direct support professional

therapist

mental health therapist

case manager

school principal

Catholic Charities of Baltimore

Catholic Charities of Baltimore is a run of the mill agency that places unrealistic expectations on their employees that cause subpar services to those who really need support.  To determine what an average day looks like would depend upon the type of schedule you work out with your supervisor.  You can expect to carry a caseload of 35 - 50 clients, consisting of children and adults.  Most services are rendered in a school which requires the therapist to flex their schedules.  Working in a school as a therapist is one of the most frustrating situations because each school has different schedules.  For example, high schools have a flex period which allows students to choose where they want to go and either participate in extra assistance on assignments or participate in a club.  It is almost impossible to locate clients during this time for a few reasons, but the main two that come to mind is no cell service in the building or students go to different places each flex period.  The other issue with working inside the schools are you will need to run around the building to find your clients.  Most schools will not call students down to an office for you.  This may seem like a small thing, but when you are trying to fit in 7-10 clients a day for 38 minute minimum sessions (to meet Volume of Service or VOS). 

Volume of Service is the measurement used by the agency to determine how much work/revenue you are bringing into the agency.  A full time therapist has to bill 23.5 credits/billable a week to make their numbers.  Yes, this seems doable. But you have to carry the caseload of 35 or more to meet that due to the high rate of no shows as stated in the beginning of this review.  Its advisable to do your research on what the agency gets reimbursed and inquire about the VOS Credit Structure. 

 Keep in mind that all of your clients are Medicaid (the highest reimbursement for insurance).  In Maryland a 38 minute session will reimburse roughly $99.00 per session.  When you do the math and look at what your salary, the agency is truly making money.  Administrators push for family sessions because they reimburse at a higher rate.  As a school based therapist it is very difficult to get families engaged.  For those interested a family session ranges between $114-$130 a session.  Intakes are almost reimbursed between $180-$190 per intake.  Furthermore, therapists are often required to keep clinic hours which justifies supervisors to push more clients because of the no show rate at the clinic.  The frustrating part was that many weeks all clinic clients would show up and clients at school would be present; therefore, making your week jammed.  If you like doing high amounts of unnecessary paperwork (real paper not just EMR) just to be scanned into the EMR by support staff.  

Supervisors have very easy jobs.  Most keep caseloads of about 20 and only have to conduct less than 15 sessions a week to meet their VOS. Supervisors often will get college students seeking licensure and get the credit for the sessions the intern complete which leads to high bonuses (which aren't really bonuses but are sold as such).  The beginning salary for therapists is between 45K-47K for a LM or LG. Fully licensed therapists make between 48K-50K depending upon years of experience.   Not worth the amount of work you have to do.

This company has shifts that are too long, Every shift should be no more than 8hrs per day. Your weekends can easily be 12 hrs per day if not longer. They should do away with sleep over postions. Because you're not paid for them unless it's awake overnight. Management is never hands on much less tangible. Management acts as if you call them you're bothering them. Management doesn't realize they have 24hr responsibility hints the word (Manager) Management plays blind to alot of issues. Directors are no different,raises should go by a Merit system. You can be late give out the wrong medications, call out and you'll still get a raise. The raises are nothing to write home about you wear too many hats you're a cook, medication tech, driver, activity planner, appt runner and for the money they pay it's definitely not enough. Management will expect you to know a million things and they no nothing Management will also make you find your own coverage when you want to take off but if you've accumulated your time off you should be able to take off without issues Managerment acts like they can't work in the homes. Favoritism what's expected of some staff is not expected of others. Management will always throw you under the bus if it means saving their job. Management is very lazy and the Directors know it and could careless. Most Management have been there for years I'm sure and they always get away with stuff and the higher ups know it they just don't care. They pretend to care about the clients but in actuality they just comply with whatever the state makes up at that time. Management thinks they can talk to staff any kind of way. But you can talk to them in a civil manner thry're not use to that.

I loved the clients that I worked with and had good relationships with coworkers. However, there were some major issues in the agency. The front office staff lost paper referrals I had gotten from the school, there was no structure related to school relations, and the productivity numbers are way more important than the therapist’s wellbeing. Also when I would directly ask for support when getting overwhelmed at the school in which I was placed, I was told no. Every time I asked for assistance with the school in which I was placed, it was brushed off.  When I started, I was thrown into the school with no direction and created the bridge between the school and agency myself. It felt like I had no support the entirety of my time there. 

