JOB SUMMARY: Full Time Therapist for Specialized therapeutic Foster Care (STFC) is responsible professional work delivering intensive in-home therapeutic services for youth in foster care utilizing a multi-model approach with individuals and families. Involves a broad range of training and development activities, assessment services, caseload consultation and requires quality documentation of services completed under the supervision of a licensed professional. Qualified supervision for mental health counseling registered interns available

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Therapists deliver intensive in-home therapeutic services using a trauma informed care approach to a caseload of 3-4 youth in foster care and their foster parents. Service delivery provided in a home setting.
2. Therapist provides assessment services and caseload consultation. Provides on-going assessment, evaluation, treatment, discharge planning and other therapeutic services as required in individual counseling sessions.
3. Therapist completes accurate, timely clinical documentation of the highest quality and consistent with agency standards, rules and regulation, and Medicaid. Completes required assessments, treatment plans and progress notes.
4. Therapists formulates, coordinates and implements programming associated with the treatment plan through full knowledge of the client history and the impact on course of treatment.
5. Therapist’s facilitate the implementation of the treatment plan with the caregivers. Monitors the overall course of treatment services for the client and family. Convenes treatment team meetings as scheduled or as needed.
6. Therapists assist with case coordination and communication with identified partners such as Department of Children and Families and Guardian Ad Litems.
7. Therapist attends and participates in all treatment plan reviews, peer reviews, psychiatric consultations, internal/external utilization meetings, and/or any client review meetings requiring the therapist’s input.
8. Therapist facilitates a therapeutic transition and a positive placement for each client.
9. Therapists attend scheduled psychiatric appointments with clients on Doctor’s Day.
10. Therapists work within the philosophy, function and Human Resources practices of the Children's Home Network.
11. Therapists attend agency and required training as directed.
12. Therapists prepare and conducts agency-wide or program specific training as directed.
13. Participate in all Continuous Quality Improvement activities as required.
14. Perform other duties as assigned.

***THESE ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS ARE NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS A COMPLETE STATEMENT OF ALL DUTIES PERFORMED. EMPLOYEES WILL BE REQUIRED TO PERFORM OTHER JOB RELATED MARGINAL DUTIES AS REQUIRED***

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education & Experience: A Master’s Degree from an accredited university or college in the field of social work, counseling, or psychology and two years’ experience in providing services to children, or special needs youth, at risk youth or persons with serious mental illness and training in evaluations and assessments, treatment planning, treatment interventions, documentation, abuse regulations, patient rights and crisis intervention.

Licenses & Certifications:

• License in mental health or clinical social work a plus.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida driver’s license with no record of criminal driving offense of license suspension in the past 5 years.
• Must possess means of providing job related transportation and show proof of required insurance. Must be insurable under CHN’s current auto insurance policy.
• Must successfully complete and maintain FDLE clearance, Federal background and state criminal background check and sexual predator screening.
• Current CPR and First Aid Certification

COMPETENCIES & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:

Annual Training Requirements: The following training topics are required annually: Sexual Harassment, Blood-borne Pathogens, Workplace Accident Prevention and Reporting, Confidentiality and Privacy Practices, Diversity/Cultural Competency, Child Abuse and Neglect Mandated Reporter Statutes, Trauma Informed Care, Professional Parenting and Methods, Prevention of Violence in the Workplace, OSHA-related training, Crisis Prevention, and Program Goals.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing. Ability to establish effective working relationships with clients, co-workers, supervisors and other individuals. Possess effective interpersonal skills.
• Must be able to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Knowledge of Department of Children and Families rules and regulations regarding the care of children.
• Knowledge of child abuse or neglect reporting procedures and methods.
• Knowledge of counseling, intervention and treatment methods, strategies and techniques.
• Ability to work as a multi-disciplinary team member in a positive productive manner.
• Ability to convey ideas, concepts and case studies to clients, other clinical staff, families, court, and to other audiences as required.
• Ability to participate in play therapy activities.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL SKILLS:

• Visual: ability to safely operate a motor vehicle, read printed materials, and make observations of physical facilities.
• Hearing: ability to understand and comprehend spoken dialogue in individual and group settings.
• Ability to speak clearly and effectively.
• Reasonable accommodation will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability.
• Ability to use a personal computer and related office equipment.
• Ability to use hands and fingers for typing.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Good hearing (with or without hearing device).
• Able to lift at least 20 lbs.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

• Works within an office environment.
• High level of emotional discussions requiring self-awareness regarding loss/abuse issues and understanding of professional boundaries.
• High interaction with children.
• Possible exposure to verbal abuse and physical behavior.