Clinical Case Consultant

Position Title: Clinical Case Consultant I and II

Department: Teen Parenting Service Network

Reports to: TPSN Clinical Case Consultant Supervisor

Position Objective and Summary:

The Clinical Case Consultant acts as a consultant and liaison to agencies servicing pregnant/parenting youth. In this capacity, the Consultant facilitates healing through Trauma Informed services and Positive Youth Development, by utilizing UCAN's Clinical Philosophy.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Provides Clinical Consultation

Facilitate and participate in staffing's (Clinical, CIPPs, Intake, Discharge, Hospitalization, DCIPPs) with pregnant/parenting youth, which includes the child and family team (GAL, therapist, foster /bio-family when appropriate and other support persons identified by the youth) to assess service needs and implementation of recommended services.

Regularly monitors cases to assess for strengths and risks.

Provides clinical expertise to staff and direction regarding crisis intervention when the individual or their placement is unstable or in crisis.

Demonstrates insight regarding youth's strengths and needs and incorporates this into clinical recommendations.

Identifying and Addressing Youth Needs

Makes plans and decisions based on clinically and developmentally appropriate, best practice, and ethical considerations.

Uses population specific knowledge and expertise in developing clinical recommendations and intervention strategies.

Understands the Mental Health diagnoses of youth and considers those needs in planning services.

Considers any cultural factors that may be impacting the youth or the appropriateness of services, and proficiently addresses them to provide needed services.

Consults with supervisor, other clinical team staff and agency consultants.

Makes internal referrals when appropriate if agreed upon by the Child and Family Team.

Documentation and Reporting

Thoroughly document all case interactions which include but are not limited to: phone calls, emails, faxes, letters, reports and any other written correspondences within the assigned time frame.

Communicates as needed with the case manager and other social service providers about the youth.

Writes reports on youth progress and participation as requested or needed by various providers.

Makes frequent reports to supervisor on progress of youth services.

Maintains accurate, complete and timely service documentation as required by UCAN, TPSN AND DCFS policy and procedures.

Enters updates and maintains accurate data in the DCFS SACWIS and Profile databases, as required, including the documentation all contacts in Profile within one week of occurrence.

Reports all critical incidents, incidents of abuse or neglect, and unusual incidents to supervisor, management, or DCFS as required by UCAN, TPSN or by mandated reporting law and document events within 24 hours of every intervention.

Obtains CANS certification in order to complete CANS assessments for all facilitated DCIPP meetings.

Organization and Service Delivery

Responds in a timely manner to all written correspondence, email and phone call inquiries regarding youth.

Studies, learns and uses UCAN, TPSN and DCFS procedures for providing services to youth. Explains TPSN's services to youth, families and agencies and assists them in the utilization of all available resources.

Organizes and prioritizes tasks in a manner that results in meeting youth needs and in the completion of job requirements.

Adjusts schedule according to program's needs to support the team and its caseload and DCIPP facilitation responsibilities (staff vacancies, vacation, leaves, general coverage).

Building Relationships and Networks

Engages resistant and/or mandated youth in services.

Develops effective helping relationships with young parents.

Develops effective and collaborative relationships with community agencies and collaterals.

Facilitates communication between youth and case management team, in order to work as a cohesive unit in the youth's best interest.

Works cooperatively with other staff members in TPSN, including RSP and ASP staff and TPSN administration.

Professional Development

Attends regular supervision, staff meetings, required training, and other professional workshops to enhance job skills.

Sets annual developmental goals with supervisor to meet learning needs and interests, while also enhancing job performance and skills.

Provide ongoing support to agencies and assigned staff in the form of trainings, seminars, resource referrals, relationship building and knowledge of the Teen Parenting Service Network and associated procedure.

Performs all other duties as assigned.

Professionalism and Work Conduct

Behaves with integrity, demonstrates high ethical standards, and displays a positive image of UCAN.

Acts in a professional manner at all times and maintains appropriate boundaries with clients.

Demonstrates accountability for results and keeps commitments to others

Reports to work, meetings, training, and job related activities prepared and as scheduled

Demonstrates openness and respect for cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and coworkers

Understands and supports UCAN's standard of cultural proficiency and strives to meet it

Responds to clients and their families, UCAN staff, DCFS, service providers and other stakeholders in a timely manner and ensures follow up to adequately address their need.

Performs other related tasks as required or assigned

Education/Job Experience/Certification:

Clinical Case Consultant I

Master Degree in Social Work or a related Human Service field required

At least 2-3 years' experience working with pregnant and parenting youth or in the Child Welfare System.

Supervisory experience preferred.

LCSW or LCPC preferred.

Clinical Case Consultant II: Additional Education /Job Experience/Certification:

LCSW or LCPC required.

Good standing for 12 months as a TPSN Clinical Case Consultant.

Most recent performance evaluation is rated as exceeds expectations.

Demonstration of Leadership qualities within TPSN and the Clinical Team.

Special Knowledge and Qualifications:

Is open and respectful of cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and is willing and competent to work with a diverse client population.

Has an understanding of trauma-informed practice

Has an understanding of Positive Youth Development.

Effective verbal and written communication skills.

Working knowledge of the child welfare system.

Ability to work both independently and a part of a high functioning team.

Experience and ability to use computers for data entry, communication and report writing

Car and valid Illinois driver's license and insurance required.

Ability to transport children in accordance with IDCFS regulations.