ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Reports directly to the Vice President of Foster Care. Supervises and provides direction to therapists in the Foster Care. Administers foster care program the general policies and guidelines of the Agency; provides overall leadership, supervision and coordination to develop and maintain effective team delivery of services to youth. Requires knowledge of trauma exposure, knowledge of the 5 S's of trauma: Safety, Self-Regulation/Soothing, Supportive, Strengths, Self-Care, and an understanding of and recognition of the signs of traumatic stress. Use of effective verbal and written communication with employees, referring agencies, youth and families as well as use of verbal and physical intervention skills with youth weighing a minimum of 50 lbs. Monitors and evaluates clinical services to the program. Frequent use of computer, ensuring record keeping of quality and accurate data, ie Medicaid notes, DCFS data base, agency data base. Maintains flexibility to adjust work schedule according to Agency needs. Demonstrates quality leadership to enable the smooth operation and correlation of services. Flexible schedule required as Clinical Services Manager maintains on-call responsibility 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop, coordinate and implement program services consistent with program objectives and agency policies
• Assist with the writing of grants and proposals to maintain and grow clinical services
• Responsible for assigning and monitoring the caseloads of program therapists
• Responsible for ensuring that assigned programs meet all defined outcomes
• Coordinates and provides oversight on treatment services from intake through post-discharge
• Ensures compliance with defined contractual documentation requirements and Medicaid Part 132 within established time frames
• Review and approve documentation for submission to permanent record
• Provides leadership in treatment planning for parents and youth of foster care.
• Assist team members in development of treatment plan for children and families, permanency as applicable, life skill education, crisis intervention etc.
• Monitors the individual treatment and discharge plans of the children and families progress as established
• Ensure adequate coordination takes place with family, community resources and other agency programs for sound linkage and flow of services
• Participates in team meetings and uses other meetings to accomplish the objectives the agency has for youth and families
• Facilitate and/or monitor clinical staffings, team meetings as deemed appropriate
• Maintains and tracks required entries into agency data system(s)
• Fills in for assigned employees as needed
• Provide direct supervision to employees assigned and oversees work schedules to ensure program needs are in compliance and coordinate/ monitors for proper provision of treatment services
• Responsible for conducting and documenting regular supervision meetings with assigned employees
• Holds regular staff meetings for each area of assignment
• Sets a positive example for employees, is a role model. Supports and trains employees on appropriate strategies using the 5 S's and therapeutic de-escalation skills

Clinical Manager- Foster Care

Job Description pg. 2

• Promotes professional growth in employees, fostering strengths and redirecting efforts as necessary
• Ensure employees attend training related to being trauma informed-at least two every twelve months
• Mediate personnel conflicts with respect and dignity
• Understand the impact of secondary trauma and workplace stress and use strategies to prevent, minimize and/or help employees heal and recover.
• Ensure assessment tools used to inform practice and treatment include screens for trauma exposure
• Maintain fidelity of trauma focused interventions and treatment modalities
• Holds regular (at least bi-weekly), documented supervision of supervisees
• Actively involved in planning and delivery of training related to own area of expertise and needs of programs supervised
• Works collaboratively with Vice President of Foster Care in ensuring knowledge of and adherence to personnel policies and practices
• Will participate in an on-call rotation for the program afterhours, and may include onsite hours on weekends, evenings, and holidays
• Interviews, employs, and makes recommendations for disciplinary action and termination of employees within area of responsibility
• Works collaboratively with other Agency employees to ensure a well-planned and cooperative total Agency team approach to programs and services
• Provides consultation and training to program employees as needed
• Maintains agency and departmental procedure manuals recommending changes affecting program operations
• Uses active and reflective listening skills and affirmations to demonstrate respect and empathy, avoiding negative and derogatory labels that foster disrespect
• Understand that behaviors, responses, attitudes, and emotions are a collection of survival skills often developed in response to traumatic experiences
• Maintain confidentiality of employees, volunteers, and program participants to provide a safe environment
• Attend at least two trainings related to being trauma informed in a twelve month period
• Ability to work effectively with program participants and family members, employees and vendors in a culturally diverse environment to support healing and recovery
• Maintains electronic calendar to provide accounting for daily activities and provides permissions for viewing to the appropriate individuals
• Demonstrates a commitment to and participates in Performance Quality Improvement (PQI) including completion of required documentation
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be 21 years of age
• Master's degree in social work (or a related field) with at least three (3) years of post-degree experience
• All applicants must be fully licensed in Illinois as LPC, LCSW, LMFT, or psychologist. Individuals currently pursuing SOTP licensure or experienced clinicians interested in being supervised toward this area of expertise are acceptable
• Knowledge of childhood trauma and prior experience working in settings with youth and families that have been exposed to trauma or experiencing traumatic stress preferred
• Knowledge of youth development, adolescent issues, positive youth development/strength based approach preferred
• Personal vehicle or access to vehicle and proof of insurance

Clinical Manager- Foster Care

Job Description pg. 3

• Valid Illinois Driver's license
• No history of child abuse or neglect
• Ability to pass background and drug screen

COMPENSATION:

• Compensation is determined by using a consistent base salary for each individual position. For this position, a Master's degree candidate starts at $66,500. Offer increases dependent on education, certification/licensure, and years of experience.

This position meets the FLSA requirements for Exempt.

Job descriptions are not intended, and should not be construed to be all-inclusive lists of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with a job. While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the job requirements, management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties from particular jobs and to assign other duties as necessary.

Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V