Community Based Clinical Specialist

The purpose of this job is to provide clinical support and leadership to the Community Based program, including but not limited to comprehensive diagnostic assessment, treatment planning, individual and family therapy for children and families, and training as needed in accordance with all regulatory and contractual requirements, COA and other quality outcomes and measures. The Clinical Specialist guides the treatment team to ensure that interventions are therapeutic, evidence-supported, and medically necessary to assist client with accomplishing goals related to discharge. Community based services are rendered primarily in the home, school and community environments and may also include crisis intervention, skill building, and advocacy.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Serve high-risk families, including those whose children are at substantial risk of placement disruption or who are already in placement and need in-home services to be reunified. Daily
• Schedule sessions at times that are convenient for families, this includes evenings, weekends and holidays. Maintain a flexible workweek. Daily/Weekly
• Schedule and complete client intake sessions within 24 hours of referral. Daily
• Be available to client families 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. Obtain coverage by supervisor or supervisor’s designee if unavailable for an extended period of time (e.g., 12 hours or longer). Daily
• Provide back-up for other therapists. As needed
• Provide a range of clinical, and advocacy services to family members that are consistent with the family’s values, learning styles, lifestyle, circumstances and culture. Daily
• Develop and maintain a positive, professional working relationship with family members. Daily
• Assume responsibility for motivating families and employ motivation enhancement strategies. Daily
• Collaborate with family members and referents in developing intervention goals and service plans. Daily/Weekly
• Utilize evidence-based practices, such as cognitive/behavioral strategies to facilitate behavior change. Daily
• Collaborate and advocate with formal and informal community resources and systems, while teaching family members to advocate for themselves. Daily/Weekly
• Review performance data with supervisor to identify needed areas for improvement. Weekly
• Work with supervisor to complete professional development plans and performance reviews. As needed/Annually
• Comply with all service contract requirements. Daily
• Complete comprehensive biopsychosocial (CBPS) assessment, individual treatment plan, and Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) assessment for community based clients ranging from age 2 to 21 years old, based on interviews, diagnostic tools, clinical judgment, etc. within 30 days of the child’s acceptance into the program. Daily
• Complete initial suicide risk assessments and any necessary safety or supervision plans. Engage in safety planning and crisis support planning whenever a risk is identified throughout treatment. Daily
• Assess safety, structure the environment and use clinical strategies designed to promote safety. Daily
• Conduct quarterly CANS assessment and treatment team meetings with all persons involved in client’s treatment. Assess goal progress and families’ ongoing needs. Quarterly
• Reassess clinical presentation and needs of clients at least annually and complete a CBPS update to document changes. Annually
• Provide individual, family and collateral therapeutic services to clients, to include children accepted into the community based services program and their families as applicable, at a frequency determined by need, contractual and regulatory standards. Daily
• Participate in individual supervision, group supervision and clinical team meetings at least 2-4 times per month depending on licensure to enhance clinical skills, obtain knowledge relevant to the position, and discuss issues related to clinical practice with clients and families. Bi-Weekly/Weekly
• Provide clinical oversight of implementation of the treatment plan and client’s progress through participation in monthly check-ins with client’s treatment team. Monthly
• Participate in monthly client chart reviews to ensure services and documentation meet best practice and regulatory standards. Monthly
• Offers clinical guidance and training to community based staff, clients, and families on issues related to trauma-informed care, meeting the social, emotional and behavioral needs of children in services, etc. As needed
• Complete and submit all clinical and agency paperwork in a timely and accurate manner. Daily
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with referring agency staff and other community professionals. Daily
• Represent the agency in community meetings and on interagency teams as directed. As needed
• Maintain billable census of no less than 20 billable hours per week. Weekly

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in a Human services field (e.g. Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, etc.) is required.
• Professional license or certification in the state of Kentucky is required (e.g., LCSW, LPCC, LMFT, CSW, LPCA, Marriage and Family Associate, LPATA, LPA, etc.)
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record is required.
• Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
• Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
• Must possess leadership ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with co-workers, community partners, clients, and families as well as provide the clinical leadership in the program.
• Must possess the ability to plan, organize, develop, and guide the implementation of clinically appropriate interventions for the children and families we serve.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse individuals, exercise discretion, maintain client confidentiality, and communicate effectively in verbally and in writing is required.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and exercise professional decision making skills and judgment is required.
• Must have CPR/First Aid/AED certification, or be willing to obtain certification.
• Other duties as assigned.

Working conditions

• Works in office area(s) as well as in client’s homes and other community settings (e.g., social services agencies, DCBS offices, schools, etc.). Client home conditions may include tobacco smoke, domestic animals, household pets, roaches, bedbugs, lice, mold and other allergens, and other conditions common to domestic environments.
• Moves intermittently during working hours.
• Is subject to frequent interruptions.
• Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset clients, family members, personnel, and visitors.
• Requires working flexible hours; works beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays as warranted by the needs of the caseload.
• Requires extensive travel to client homes and throughout the community.
• Participates in an on call rotation, providing support to clients and families in times of crisis or emergency needs.

Physical requirements

• Ability to move across uneven terrain, remain sitting for long periods of time, ascend and descend stairs (with or without reliable handrail), and navigate within cluttered, disorganized or unclean home environments.
• Ability to use a computer to access the online client information system to enter required clinical documentation.
• Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.