Clinical Services Specialist II

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.

Job Summary

We are seeking a dedicated and knowledgeable Clinical Specialist II to join our dynamic team. The Clinical Services Specialist will play a crucial role in providing clinical casework and supportive services to stabilize and support clients through the Clinical Services Department. This position requires a strong understanding of casework services to children and families, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supervises, through face-to-face visits and other forms of communication, clients and foster parents 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.
• Develop and maintain the client's chart; Document 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 potential crises.
• Develop 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.
• 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 through positive, nurturing experiences successfully.
• 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/or specialists, child advocacy, transition plan development, and progress reports.
• 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 transportation minimum driver guidelines of the company.
• Ensures children's safety 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.
• Meets all required deadlines associated with caseload on a consistent basis.
• 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 training.
• Report any ethical and legal violations to the supervisor.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• A doctorate or master's degree in social work from a college or university accredited by the Council on Social Work Education or a field related to social work such as sociology, psychology, special education, or counseling, with student placement in providing casework services to children and families. 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 or university accredited by the Council on Social Work Education or a field related to social work, and up to two years of experience in providing casework services to families; OR
• A baccalaureate degree in any field plus three years of experience in providing casework services to children and families.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS

• Proficiency in using electronic health records (EHR) systems and other relevant software applications is advantageous.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a collaborative team environment.
• 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.
• Ability to observe, assess, and document symptoms, reactions, and progress.
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply rules, regulations, policies, objectives, and standards.
• Ability to carry out assigned work and to develop effective work methods per established procedures to meet all required timeframes and deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively with facility staff, families, and clients served.
• Ability to draft correspondence.
• Ability to maintain and establish records and files.
• Ability to work with a variety of behaviors.
• Ability to tolerate verbal and mental abuse from a client in crisis while maintaining a professional demeanor.
• Ability to perform appropriate crisis intervention.
• Ability to transport clients safely to and from their destination.
• Knowledge of transportation and child safety seat laws.
• Ability to complete pre-service and annual in-service CPR, first aid certification training, and all other training required at licensing standards, company policy and procedures, and locality contracts.

CASELOAD REQUIREMENTS

• Per licensing standards, a maximum caseload of 12 total children, and no more than 10 of those 12 children are served in treatment foster care.
• A full-time Clinical Specialist II shall have a maximum caseload of 10 children.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• This position will be required to be "on-call" on a rotation basis.
• Must be at least 21 years of age or older.
• This position will be required to possess a driver's license valid in the state where the worksite is located as the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
• This is a hybrid position that requires a minimum of 2 days in the office per week.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $54, $68,100.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Education:

• Master's (Required)

Experience:

• casework: 3 years (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Winchester, VA (Required)

Work Location: On the road