What are the responsibilities and job description for the Therapeutic Clinician position at La Plata County?
Provides trauma-informed, person-centered care to children and adolescents and biological, adoptive and foster parents. Recruits, trains and certifies foster parents. Opportunity for no-cost postgraduate supervision for licensures i.e. LPC or MSW. Occasional paid emergent on-call services after hours required. Excellent organizational and communication skills required. Travel within Colorado for training and case management.
Position primarily provides therapeutic services to individuals and/or families in La Plata and San Juan counties; provides professional case worker services; provides a full range of intake and ongoing case management; serves as a specialist in areas such as sexual abuse therapy, play therapy, family therapy, home-based therapy or investigating difficult and/or complex abuse cases; makes referrals to community resources and/or protective services; maintains records, documentation and reports related to services provided. Position requires thorough, advanced knowledge of established theories, principles and concepts of social casework practice, including in-depth therapeutic approaches, techniques of affecting changes in behavior, casework intervention skills and human behavior related to assigned program area(s). Functions independently, requiring only supervisory consultation, and has acquired a high level of expertise in the field.Essential functions may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks. Reasonable accommodations, as defined under the American with Disabilities Act, will be made when possible.
Provides child psychotherapy, using play therapy, to children traumatized through family violence, physical abuse or neglect, emotional abuse or sexual abuse so they can be maintained in their own home, be reunited with their family after placement in foster care or be placed in an adoptive home successfully; explains process to affected parties and enlists their participation at appropriate stages; and maintains appropriate documentation throughout therapy.
Provides home, school, or office-based family, individual and marriage therapy for clients referred from child protection workers and community sources; provides safe, therapeutic environment so clients can learn more appropriate communication, anger management, crisis management and problem-solving skills with an emphasis on child safety and welfare; and maintains appropriate documentation throughout therapy.
Provides casework and therapeutic services to clients with underage children who are placed by the Court; develops plans for timely permanency for children; and maintains appropriate documentation throughout process.
Provides ongoing case management and support services to children and youth in long term foster care or independent living situations; develops and monitors plans for situations; makes arrangements for needed services; provides family counseling services to preserve placements and prevent moves, if possible; and maintains appropriate documentation throughout process.
Provides therapeutic services to female adolescent victims of sexual abuse; meets with prospective group members to assess their ability and readiness to participate in a therapeutic group; provides individual services for those that need to meet outside a group format; meets with non-offending parents of victims to provide information about sexual abuse issues and treatment; and maintains appropriate documentation throughout process.
Provides therapeutic support to the therapeutic foster homes.The therapeutic foster clinician (ThFC)will provide intensive/extensive clinical assessment and treatment services to ThFC families, and the children/youth placed in their care with the primary goal of reducing and/or eliminating acute concerns in order to return to a lower level of care.
Provides pre and post adoption services; provides relinquishing counseling to biological parents; assesses viability of and offers services/referrals to adoptive homes; facilitates preparation and filing of paperwork related to adoption process; makes recommendations about finalization of adoption; and provides necessary services or referrals after finalization to preserve the intact family.
Manages a specialized caseload of difficult/complex child abuse or neglect cases; screens and investigates child abuse or neglect referrals; determines child safety and initiates child safety decision making and action steps; determines whether child needs to be temporarily removed from the immediate circumstances; makes necessary arrangements for foster care or other types of assistance as needed; contacts appropriate reporting channel if abuse or neglect is suspected.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Regular and predictable attendance is required.
MATERIAL AND EQUIPMENT USED:
Computer and general office equipment
Non-Discrimination and EEO Statement
La Plata County prohibits discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with La Plata County on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, national origin, disability, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or genetic information.
La Plata County is an equal opportunity employer and assures equal employment opportunities for protected classes, persons with disabilities and for covered veterans. Covered veterans include: special disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, Vietnam era veterans, or any other veterans who served on active duty during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge was authorized.
Inquiries regarding La Plata County's equal employment opportunity policies may be directed to:
Director of Human Resources
1101 E 2nd Avenue
Durango, CO 81301
Tel: (970)382-6361
Fax: (970)375-7985
Email: HRHelpdesk@lpcgov.orgEducation and Experience:
Licenses and Certifications:
Valid State Driver’s LicenseKnowledge of:
Thorough, advanced knowledge of established theories, principles and concepts of social casework practice.
