ progress and adjusting their treatment plan as needed
• maintaining certification as a certified Canadian Counsellor for the role of therapist
• coordinating with other healthcare providers, agencies, and community resources to create a comprehensive treatment plan

Therapist qualifications and skills

Next, you may describe the skills required and sought for your job. This could include education, prior professional experience, certifications, and technical skills. You can also include the non-technical skills and personality traits that you are looking for in a successful hire. While it can be tempting to include an extensive list of skills and requirements, too large a number might discourage qualified candidates from applying. Keep your list of qualifications concise but provide sufficient detail with key words and relevant terms. For example:

• bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, or counselling
• excellent communication skills
• ability to empathize with clients
• ability to make use of internal and external resources as part of a client treatment plan
• willingness to work on-call
• experience in writing assessments and reports to track clients’ progress