What are the responsibilities and job description for the Clinical Services Specialist II position at Extra Special Parents?
Company Overview
At Extra Special Parents, our commitment is to secure permanent, loving families for foster children. Our purpose is to improve their outcomes and help foster kids reach their true potential. We believe every child deserves a safe home and a nurturing adult they can trust.
Clinical Services Specialist II
PURPOSE:
To advocate and protect our clients at all times by providing clinical casework and supportive services that stabilize and support them through the Clinical Services Department.
DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Supervises clients and foster parents through face-to-face visits and other forms of communication to ensure the quality-of-care requirements are met according to their assessed Treatment Foster Care (TFC) level.
- Assesses clients placed with the company by reviewing records, talking to referring agencies, requesting documentation needed for their charts, and communicating with the client and family as needed.
- Administers written assessments within the required timeframe determined by Virginia Licensed Child Placing Agency (LCPA) standards and company policies and procedures.
- Develops and maintains the client’s chart and documents observations, progress, and concerns in the client’s chart.
- Submits documentation of all communication and visits to the supervisor for approval within the required timeframe.
- Communicates verbally and in writing, in the client’s chart, all areas of concern or potential problems; update on-call clinical specialist of possible crises.
- Develops Individualized Service Plans (ISP), Comprehensive Service Plans, and Quarterly Service Plans to meet state regulations and to establish/monitor services being provided to the client.
- Conducts home visits as required by DSS.
- Educates and counsels the client and family to meet the service and treatment plan needs and goals.
- Coordinates services with other agencies and providers and ensures the client can access medical, social, educational, and other services appropriate to the child's needs.
- Coordinates all family visits, supervised or unsupervised, with the foster family, referring agency, and community-based services department.
- Attends all interdisciplinary team meetings, such as a court hearing, FAPT, or school meetings.
- Plans and implements constructive, therapeutic activities and behavior management to achieve individual treatment goals successfully through positive, nurturing experiences.
- Provides a positive role model, helps clients develop appropriate relational skills, connects clients to needed resources, and aids clients in attaining life skills specific to the client’s treatment needs and goals.
- Provides direct support for youth implementing daily living skills, employment preparedness and job search, and other skills necessary to prepare for life outside foster care.
- Provides continuity for clients transitioning out of a foster home into their biological family, an adoptive home, an independent living arrangement, or out of care. Services include home visitation, referral to community resources and specialists, child advocacy, transition plan development, and progress reports.
- Provides Individualized training and skill development for parents, which may include conflict management, child development education, developmental and behavioral effects of trauma education, domestic violence education, parenting education and training, parent training with children present, monitoring of the progress of parenting skills, family communication, development of structure and time management, Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) support, behavior modification, budgeting and money management, meal planning and preparation, and development of long and short-term goals.
- Displays knowledge of various licensing policies and procedures at the end of the training period.
- Assist with crisis management.
- Coordinate with referring agencies regarding discharges.
- Counsel clients and families in preparation for discharge.
- Provide transportation for clients when needed.
- Abides by the company's minimum transportation driver guidelines.
- Ensures the safety of children by properly using car seats and seat belts and following all traffic laws.
- Maintains compliance with all client case files.
- Attends program meetings, including but not limited to weekly team meetings, clinical team meetings, community-based team meetings, and any others as required.
- Carry a caseload in Community-Based Services, providing services such as mentoring, supervised visitation, parent coaching, etc., as assigned.
- Meets all required deadlines associated with caseload consistently.
- Occasionally attends and participates in pre-licensing training for prospective foster parents to support the family services department and establish rapport with new families.
- Acts as an on-call employee on a rotating schedule, providing 24/7 support to our families and clients served and receiving emergency referrals for placement within our program after hours.
- Mentors new Clinical Services Specialists, including but not limited to shadowing, file audits and training narratives.
- Facilitates team meetings and trainings.
- Report any ethical and legal violations to the supervisor or HR.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS REQUIRED:
- Ability to maintain appropriate confidentiality and comply with all HIPAA requirements.
- Ability to work under pressure; meet inflexible deadlines; set priorities; and deal with difficult individuals.
- Knowledge of the Therapeutic Community Model.
- Knowledge of Trauma-Informed Care.
- Knowledge of transportation and child safety seat laws.
- Ability to complete pre-service and annual in-service CPR and first aid certification training and all other required trainings by licensing standards, company policy and procedures and locality contracts.
- Ability to establish and maintain organized client files.
- Ability to adhere to the highest ethical standards is essential.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong time management and organizational skills.
EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE:
- Minimum of 3 years of casework/social services experience required.
- A Doctorate or Master's Degree in Social Work from a College/ University accredited by the Council on Social Work Education or a field related to Social Work, such as Psychology, Sociology, Special Education, or Counseling, with student placement in providing casework services to children and families is required. One year of experience in providing casework services to children and families may be substituted for a student placement. OR
- A Baccalaureate Degree in Social Work from a college/University accredited by the Council on Social Work Education or a field related to social work and one year of experience in providing casework services to children and families required. OR
- A Baccalaureate Degree in any field plus two years of experience in providing casework services to children and families required.
CASELOAD REQUIREMENTS:
- Maximum caseload for treatment foster care clients of 10 children.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be at least 21 years of age or older.
- Candidate is required to possess a valid VA state driver's license as it is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
- Must be willing to drive a minimum of 1 1/2 hours or more for visits.
- Must be in the office 2 days on a bi-weekly basis.
- Office location is in Woodbridge, VA, however, candidate must be able to provide services in Winchester and surrounding areas.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $67,000.00 - $82,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Referral program
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday
- On call
- Weekends as needed
Education:
- Master's (Required)
Experience:
- Case Management and Social Work: 3 years (Required)
License/Certification:
- VA State Driver's License (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Winchester, VA (City of Winchester) (Required)
Willingness to travel:
- 75% (Required)
Work Location: On the road
Salary : $67,000 - $82,000