Clinician - Dreams

POSITION TITLE:         Clinician – Dreams Program
REPORTS TO:             Manager, Dreams Program 
BROAD FUNCTION:Provide counseling and mental health services.

1. Demonstrates cultural competence through an awareness of and sensitivity towards Agency’s clients’ and coworkers’ cultural and socioeconomic characteristics i.e., is flexible in presentation of profession self, has the ability to “connect” with diverse populations, and has the skills to integrate culture throughout the clinical process with respect to race, color, creed, religion, gender, ethnicity, language, sexual orientation, age, appearance, mental and/or physical capability, etc.  (* Culture is defined as membership in a group that has shared values, experiences, and beliefs.)
2. Is committed to the value of a nurturing family as the ideal environment for a child and believes in the capacity of people to grow and change.
3. Works from a strengths-based perspective.
4. Understands and works well with other service systems (i.e., child protective, juvenile justice, division on aging, probation, and parole), maximizes resources to assist client.
5. Recognizes that consumers come first and responds to consumers appropriately.
6. Knows and adheres to all FC Policies and Procedures, participates in a Subcommittee and/or keeps abreast of and adheres to QI policies and procedures.

1. Values and participates in the Team as a proactive member.
2. Respects others’ professional opinions and tolerates a range of feelings.
3. Able to give and receive constructive criticism.
4. Willing to take on extra work when needed (i.e., when there is a vacancy).
5. Performs required tasks according to the program philosophy, policies, and procedures.
6. Is courteous, approachable, and cooperative towards others and conducts self in a mature, competent, confident, and respectful manner.
7. Understands and adheres to confidentiality rights of clients, co-workers, and agency, consistent with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), and protects personal health information in written, verbal and electronic forms.
8. Practices self-care has a sense of humor and possesses a healthy work/ life balance important to providing great customer service.
9. Ensures the safety & comfort of others by communicating the presence of hazards, injuries, equipment problems or any need for help and knows the emergency evacuation and all other safety policies (universal precautions, etc.).
10. In times of crisis is willing to help others and communicates urgent information quickly to supervisor / Team.
11. Maintains good attendance (i.e., Maintains FT or PT schedule as contracted, and attendance does not impair or negatively affect the team.)
12. Is punctual for client appointments, meetings, etc.
13. Meets program productivity requirements.
14. Uses good judgment, practices ethical decision-making, and explores all options in problem solving.

1. Attends supervision consistently and comes prepared.
2. Documents supervision.
3. Able to receive feedback and to learn from it.
4. Has insight about self (i.e., strengths and weaknesses) and utilizes that knowledge toward growth and change.

1. Initial Encounter / Intake / Assessment
   1. Responds to requests for phone screens and/or intake assignments with timely and appropriate outreach to client.
   2. Accurately assesses client’s presentation, needs and strengths.
   3. Completes intake in a timely fashion.
   4. Participates in and presents at Intake Review as directed by Manager.
   5. Completes DSM-IV Diagnosis for both mental health and substance use disorders.
2. Engagement, Treatment Planning, and Contracting
   1. Develops a treatment plan to address both mental health and substance abuse disorders, which is completed jointly with the client, not imposed on the client, and incorporates the needs and priorities identified by the client during Intake/Assessment.
   2. Contracts with client in prioritizing time-limited goals, regularly re-evaluates progress, and re-contracts in areas for further growth.
   3. Follows up on “no-shows”/missed appointments.
   4. Re-negotiates treatment plans at minimal 3-month interval for first year, then every six months thereafter, after re-assessing client’s needs/life circumstances, and progress on previous goals.
   5. Maintains collateral contacts with referring agencies including but not limited to, DCPP, Courts, schools, etc.
   6. Observation, collection, and documentation of urinalysis testing

3. Clinical Intervention
   1. Differentiates between the range of normal development and behaviors and pathological adaptations, and then initiates appropriate interventions.
   2. Demonstrates the ability to utilize appropriate interventions in both non-crisis and crisis situations.
   3. Tolerates a range of feelings, affect, and personal presentation without judgment.
   4. Uses a range of approaches according to client need (e.g., individual, group, and family therapies, crisis intervention, (short or long term), and is creative when needed.
   5. Is familiar with and utilizes Creative Arts therapies as this is the foundation of the Dreams program, which is a PALS (Peace A Learned Solution) model.
   6. Prepares appropriate group materials in correlation with group topic.
   7. Acts in the best interest of the client.
   8. Consults with outside providers as applicable.  
   1. Provides case management services as indicated.
   10. Advocates, coordinates, and maintains on-going contact with other providers involved in clients’ care.
4. Documentation and Productivity
   1. Completes documentation as per agency and program guidelines.
   2. Completes all documentation including but not limited to; diagnosis, clinical assessments, therapy notes, treatment plan, strengths and needs, collateral letters, admission and discharge assessments within Electronic Health Record.
   3. Maintains productivity, utilization, and realization benchmarks, as per agency/program guidelines.
5. Discharge / Termination
   1. Identifies when treatment goals have been reached and/or benefits maximized and works toward appropriate discharge.
   2. Discusses progress with client and prepares client for termination, with appropriate and timely discharge planning.
   3. When appropriate, facilitates transfers/referrals for further services.
   4. Consults with clinical and program supervisor regarding termination prior to discharge.
   5. Completes termination paperwork and appropriate discharge planning in a timely fashion.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Education/Certification: Master’s in Creative Arts Therapies, Master’s in Social Work, or equivalent field. LSW, LAC, LPC, LCSW, LMFT or state licensure/certification specific to degree.

Experience: 
Required: Two years’ experience in mental health. Experience with diverse populations in an urban setting.  1- 3 years’ experience working with children/adults/ families who have experienced domestic violence

Candidate is required to complete 40 hours of domestic violence training mandated by the State of NJ upon hire, if not already completed

Knowledge:  Knowledge of psychiatric disorders and various treatment modalities, including group, family, and individual treatment.  Knowledge of community resources, social service, and mental health systems.   Knowledge of appropriate clinical interventions in a crisis and non-crisis situation. Knowledge of appropriate treatment interventions for adults, adolescents and children with mental health, co-occurring diagnoses with or without a trauma. Knowledge of Family Systems Theory and Creative Arts therapies.

Skills and Abilities:  Ability to conduct biopsychosocial assessments and to make a differential diagnosis.  Ability to therapeutically engage adolescents and adults in individual, group, and family session settings. Ability to mobilize individual and family strengths.  Ability to provide or refer consumers assistance in obtaining concrete services.  Ability to create a case formulation and treatment plan. Ability to assess children, adults, and families for abuse and neglect.  Ability to work with hard to reach or resistant consumers.  Strong written and oral communication skills.  Ability to create a warm, collaborative, non-judgmental therapeutic atmosphere.  Ability to set limits and appropriate boundaries with consumers.  Willingness to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Strong written and oral communication skills. Ability to work professionally and collaboratively on a multi-disciplinary team.

Professional Characteristics:  Open, warm, empathic, attentive listener, self-aware, ethical, creative, organized, flexible, open to criticism, patient, responsible, able to work independently, mature, self-motivated, dedicated, enthusiastic, willing to take on additional tasks and responsibilities, interested in seeking additional training and skills.

Work Environment/Physical Demands: The individual must possess the ability to perform work that requires frequent standing, bending, reaching, squatting, kneeling, moving, and lifting of up to or in excess of 50 pounds.*The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job or that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function

Family Connections is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer committed to excellence. Employment offers are made on the basis of qualifications and without regard to race, sex, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, age veteran status, or sexual orientation or other protected classes under the State and Federal law.