Teachers and therapists are two of the most needed career fields in the United States today. While different in practice, both contribute to the mental health and wellbeing of our nation’s youth, making them pivotal careers for anyone looking to make a difference in the lives of teens and adolescents.

At KVC Missouri, we understand the high levels of stress that teachers and therapists undergo. This can especially ring true when working with clients who have experienced some level of trauma. That’s why we make it our mission to provide unending support to our employees every step of the way, including in their education before joining our team. See what it’s like to be part of our team, and why a move to KVC Missouri could be a life-changing step in your career.

The Growing Need for Teachers and Therapists in Missouri

Missouri has a growing need for teachers and therapists due to a number of factors, including the aftermath of COVID-19 on education and education providers and shifts to more virtual methods of learning and therapy. At places like KVC Missouri, this need is even greater, as our teachers and therapists work with children and teens in times of crisis. See how becoming a teacher at KVC can lead to a long and fulfilling career.

Missouri’s Teacher Shortage

In 2022, Missouri education officials declared a “point of crisis” in Missouri’s chronic teacher shortage, and the problem remains prevalent. While the state legislature has begun implementing measures to better recruit and retain teachers, the issues can be addressed on a private scale as well. And that’s what we intend to do at KVC Missouri by offering quality compensation and benefits to our teachers and a safe, supportive work environment.

Mental Health Provider Shortage

The number of mental health professionals nationally simply does not meet the demand for care, and we’ve seen this impact on a micro level as well within KVC Missouri. As a large percentage of therapists move toward retirement, the number of incoming college graduates with mental health-related degrees is dwindling, in large part due to difficulties affording high tuition costs and managing student loan payback.

How KVC Helps Employees with Tuition Assistance

Just as KVC Missouri works hard to support and empower our clients, we also want to support and empower our employees. One practical way we offer this support is through our tuition assistance policy, which helps reimburse employees for educational courses that enhance job skills, knowledge and abilities they’ll need to serve and lead. This is especially important for therapists, who may have continuing education requirements to maintain their licensure.

How It Works

If you are a KVC employee, you may be eligible for up to $5,250 per year of tuition assistance covering continuing education through a relevant accredited program. This may include college credit courses or job-related certifications. This reimbursement caps at $21,000 as a lifetime maximum covering tuition expenses only. Any full-time employee who has worked at KVC for at least a year is eligible for tuition reimbursement!

Support to Succeed

Many professionals hesitate to pursue continuing education because they fear a lack of support. However, Amber Boggs, a teacher at KVC Missouri, returned to earn an advanced degree while working at KVC and felt supported by her team every step of the way.

“I kept saying, ‘I don’t have enough time, I can’t do it right now,” she remembers. “And while my team didn’t prod me, they were firm in saying that I should do it, and they knew I could. It’s a close-knit family here.”

Six Reasons Teachers and Therapists Love Working at KVC Missouri

When considering a career in education or mental health, it’s encouraging to know that there are not only available jobs, but also high-quality and fulfilling opportunities. See how you can make a difference as a therapist at KVC. To give you an inside look at what a career as a teacher or therapist is like at KVC Missouri, here are some of the reasons teachers and therapists love being a part of our team:

1. Prioritizes Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

We care about creating a safe, inclusive and welcoming work environment. To that effect, we have formed a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEI+B) Council to make actionable plans for the future of KVC Missouri. By taking intentional steps toward fostering belonging and connection in the workplace, we hope to draw fresh talent that brings diverse perspectives, backgrounds and experiences to their role at KVC Missouri. We encourage all employees to join this council as every KVC employee is eligible to do so.

2. Top 1% of Employers for Workplace Wellbeing

Last year, the world’s #1 job website Indeed launched a Work Wellbeing score to help identify and rank how employers measure up in terms of employee purpose, satisfaction and sense of a stress-free workplace. Based on this score, KVC Health Systems ranks in the top 1% of employers nationwide with a well-being score of 80 (up from 77 last year!)

KVC Academy Lebanon Teachers and Staff

3. Supporting All Phases of the Journey

We understand that not everyone is at the same place in their career journey. KVC has positions available for teachers and therapists at all skill levels. Provisional promotions in place once degrees and licensures are acquired. 

Paired with our tuition reimbursement program, this can help teachers and therapists start their careers all while still finishing their education. Whether you are a current student, new graduate, provisionally licensed therapist or long-time licensed therapist, KVC has opportunities to match your level of expertise and career goals!

“They have supported me every step of the way,” Amber says. “It doesn’t matter where you have been or where you came from in your career. We’re all in this together. We’re going to help you and make sure you’re not stuck on an island and help push you to make sure that you’re bettering yourself.”

4. Flexible Career Options

KVC Missouri offers a vast array of services to the children and families of our state, and that means varying and flexible career options for our teachers and therapists. These options can help you do what you love in a setting and field that interests you, such as:

• Outpatient/in-home services
• Community-based settings
• Working within a residential mental health facility
• Or traditional education settings

KVC Missouri’s 2023 Impact Report

5. Comprehensive Benefits

KVC Missouri offers fantastic benefits! These benefits may vary depending on the role, but generally include:

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Flexible schedule with hybrid and work-from-home options; build your own schedule
• Professional development and advancement opportunities
• Company-paid clinical supervision and mentorship
• In-house clinical trainings that can be applied as CEUs to maintain licensure; tuition and CEU reimbursement
• Company-paid liability insurance
• Employee assistance program (which includes free therapy for you and your family)
• Health, dental and vision insurance
• Company-paid life insurance and disability coverage
• Generous paid time off for holidays, vacations and sick days
• Company-paid parental leave plan
• Retirement plan savings match with immediate company match
• And so much more!

6. Team Support

Both our teachers and our therapists are surrounded by a supportive and encouraging team throughout the workday and beyond. This team support is a significant component of why our teachers and therapists love working at KVC!

Take a look at these Indeed reviews from current KVC Missouri employees:

“The culture is positive and bright with supportive management, depending on location. In my location, management is supportive and empowering without being micromanaging and intrusive. Management and your team expect you to know how to do your job and to do it well while still leaving room for growth and adaptation.” – KVC Missouri Therapist Review

“Both the company and the staff I get to work with are caring of myself and our students. When something happens whether at work or outside of work, everyone is supportive of one another and ensures that things get taken care of.” – KVC Missouri Teacher Review

Make an Impact at KVC Missouri

“I couldn’t imagine working anywhere else because of the stories we get to help develop,” Amber says. “We’ve had two students graduate recently from our program, and seeing where they started and how we were able to help them has been wonderful. Seeing them become successful is probably my favorite part of the job.” 

If you’re looking for a career as a teacher or therapist at one of the best workplaces in Missouri, where you can help write the next chapter in your own story, we’re hiring! Take a look at our careers to see available positions in your area.