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 therapeutic services to children and families in our onsite housing programs.

• 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.
• 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.
• Computer literate with knowledge of Microsoft Access, Word, and Excel required.

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

Metropolitan Ministries, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from diverse candidates.