Lead Clinician/Therapist

Catholic Charities St. Vincent’s ORR provides residential care and placement support to male unaccompanied minors ages 6 -17 in San Rafael, CA following the guidelines set forth by the Office of Refugee Resettlement. This program provides a safe, nurturing, and supportive environment that serves the whole child through comprehensive medical and mental health care, nutrition, educational programming, counseling, legal assistance, case management, religious access, and age-appropriate acculturation and recreation.

With an emphasis on strengths- and evidence-based, client-centered, and trauma-informed care, delivered by an experienced bilingual staff, we will provide a secure and enriching environment for all youth. An individualized service plan will move each child toward a successful safe and timely release and permanent home placement while building a robust support framework that will follow the child upon entering their new community setting.

Coordinating clinical services, training new clinicians, and supervising the clinical staff. ORR (Office of Refugee and Resettlement) will have final approval of any candidate that is hired for this position.

Demonstrate Leadership:

· Promote professional image of the agency through interpersonal interactions and appearance.

· Develop and maintain professional and supportive relationship with all agency staff, volunteers, ORR, and community.

· Make decisions, taking into considerations, the needs of individuals as well as the organization.

· Demonstrate a team approach with peers and colleagues.

· Discuss a difference of opinion without becoming upset, abusive or otherwise defensive.

· Acknowledge limitations, uncertainties, or mistakes.

· Take a positive approach to problem solving and avoid blaming others.

· Delegate responsibility as appropriate, but maintain accountability for accomplishment of activity.

· Handle unanticipated events and crisis situations in a positive constructive manner- responds personally to clients, family members, volunteers and community leaders.

· Support current trends in professional area of responsibility.

· Demonstrate the ability to see beyond own department to broader organizational needs in resource allocation, i.e. sees the big picture.

· Participate in the on-call rotation for the Catholic Charites St. Vincent’s and follow the procedures when serving in an on-call capacity.

Complete Required Documentation:

· Complete a Mental Health Assessment within the first 10 days of a placement with UC. Have contact within first 72 hours of placement

· to begin assessment.

· Complete ORR Case Review and DPW Monthly Progress Report on all assigned clients.

· Complete clinical progress notes and submit such within the specified time frame.

· Complete Safety Assessment as part of Mental Health Assessment.

· Complete all necessary referral forms.

· Complete all other forms as necessary and requested.

· Complete Safety plans for all residents and update them as needed.

· Complete Discharge Summary and Residential Termination Review for all clients after Reunification/Transfer.

Reunification Planning:

· Establish goals regarding preparation for reunification and behavior management/coping skills within the first 10 days of treatment for

· ORR and first 30 days for DPW.

· Review the ISP goals regularly (at least every 30 days for ORR and every 6 months for DPW).

· Actively participate in Team Meetings.

Coordinate the development of the Individual Service Plan (ISP) for ORR and DPW:

· Assist in the scheduling of the ISP.

· Ensure that the necessary services are being provided which coincide with the identified service goals.

· Collaborate with the team to obtain progress and areas of concern regarding residents

· Encourage participation of all team members in the development of the resident’s ISP.

Collaboration with identified sponsor or family:

· Demonstrate dignity and respect for the identified sponsor or family.

· Maintain communication, via case manager and conference calls as needed, with the family and resident regarding progress and concerns.

· Ascertain, via case manager and conference calls as needed, the family/parents’/sponsors’ input regarding the care of their child.

Coordination of Services:

· Meet with the resident once per week for individual counseling, and once per week in group setting, to address behavior, concerns, and progress regarding UC’s overall psychosocial functioning.

· Facilitate referrals to the appropriate service as outlined in the resident’s Individual Service Plan.

· Maintain ongoing communication with personnel from those services involved in the resident’s treatment.

· Provide support and assistance for the child’s positive participation in group living and community activities.

· Become familiar with community resources and natural supports.

· Collaborate with residential staff and school staff to collect information regarding resident’s participation in program.

Assist in Reunification Planning:

Job Description Continued

· Assist in developing a discharge plan which identifies appropriate supportive services and natural supports, which is clearly defined and identify a continuation of post discharge services, if needed.

· Document efforts made in planning for reunification.

Utilize a team approach to the care of children, support and collaborate with cottage staff:

· Respect youth care workers’ role.

· Collaborate with youth workers, medical department and other departments in meeting the child’s medical, emotional, social, physical and spiritual needs.

· Review Communication Log weekly and/or meet with house staff at least once a week to review progress and areas of concern.

· Attend team meetings as requested by Program Director.

Professional Development:

· Participate in team meetings, supervisory meetings, and other program meetings.

· Demonstrate and utilize skills acquired through supervision and training.

· Maintain confidentiality regarding clients, salary, staff, volunteers and supervision issues.

· Adhere to the guidelines of HIPAA.

· Able to perform word processing tasks, use e-mail and other computer competency skills.

· Attend mandatory trainings and other trainings to enhance professional development, participating in a minimum of 40 hours of required refresher trainings per calendar year—and assure that CPR and CPI training are completed annually within one year of the last date in which the employee last took them.

· Promptly report 1. any civil or criminal convictions, charges, arrests, investigations or adjudications— that may arise since staff member’s last background investigations, including but not limited to 2. having engaged in or attempted to engage in sexual abuse, sexual harassment or inappropriate sexual behavior; having been civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in or attempted to engage in 1. or 2. above.

· Complete assigned tasks within the time frame allotted.

· Provide feedback when difficulties arise in completing tasks.

· Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education & Experience:

· Master’s Degree in human service field, social work or other relevant behavioral science in which clinical experience is a program requirement.

· Must possess a valid license for LMFT, LCSW, or Licensed Psychologist with two years of post-licensure experience.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

· Must meet qualifications to provide clinical supervision to MFT and LCSW interns, associates and trainees.

· Must have supervisory experience and be licensed to provide clinical services in the State of CA.

· Act 33/34 and FBI Clearances Required.

· Candidate must be fluent in both English and Spanish (read, write and speak).

· EOE.

· Demonstrates the necessary attitudes, knowledge and skills to deliver culturally competent services and work effectively in cross-cultural situations.