Clinician with At Risk Youth

The program is a comprehensive, full-service partnership (FSP) for 45 of the highest risk children/youth living in San Mateo County. The program is designed to help children and youth achieve independence, stability and wellness within the context of their culture, community and family/caregiver. The agency seeks to stabilize youth in the community using natural support structures.

The new hire for this position will receive a $5,000 bonus after a year of service!! This is a pro-rated amount to hours worked.

Position Summary
The clinician works collaboratively as a member of a multi-disciplinary team providing community oriented and strengths-based services to children and youth (ages 6-21) and their families. The family therapist will provide short-term intensive family therapy, when it has been identified as a need. S/he will also conduct timely comprehensive assessments, participate in marketing efforts, and complete all of the necessary paperwork associated with the intake process. This position will also share responsibility for ensuring the quality of customer service to youth and referral sources. S/he will give case overviews to program staff at the conclusion of the assessment period.

Core Competencies

• Provides safe, effective, efficient, culturally competent, and youth-centered implementation of direct care in accordance with established policies, procedures, and standards of care.
• Represents agency professionally by doing what s/he commits to doing, taking responsibility for her/his own mistakes, maintaining confidentiality, and carrying her/his fair share of the workload.
• Participates as an engaged team member to improve the overall effectiveness of one’s work group and to achieve shared goals by offering support, providing expertise, listening, and responding constructively in order to find solutions that team members can support.
• Is able to function effectively when under pressure, maintain self-control in the face of hostility or provocation, and manages her/his own behavior to prevent or reduce feelings of stress.
• Demonstrates openness to different and new solutions and is able to see the merits of perspectives other than her/his own within the treatment team.
• Accomplishes work objectives in a conscientious, efficient, thoughtful, and reliable manner.
• Expresses thoughts, ideas, and opinions clearly, fluently, and concisely in written and oral communication; while ensuring that information is passed on to others who should be kept informed.
• Commits to job activities even when obstacles impede progress, develops effective alternative solutions, and uses resources creatively to successfully address unanticipated events.
• Communicates with youth in a therapeutic manner to create safety and facilitate emotional expression, self-awareness, self-esteem, and social skill development.
• Maintains distinct and structured adult/child boundaries. (i.e., no hands on contact with youth)
• Adapts to changes in job demands, work priorities, and organizational structure without adverse effects on one’s job performance.
• Is able to notice and accurately interpret what others are feeling based on their choice of words, tone of voice, expressions, and other nonverbal behaviors and responds by exercising clinical judgment.
• Identifies, plans, and delivers oral and written communications that make an impact and persuade her/his intended audiences.
• Shares information, advice, and suggestions to help others to be more successful.
• Assesses the strengths and needs of youth, families, and support systems.

Essential Functions

• Provides leadership in the assessment, development, implementation and evaluation of individualized service plans, including coordination of multiple services and treatment providers.
• Conducts individual, group, couples, family, and/or multi-family therapy utilizing therapeutic modalities such as CBT, DBT, Narrative, Structural, Trauma Focused CBT, or other best practices.
• Assumes responsibility for configuring, coordinating and facilitating youth services, including collaboration with referring providers, probation, child welfare, school districts, C/Y Staff, and other professionals involved in a youth’s care.
• Assists youth and families in assessing strengths and needs, and helps them identify strategies to meet these needs, including enhancing natural supports and community resources.
• Provides case management services in the interest of youth and family advocacy, secures formal resources, and coordinates care.
• Executes a treatment plan that is strengths-based, with observable and measurable goals, utilizing promising and evidenced based or other best practices.
• Provides psycho-education to clients, family members, and team members.
• Completes documentation, billing, referrals, and required paperwork in a timely manner.
• Maintains confidential health records clients/families that are in compliance with HIPAA, insurance, and the San Mateo County Mental Health Regulations.

Minimum Qualifications

• ASW/ AMFT/ APCC
• Ability to assess the strengths and needs of youth, families, and support systems.
• Knowledge of public and private community resources.
• Ability to maintain billable documentation of services provided.
• Demonstrated ability to work with families in a wide variety of cultural contexts and community settings. (e.g., home, school, satellite clinic, etc.)
• Experience working with children and families that have been or are involved in issues relating to abuse. (e.g., verbal, physical, sexual, and neglect)
• Experience with working within a variety of treatment modalities including family systems work, individual, and group therapy, etc.
• Awareness of substance abuse issues and how they impact a family system.
• Possesses a valid California driver’s license, in good standing, and automobile insurance.
• Is available to work evenings.