You will get pushed over the caseload number they tell you during interview. You will be pushed to work outside of business hours and to expend yourself beyond your role. If that’s the kind of challenge you like, then this may be the job for you!
Note:This review is specifically for the Villa Maria of Harford County office of Catholic Charities. 

New and experienced therapists ,pay attention, LEARN all you can about how a non profit runs, what is the mission statement of the agency AND the management. What population are you serving and why? Do this work for the benefit and good of others WHILE making sure you get what you have earned. Catholic charities is an excellent place to learn so many different skills. You just have to be willing to look beyond what you see. 

Take the initiative to get to know others on your team. You are placed in your own school to make your program,  yet forming a community with your fellow clinicians  helps 

Most enjoyable part of the job is the clients you work with (especially school based) 
The hardest part is making sure all documentation is entered (if you didn't write it down it didn't happen)  Keep in mind you need money to run any type of program/system. 

You get built in supervision! Do your time and get what you need while serving a population in need! 
Overall I enjoyed my time with catholic charities. I had to go where my heart, mind and spirit was telling me. You will learn so much with this agency.

Job was very fun and easy to work , Job description was fairly easy & most of my coworkers were team players. Love my Job! Pandemic came and they had us work the entire pandemic 2020 and in 2021 decided that everyone had to be vaccinated and to leave without options of excuse religious or medical. I had been working for 3 years and was not willing to get the vaccine due to it JUST being released . They had the option to fight for our own independence as a company and would not fight , I have revived 3 residents , Worked OVERTIME AFTER OVERTIME missing plenty of time with my children during the pandemic when everyone was leaving and scared of the virus . They let me go like i was nothing & i felt USED . GREAT WORK ENVIROMENT very peaceful, But the employees do not have a voice & im not only speaking from the pandemic , you NEVER HAVE A VOICE in any situation. Against the nurse , Residents , Visiting healthcare professionals ANYBODY . 

You work at Catholic Charities for the Mission of helping others in Need not for a career path or for the pay. Pay is below average. Turnover rate is exceptionally high. As much as 75% per year in both Human Resources and Information Technology departments. The result causes the remaining workers to worry about their job security.
Management is insulated from the actual people that are being serviced so their decisions are made in a vacuum. As a result, the decisions are not in the best interest of the organization and the people that are being serviced. 
Management can best be described as micro-managers who value efficiency over effectiveness and policy & procedures over resolving issues. The hardest part of the job is dealing with management.

Offers the flexibility and work schedule of private practice while not having to find clients.    I can work a few days a week or all 5 days depending on my schedule.  Management is supportive in doing what works best for me although there is a minimum requirement of clients to be seen (less than other agencies and you get paid even when clients no show).   Hardest part of job is when clients no show and complexity of needs of clients. Pay is competitive and salaries were recently adjusted- so with base and bonus, good money is made for my hard work!   Telehealth is an option and the agency has been hugely flexible during the pandemic.  I feel good about what I do. 

Staff are always looking for who to throw under the bus. Lack of communication and cooperation among peers. Even across management to lower staff. Unit managers are never around and only show up when it's time to fire or hire a staff.  The company only cares about bringing in more kids and overworking the staff.  The pay is extremely low for what you're about to get yourself into. The kids are extremely rude to staff. They attack staff without fear of repercussions. 

I came here every day afraid for my own safety till i couldn't take it anymore, then I left. They try to package the onboarding training to look nice and shiny because they know the employee turnover is extremely high.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The Co-Workers tend to pull together to help each other.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
It depends on the department that you work in. There are different challenges for different areas. But working with the students can sometimes be very stressful. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
The environment Is stressful but the culture can be okay depending on the people that you are working with. If you have a supportive team around you, then things could run much more smoothly. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Like any other school day, with more responsibilities. Just much harder more stressful, and more mentally, physically, and emotionally, and involved.

I've thoroughly enjoyed my first year at Catholic Charities of Baltimore.  There is flexibility in most programs and a great work/life balance.  Our programs are truly mission-driven and provide amazing services to our clients.

The Agency has increased their focus on Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, and has made it one of the strategic initiatives across the company.  I see lots of diversity in all of our programs, and it's great to know the Agency is focused on improving it even more!

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Direct support professional 175 salaries reported	$19.91 per hour
Therapist 25 salaries reported	$70,921 per year
Mental health therapist 10 salaries reported	$66,128 per year
Case manager 23 salaries reported	$53,191 per year
School principal 20 salaries reported	$22.30 per hour

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