Addiction, domestic/family violence, developmental disabilities and mental health issues and signs/symptoms.
Child and adult protection issues, investigative procedures and laws.
Therapeutic theories and practices relating to families and children.
Child development, life stage development, attachment and bonding theories and appropriate parenting practices.
Policies, procedures, philosophies, rules, ethics and regulations governing the services to clients.
Applicable state, federal and local ordinances, laws, rules and regulations and how they apply to child and adult protection.
Community resources available to assist clients.
Formal mediation process and family group decision making process.
All computer applications and hardware related to performance of the essential functions of the job.
Recordkeeping, report preparation, filing methods and records management techniques.
Correct English usage, including spelling, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary.
Skill in:
Conducting comprehensive family assessments and selecting/implementing therapeutic interventions based on accurate assessments.
Using forensic interviewing techniques.
Assessing evidence, to include determining if a client’s injuries are consistent with reported abuse.
Implementing formal mediations.
Organizing and facilitating family group decision making meetings.
Using tact, discretion, initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines.
Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials.
Researching, compiling, and summarizing a variety of informational and statistical data and materials.
Testifying in court, including testifying as an expert witness.
Organizing work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines, and following up on assignments with a minimum of direction.
Applying logical thinking to solve problems or accomplish tasks; to understand, interpret and communicate complicated policies, procedures and protocols.
Using mathematics.
Communicating clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
Mental and Physical Abilities:
Ability to respond to each client with empathy and respect.
Ability to deescalate chaotic and/or potentially violent situations and set limits when appropriate.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of individuals.
Ability to make critical decisions in high risk and high stress situations.
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
Ability to collect, process and utilize incoming information, define problems, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to speak effectively before groups and respond to questions.
While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is frequently required to sit, reach with hands and arms, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, ascend and descend stairs and maintain body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking on weather affected surfaces and in rural environments, and speak and hear.
While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is occasionally required to walk, stand, and lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is occasionally required to use color, sound, texture, shape and odor perception and discrimination, and to drive in inclement weather and to remote areas of the county.
Position primarily provides therapeutic services to individuals and/or families in La Plata and San Juan counties; provides professional case worker services; provides a full range of intake and ongoing case management; serves as a specialist in areas such as sexual abuse therapy, play therapy, family therapy, home-based therapy or investigating difficult and/or complex abuse cases; makes referrals to community resources and/or protective services; maintains records, documentation and reports related to services provided. Position requires thorough, advanced knowledge of established theories, principles and concepts of social casework practice, including in-depth therapeutic approaches, techniques of affecting changes in behavior, casework intervention skills and human behavior related to assigned program area(s). Functions independently, requiring only supervisory consultation, and has acquired a high level of expertise in the field.Essential functions may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks. Reasonable accommodations, as defined under the American with Disabilities Act, will be made when possible.
Provides child psychotherapy, using play therapy, to children traumatized through family violence, physical abuse or neglect, emotional abuse or sexual abuse so they can be maintained in their own home, be reunited with their family after placement in foster care or be placed in an adoptive home successfully; explains process to affected parties and enlists their participation at appropriate stages; and maintains appropriate documentation throughout therapy.
Provides home, school, or office-based family, individual and marriage therapy for clients referred from child protection workers and community sources; provides safe, therapeutic environment so clients can learn more appropriate communication, anger management, crisis management and problem-solving skills with an emphasis on child safety and welfare; and maintains appropriate documentation throughout therapy.
Provides casework and therapeutic services to clients with underage children who are placed by the Court; develops plans for timely permanency for children; and maintains appropriate documentation throughout process.
Provides ongoing case management and support services to children and youth in long term foster care or independent living situations; develops and monitors plans for situations; makes arrangements for needed services; provides family counseling services to preserve placements and prevent moves, if possible; and maintains appropriate documentation throughout process.
Provides therapeutic services to female adolescent victims of sexual abuse; meets with prospective group members to assess their ability and readiness to participate in a therapeutic group; provides individual services for those that need to meet outside a group format; meets with non-offending parents of victims to provide information about sexual abuse issues and treatment; and maintains appropriate documentation throughout process.
