Therapeutic Specialist

Metropolitan Ministries, Inc. is seeking a highly skilled Therapeutic Specialist to join our team. As a Therapeutic Specialist, you will play a critical role in providing life-changing solutions for homeless children and families in our community.

• Assess students' needs through observations, school and medical records, tests, and consulting with other professionals, teachers, families, and students.
• Create treatment plans and programs that meet students' needs and interests using a Trauma-Informed Care approach.
• Plan and implement interventions to mitigate the effects of trauma.
• Engage students in therapeutic activities using a variety of modalities, including arts and crafts, drama, music, dance, sports, games, and field trips.
• Facilitate opportunities for students to learn healthy ways to express and manage emotions.
• Facilitate opportunities for students to learn about healthy ways to cope with anxiety, stressors, and depression.
• Facilitate opportunities for students to learn social skills and interpersonal skills to increase communication skills and build self-confidence.
• Record and analyze a student's progress.
• Evaluate interventions for effectiveness.
• Provide training and support to staff teams and to parents to increase effectiveness of interventions.
• Collect and report ongoing data.
• Collaborate with community partners and other disciplines to provide intervention programs.
• Work collaboratively with staff to implement social emotional (PATHS and Second Steps) curriculums within peer groups.
• Design, plan, and facilitate opportunities to increase parent involvement for families.
• Participate in regular team meetings to develop plans for students and monitor progress.
• Complete training/in-service requirements for Childcare Licensing.
• Keep confidential records according to the Ethical Boundaries for Those That Serve. Maintain professional boundaries.
• Demonstrate flexibility in work schedule to ensure that client/program needs are being met.
• Participate in Metropolitan Ministries' holiday efforts, Bridge Builders and other fund-raising events when needed. Provide tours of the facilities and speak on behalf of Metropolitan Ministries as needed.
• Support the team and supervisor in other tasks as assigned.
• Meet personal goals and actively contribute to the achievement of the team and organizational targets/goals as stated in the annual plan.

• A minimum of a B.S. degree in therapeutic recreation, child/human/family development (with child life concentration or minor), or mental health field. Master's degree in related field is desirable.
• Minimum of three years of experience in the fields of recreation therapy or related field for bachelor's level candidates. Direct experience working with children and parents required.
• Bi-lingual preferred. National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) or Child Life Certification preferred.

• Must be able to work effectively with children and parents, representing, and communicating their status and progress to small groups and professionals within a network comprised of the Hillsborough County School District, Metropolitan Ministries' service providers, and applicable and related medical social service providers in the surrounding community.
• Must be able to work within a multi-disciplinary team framework; strong interpersonal and supervisory skills of children; strong oral and written communications skills; strong group leadership and facilitation skills; dependability; demonstrates maturity and sensitivity to cultural and individual differences in clients served; ability to handle job-related matters in a professional, diplomatic, and confidential manner; willing to work with minimal supervision, yet be able to accept direction; well-organized and detail-oriented.
• Requires heart for ministry and comfort working with poor and homeless families and individuals. Requires understanding of poverty, a high degree of maturity, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to work with low socio-economic and diverse populations facing crisis situations in a professional and diplomatic manner. Requires understanding of Social Determinants of Health, ACES, and Trauma-Informed Care approach. Knowledge of community resources available to homeless population. Must demonstrate maturity and sensitivity to issues of faith, culture, and other sources of diversity. Ability to work as part of a team within a multi-disciplinary framework.

• Hearing and speaking ability, which allows for effective oral communication; physical and emotional stamina to effectively handle job-related issues and stress.

• Must pass applicable pre-employment screening and demonstrate legal authorization to work in the United States. Must be available to work during normal school hours and for evening meetings as required. Must pass required background pre-employment screening. Must have a valid driver's license and be able to transport self and clients when necessary.