Clinical Director, Paul T. Leahy, Central Region

Job Description

The Department of Youth Services (DYS) is seeking an experienced and licensed professional for the role of Clinical Director, Paul T.

Leahy Center. The selected candidate will be responsible for oversight in the provision of clinical services within the agency's programs.

Responsibilities include supervision of clinicians, leading cognitive behavioral groups, providing/arranging for individual and family therapy for youth in care or custody, and staff training with emphasis on individual client goals and program development.

The incumbent will work within a secure revocation program facility.

For additional information about the Department of Youth Services and its programs please watch:

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Assist Program Clinical Directors in developing behavior management systems and consult as needed on individual youth treatment concerns.
• Provide clients with direct social services, including casework, group work or other relevant therapeutic models and/or provide assessment, intake, and referral services.
• The incumbent for this position is expected to become certified in DBT within six months of hire. Provide clinical groups on DBT and substance abuse prevention with Department approved curriculums.
• Monitor and support DBT adherence and clinical program compliance to meet clinical standards in all programs.
• Review all 68a evaluations for final approval by the Regional Clinical Coordinator (RCC).
• Assist the RCC in designing and providing training for case work, clinical, and program staff in the Region.
• Assist the RCC through collaboration with the Director of Substance Abuse in the providing of prevention, assessment, treatment and recovery services for residential and community youth.
• Attend district office, inter agency, casework team and residential program team meetings as needed.
• Review clinical documents including clinical assessments, Relapse Prevention Plans, treatment plans, and Individual Service Treatment Plans.

Determine appropriate transition and discharge plans and identify the availability and need for resources.

• Convey information and explain actions to clients with varying expectations, needs, cultures and languages and determine the best means to inform clients concerning what actions will be initiated on their cases. In some instances, clients may be involuntary, hostile and resistant.

Required Qualifications:

• Analyzing information, and using logic to address work or job issues and problems as well as identifying the things that must be changed to achieve a goal.
• Determining the long-term outcomes of a change in operations.
• Developing approaches for implementing an idea and weighing the cost and benefits of a potential action.
• Understanding and applying relevant laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, and agency rules.
• Combining, evaluating, and reasoning with information and data to make decisions and solve problems. These processes involve making decisions about the relative importance of information and choosing the best solution.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in the treatment, counseling and/or rehabilitation of juvenile/adult offenders in a residential setting.
• Proven practice working with adolescents and their families, expertise in crisis stabilization and management.
• Familiarity of principles and practices of the juvenile justice system, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT); Considerable knowledge of state laws pertaining to juvenile justice and juvenile rights.
• Experience working with female adolescents.
• Clinical Psychology Licensure.
• Thoroughness, independence, excellent organizational and written/oral communication skills.
• Strong clinical and organizational skills directly related to the functions of the Department of Youth Services.
• Ability to develop individualized treatment plans taking into account client needs and available services, using a full range of appropriate treatment modalities (including crisis intervention, psychotherapy, family therapy, supportive therapy, intermittent therapy, and/or behavior therapy).
• Demonstrated substance abuse assessment training, Suicide Prevention/Intervention Strategies and experience.
• Knowledge and training in completing psychological assessments.
• Proficient usage of Microsoft Office products including Word, Outlook, and Excel.

Special Requirements:
Minimum Age Requirement: 21 years

• Applicants must have at least a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Must be able to perform the physical requirement of the job (i.e. Ability to properly restrain or subdue youth through appropriate use of handcuffs or other restraint techniques) if necessary.
• Able to talk and/or hear, stand and walk, run, kneel and climb stairs, as well as lift, carry, push, or pull up to 55 pounds with or without assistance and with or without the use of devices and/or equipment to assist in the lifting effort.
• Based on assignment, incumbents may be required to possess a current and valid motor vehicle driver's license at a class level specific to assignment.
• Upon hire, incumbents must complete and maintain a valid certification in crisis intervention, suicide prevention, Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and first aid.

Working Conditions:
Incumbents may be exposed to verbal and/or physical confrontations and potentially dangerous environments.

• Incumbents may be required to physically restrain youth.
• Incumbents typically work a standard work week (five 8 hour shift); however, may be required to work extended hours, nights, holidays or weekends.
• Incumbents may be required to travel in-state and based on assignment may be required to travel out of state.

About the Department Of Youth Services:

As the Juvenile Justice agency for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Department of Youth Services promotes positive change in the youth in our care and custody.

Our mission is to make communities safer by improving the life outcomes for youth in our care.

We achieve our mission through investing in highly qualified staff and a service continuum that engages youth, families, and communities in strategies that support positive youth development.

For more information please go to:

Pre-Hire Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired.

For more information, please visit and click on "Information for Job Applicants".

Pre-Employment Requirements:

Candidates must pass a pre-employment screening which includes: 1) Drug Screening; 2) Psychological Screening; 3) Medical Examination; and 4) Physical Abilities Test (PAT) for direct care positions.

If you would like more information, please logon to the DYS website to access detailed information on the Pre-Employment process.

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the ADA Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form

For questions, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at and select option #4.

Qualifications

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

At least three years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience as a clinical social worker after earning a Master's degree in social work.

Based on assignment to second-level supervisory positions, at least one year of experience must have been in a supervisory capacity.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

• A Doctorate in social work, psychology, sociology, counseling, counseling education, or human services may be substituted for the required nonsupervisory experience on the basis of two years of education for one year of experience.
• No substitution will be permitted for the required supervisory experience. One year of education equals 30 semester hours. Education toward a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

REQUIRED EDUCATION:
A Master's or higher degree in social work is required.

LICENSES:

• Licensure as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Social Work is required.
• Based on assignment, travel may be required. Those employees who elect to use a motor vehicle for travel must have a current and valid Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Operator's license or the equivalent from another state.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package.

We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards

Title 101 CMR "Regulation") requires certain agency staff to have received the COVID-19 vaccination and Influenza vaccination, or have taken required mitigation measures, to prevent viral infection and transmission in State Hospitals and State Congregate Care Facilities. The Regulation applies to this position. Successful candidates will be required to acknowledge and attest to your vaccination status for both COVID-19 and Influenza.

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.

Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements.

We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

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