Provides therapeutic support to the therapeutic foster homes.The therapeutic foster clinician (ThFC)will provide intensive/extensive clinical assessment and treatment services to ThFC families, and the children/youth placed in their care with the primary goal of reducing and/or eliminating acute concerns in order to return to a lower level of care.
Provides pre and post adoption services; provides relinquishing counseling to biological parents; assesses viability of and offers services/referrals to adoptive homes; facilitates preparation and filing of paperwork related to adoption process; makes recommendations about finalization of adoption; and provides necessary services or referrals after finalization to preserve the intact family.
Manages a specialized caseload of difficult/complex child abuse or neglect cases; screens and investigates child abuse or neglect referrals; determines child safety and initiates child safety decision making and action steps; determines whether child needs to be temporarily removed from the immediate circumstances; makes necessary arrangements for foster care or other types of assistance as needed; contacts appropriate reporting channel if abuse or neglect is suspected.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Regular and predictable attendance is required.
MATERIAL AND EQUIPMENT USED:
Computer and general office equipment
Non-Discrimination and EEO Statement
La Plata County prohibits discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with La Plata County on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, national origin, disability, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or genetic information.
La Plata County is an equal opportunity employer and assures equal employment opportunities for protected classes, persons with disabilities and for covered veterans. Covered veterans include: special disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, Vietnam era veterans, or any other veterans who served on active duty during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge was authorized.
Inquiries regarding La Plata County's equal employment opportunity policies may be directed to:
Director of Human Resources
1101 E 2nd Avenue
Durango, CO 81301
Tel: (970)382-6361
Fax: (970)375-7985
Email: HRHelpdesk@lpcgov.orgEducation and Experience:
- Master’s degree from an accredited program in counseling, social work, or related field of human services. LCSW, LPC, orLMFT licensurepreferred.; and,
- Two (2) years of relevant experience preferred in the field of mentalhealth therapeutic intervention with children, adolescents, andfamilies.
- Experience with family preservation services and trauma-informed care is preferred.
Licenses and Certifications:
Valid State Driver’s LicenseKnowledge of:
Thorough, advanced knowledge of established theories, principles and concepts of social casework practice.
Addiction, domestic/family violence, developmental disabilities and mental health issues and signs/symptoms.
Child and adult protection issues, investigative procedures and laws.
Therapeutic theories and practices relating to families and children.
Child development, life stage development, attachment and bonding theories and appropriate parenting practices.
Policies, procedures, philosophies, rules, ethics and regulations governing the services to clients.
Applicable state, federal and local ordinances, laws, rules and regulations and how they apply to child and adult protection.
Community resources available to assist clients.
Formal mediation process and family group decision making process.
All computer applications and hardware related to performance of the essential functions of the job.
Recordkeeping, report preparation, filing methods and records management techniques.
Correct English usage, including spelling, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary.
Skill in:
Conducting comprehensive family assessments and selecting/implementing therapeutic interventions based on accurate assessments.
Using forensic interviewing techniques.
Assessing evidence, to include determining if a client’s injuries are consistent with reported abuse.
Implementing formal mediations.
Organizing and facilitating family group decision making meetings.
Using tact, discretion, initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines.
Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials.
Researching, compiling, and summarizing a variety of informational and statistical data and materials.
Testifying in court, including testifying as an expert witness.
Organizing work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines, and following up on assignments with a minimum of direction.
Applying logical thinking to solve problems or accomplish tasks; to understand, interpret and communicate complicated policies, procedures and protocols.
Using mathematics.
Communicating clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
Mental and Physical Abilities:
Ability to respond to each client with empathy and respect.
Ability to deescalate chaotic and/or potentially violent situations and set limits when appropriate.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of individuals.
Ability to make critical decisions in high risk and high stress situations.
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
Ability to collect, process and utilize incoming information, define problems, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to speak effectively before groups and respond to questions.
While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is frequently required to sit, reach with hands and arms, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, ascend and descend stairs and maintain body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking on weather affected surfaces and in rural environments, and speak and hear.
While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is occasionally required to walk, stand, and lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is occasionally required to use color, sound, texture, shape and odor perception and discrimination, and to drive in inclement weather and to remote areas of the county.
Salary : $66,810 - $70,920