Therapist

Under the direction of the Vice President of Social Services, the Therapist provides individual and family therapy with clients in the Foster Care Program; provides other social work services as necessary. 

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Social Work and/or Counseling is required.
• Licensed or Certified in Professional Counseling, LMSW, LCSW, or LPC required.
• Minimum of two years of experience working with children with emotional/behavioral problems.

Supervisory Responsibilities

There are no supervisory requirements for this position.

Essential Job Functions

1. Provide clinical therapy and supervision to all children assigned and their families in accordance with appropriate state and CWLA guidelines, rules, and regulations. 
2. Complete Trauma Assessment and develop Safety Plans on an as-needed basis for high-risk youth. 
3. Provide individual counseling and therapy to children in foster homes as needed.  
4. Provide trauma-based and evidence-based training to program staff and foster parents. 
5. Conduct group therapy with foster children and foster parents.  
6. Recognize, intervene, and diffuse difficult and complicated situations using acquired experience and expertise.
7. Act as a liaison between the agency, collateral agencies, and other sources. 
8. Keep the Supervisor informed of any issues, problems, and all activities. 
9. Participate in individual, team, staff, and other meetings. 
10. Complete written records, reports, and all documentation in a timely fashion, including status changes. Input data in TFACTS and ExtendedReach systems within the required timelines. 
11. Attend workshops, seminars, and in-service training to stay abreast of the latest issues, trends, and legislation related to child welfare services. 
12. Provide departmental training and provide training to foster parents when assigned by the Supervisor. 
13. Provide follow-up and related services, as needed. 
14. Maintain up-to-date case files for each assigned child. 
15. Assist with the intake process/documentation for clients accepted into care.
16. Lead the program to design EBT treatment modalities for program success.
17. Create, design, and implement treatment to meet the client’s individual needs.
18. Must be available after hours and weekends to assist with a crisis if needed
19. Contribute to team effort by performing other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities  

• General working knowledge of in-home family therapy, parent education, various treatment modalities, including trauma-informed care. 
• Skills and ability to conduct group therapy as needed.
• Administrative ability and skills to carry out departmental functions.
• Possess a broad base of knowledge regarding services available to clients within the community.
• Must be familiar with clinical documentation such as treatment plans, discharge summaries, treatment recommendations, and clinical diagnoses 
• Ability to prepare necessary written reports.
• Ability to exhibit initiative in asking questions, making recommendations, and independently handling assignments.
• Organizational skills to determine workload priorities and complete a variety of tasks comprising a heavy workload in a timely manner.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and objectivity.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Record-keeping skills to maintain accurate, up-to-date files so that information is readily researched and retrieved.
• Ability to work as a team player and interact/assist all employees as necessary.
• Possess the ability to forge a mutually respectful partnership with children and families, DCS, and stakeholders.  

Physical Demands 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to verbally converse and comprehend effectively.  The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, and reach with hands and arms.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.  Work in a non-smoking area.

Special Conditions 

This position requires a valid driver's license, a good driving record with appropriate level of automobile insurance.  Function on call for emergencies.

NOTE: The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be constructed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.